Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal has launched a severe attack on the bureaucracy. He has threatened to divest bureaucrats of their power in his ministry. He was responding to a complaint lodged by Bharti Airtel’s CEO asking how the company could be fined Rs 650 crore for an alleged violation. The violation took place in thirteen telecom circles in which the company operates. The law allows a maximum penalty of Rs 50 crore for each circle. The bumbling bureaucrats simply multiplied Rs 50 crore by 13. The company thinks that the sum is excessive and wants settlement in court. The bureaucrats’ case is that a more reasonable fine would have invited the charge of collusion from the CAG, the CBI or the CVC. Kapil feels that the solution lies in transferring the power of imposing penalty to the telecom regulator. The bureaucratic action against Bharti Airtel seems anti-industry and shows policy paralysis. The claims levelled by the taxmen indicate it in several cases
The rot has set in affecting most ministries. For instance the question has arisen in the case of RIL’s KG Basin gas. Should the company be punished for supposed shortfall in gas production? Is it guilty of reducing production till the time when prices zoom up? The petroleum ministry has to take a decision. However, the matter has to be sent to the cabinet to arrive at a collective view. With regard to a new bidding document in the critical sector of power, the matter was also referred to the cabinet. The bureaucrats could not decide. It resulted in a deliberate slowing down of the process of decision making. Sibal has hit the nail straight on the head.