DoT may file transfer petition

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 18. With the bidding process for the fourth cellular licence mired in litigation in the High Courts of Chennai and Mumbai, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning to file transfer petitions in both the courts.

The DoT is expected to argue that since petitions filed in both High Courts deal with the same (cellular) issue, the cases may be heard in a combined manner at the apex court here. Sources said DoT officials have flown to Chennai and Mumbai this evening to get the written orders to enable them to file the transfer petitions in both High Courts.

According to the original plan, the third and final round for cellular licences in scheduled to take place tomorrow. Officials are waiting for written orders from the courts to decide whether the bidding can take place. The industry major Reliance is out of the race except for Kolkata. Bharti, Hutchison, Barakhamba Sales and the Birla-AT&T-Tata-BPL combine are in contention in most of the circles.

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Section  : National
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