‘Spectrum Grab’ is claimed to be the first book to be launched on the second generation (2G) telecom scandal. The book has been authored by Bhupesh Bhandari, Senior Associate Editor, Business Standard in New Delhi.
With a cover price of Rs 350, ‘Spectrum Grab’ is a comprehensive and objective account of the scandal that has rocked the Indian government and has sent a Union Minister, a chief minister’s daughter, bureaucrats and several businessmen to jail.
Ever since it broke out into the open, the unfolding drama and deceit has held the attention of the nation. The impunity with which laws were subverted, in the open and without fear of retribution, has corroded public trust in politicians, businessmen, bureaucrats and even media.
The scam has left a trail of unanswered questions. Can one ever put a figure to the loss – notional and real? Who and how many should be held responsible? And can telecom, one of the early beneficiaries of economic reform, ever shake itself free from the shadow of its wheeler-dealers? ‘Spectrum Grab’ follows the question trail and tracks just how the words 2G and scam got permanently and irrevocably inked together.
Bhandari has earlier penned a book titled ‘The Ranbaxy Story’ in 2005 and co-authored ‘The Satyam Saga’ in 2009. His forthcoming book is a biography of Lala Shri Ram of DCM.