Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal today said auction of natural resources is not a constitutional mandate but an economic choice.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi along with Finance minister P Chidamabaram and Law minister Salman Khursheed, Mr Sibal welcomed the Supreme Court opinion on Presidential reference regarding 2G spectrum issue.

Finance minister P Chidambaram said if there was any irregularity or
illegality in implementing policy, it must be corrected and those responsible be held to account.

He said all constitutional authorities will bear SC judgement in mind while discharging their constitutional duties. Mr Chidambaram said the government has accepted the judgement that 122 licences will be cancelled and spectrum released from them will be auctioned.

Law minister Salman Khurshid said future decisions will be taken in light of Supreme Court judgment.