The Supreme Court yesterday said that auctions are not the only permissible method for disposal of natural resources across sectors. It held that the 2G verdict was confined to allocation of spectrum and is not applicable to other resources.

Giving its opinion on the Presidential reference arising out of the 2G verdict, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia also ruled that common good is the touchstone for any policy and if it meets that, then any means adopted is in accordance with the constitutional principles.

The bench observed that the auction, despite being a more preferable method of allotment of natural resources, cannot be held to be a constitutional requirement for alienation of all natural resources and therefore, every method other than auction, cannot be struck down as ultra-vires of the constitutional mandate.

Welcoming the judgement Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said that all constitutional authority will apply their mind to the judgement and proceed accordingly.