Asso.Of Unified Tele.Serv.Prov.& Ors vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the powers and duties of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding the computation of revenue for licence fees and spectrum charges under Unified Access Services Licences. The Court emphasized that spectrum is a finite natural resource belonging to the public, and its distribution must adhere to constitutional principles, particularly Article 39(b), which mandates that material resources be distributed to serve the common good. The Court held that the State must act in accordance with public trust and equality principles when managing natural resources, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive legislative framework for their protection.