ASSO.OF UNIFIED TELE.SERV.PROV. vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed the powers and duties of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding the computation of revenue for license fees and spectrum charges under Unified Access Services Licences. The Court emphasized that spectrum is a finite natural resource belonging to the public, and the State must act in accordance with the principles of equality and public trust in its distribution, as mandated by Article 39(b) of the Constitution. The judgment reinforces the need for constitutionalism in the management of natural resources, holding that the existing framework lacks comprehensive legislation for their protection.