``I believe in doing the right thing and forgetting the rest,'' Jagmohan, who has been shifted to the Urban Development Ministry, told PTI in an exclusive interview when asked if he considered his `shift' to the new Ministry a punishment.

``Allocation of portfolios is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. Anyway Urban Affairs was always my love and I had given this indication (sic) to Prime Minister when I was inducted in the Cabinet,'' he said a day after taking charge of the new Ministry. Categorically denying that he discriminated against private cellular operator Koshika telecom while terminating its licence for three circles for non-payment of licensing dues while giving concession to others, Jagmohan said ``all the cases were referred to Attorney General and action was taken only after hisadvise.''

``There can't be two sets of laws in the country. When I disconnect a common man's phone for delay of even a day in payment of bill, how can big companies go scot free even after defying the extended days for payment,'' he quipped.

Asked why he extended the effective date of licence period for payment of fees in case of Srinivas telecom but denied extension to Koshika, which wanted approval to raise money through full convertible debenture (FCDS) in the international market, the Minister said `Srinivas' case was referred to AG (Auditor General) and Attorney General. Telecom Ministry acted ``accordingly.''

Jagmohan said all his actions were financially, legally and constitutionally approved by the Auditor General, Attorney General and the courts. ``If we don't ask for the dues the whole purpose of signing the contract gets defeated and this would send very wrong signals among foreign investors,'' he said.

Countering private telecom operators' argument that his summary action could deterforeign investment, Jagmohan said nobody could be allowed to violate contracts as this would send wrong signals.

Jagmohan declined to be drawn into reports relating to his differences with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee dating back to February when the latter's intervention had enabled an extension for payment of licensing fees arrears by the private telecom operators.