TRAI Seeks to Penalise, Jail Telecom Operators Over Call Drops

TRAI is seeking to impose fines upto Rs. 10 crore on telecom operators for call drops. (Photo: iStockphoto)

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has written to the government requesting amendments in the TRAI Act, seeking to allow imposition of penalties on telecom operators over call drops.

According to The Hindu Business Line, the regulatory body wants to impose a fine of up to Rs 10 crore on the operators and a jail term of up to 2 years on their executives for violation of regulations.

While consumer protection is mandated in the Preamble of the TRAI Act, in the absence of explicit provisions under the Act, courts have not favourably viewed efforts to protect the interest of consumers. Thus, there is a need to explicitly provide for such provisions under the TRAI Act.

TRAI’s Letter to the Government

Currently, TRAI can impose a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh for a violation, and in case the default continues, a penalty of Rs 2 lakh can be imposed till the time the rules are not adhered to.