FOR PUBLICATION
Copy of the letter addressed to The Prime Minister of
India.
5th October
1999
The Hon'ble Prime Minister of
India,
Government of India,
New Delhi
Dear Shri Atal Bihari Bajpayeeji,
It is true that the
Telephone Regulatory Authority of India is at present in a
confused state. Frequent changes in its policy in a vimsical
manner regarding enhancement in Tariff structure has already created a sense of
insecurity in the minds of telephone/mobile users throughout the
country and that has affected Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumers
in general. People at large throughout the country have lost faith
in TRAI itself.
Mobile users are cursing TRAI
for steep rise in monthly rental from Rs.156 to Rs. 600 alongside the
billing which was at One Second pulse was increased to
20 Second pulse and in addition CLIP Charges of Rs.
75. For instance, BPL Mobile put big attractive
hoardings and distributed leaflets with assurance of Rs. 156/- only as Monthly
rental, One Second pulse billing, Caller Line Identification facility etc...and
attracted subscribers..... where this assurance has gone. Is
this not a cheating to consumers ? Is this not a fit case to be looked in
to by Consumers Court in the interest of consumers at
large?
In fact, I had demanded immediate
removal of TRAI Chairperson Ex-Justice Mr SS Sodhi and to that effect I had
flashed letter to our beloved Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Bajpayee.
TRAI instead of acting in favor of Consumers, it acted for the Profit
Benefit to Mobile Operators, putting the Government itself in most awkward
situation.
Decreasing the rent to Rs.475 is just an eye
wash. Mobile Users throughout the country are of strong
opinion that it was not at all necessary to make any changes in the earlier
structure i.e. Rs.156 as Monthly Rental, One Second Pulse billing, Caller Line
Identification Personal facility. At the most
TRAI should have provided Free Incoming calls to Mobile Users without imposing
Calling Party Pays Policy. This should have been boom to Mobile Phone
Users which would have resulted in increasing Trade, Industry, Commerce and
Consumers at large. There would have surely been a boom to the growth
of Indian Economy.
As a country requires infra structure of proper
roads for goods transport to facilitate trade and fast movement, she does
require the facility of proper affordable communication system through out the
country. And that is what is expected from any Government or the bodies
responsible to the Government to boost the national growth.
I am strong opinion that free Personal
Telephone/Mobile Phone Lines allotted to TRAI, DoT and MTNL officials including
their Chairperson and committee members be withdrawn with immediate effect
so as to make them aware or understand the pinch of Bill Statements when they
have to shell out from their own money purse. These key personnel want and
stress upon to enjoy all these facilities at the cost of public
but they do not wish to provide some sort of solace or adopt in framing Policy
in the interest of public. This notion is most dangerous for the
development of a country.
I fully agree with Mr Phiroze Amroliwalla's view
appeared in Bombay Times of 4th October 1999 that a
comprehensive policy which is fair to all concerned and not just mobile
operators is formed after consulting consumer bodies, individuals, industry and
those affected and due weightage be given to their say.
Everything that is to be adopted should be framed in the
national interest and in the interest of public at large and just not
merely to please some companies or individuals.
I heartily congratulate MTNL for
introducing Mobile Service. Government should also be given
credit for allowing MTNL to function but at the same time I still wonder as to
why Government did not dare to remove TRAI Chairperson Ex-Justice Mr. SS
Sodhi for the injustice and damage he did to communication industry
and to the millions of Phone/Mobile users.
I hope, the new Government coming in to Power at
the Center will adopt a
firm and determined Policy in the larger interest of
public and not merely
to satisfy Mobile Operators.
SHASHIKIRAN VAZE - Vastu Consultant