Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a)whether the leakage of ADC revenues for ILD calls is still continuing;

(b)if so, whether Government would explain what foolproof methods have been put into place to ensure that this doesn`t repeat;

(c)whether some private companies and their managers role are being investigated by the CBI, however there has been no mention about the roles of the regulator or with relevant officials of DoT in this scam; and

(d)what action Government have taken in this regard or intend to take in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) & (b)     A new framework of Access Deficit Charge (ADC) has been prescribed with effect from 01-03-2006 as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Regulation viz. `The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixth Amendment) Regulation (1 of 2006)`. One of the reasons for prescribing this framework of ADC is to avoid any grey market.

(c)     Economic Offences Wing of CBI Chennai has registered a case against M/s Reliance Infocomm Ltd. (RIL) for causing loss of ADC due to manipulation of Calling Line Identity in 2004.

(d)      Government after following the due process as per provisions of the license agreements levied a penalty of Rs. 50 crores each against the Unified Access Service Licences of Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkatta of M/s RIL. M/s RIL appealed in the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), however, the appeal was dismissed. M/s RIL paid the penalty of Rs. 150 crores in March, 2005. M/s RIL further filed a Civil Appeal in the Hon`ble Supreme Court of India against the judgement of the TDSAT and the matter is subjudice.

Also Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) filed complaint against M/s Reliance Infocomm Ltd. (RIL). MTNL and BSNL raised bills amounting to Rs. 341.27 crores and Rs. 319.04 crores respectively on M/s RIL which have been paid by M/s RIL. The matter is subjudice.