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

(a)        whether the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act which came into being in 1997 and in which many amendments have already been made, still has many shortcomings for which further amendments are required;

(b)        if so, whether the shortcomings have been identified by Government;

(c)        if so, the details thereof; and

(d)        by when, necessary amendments are proposed to be made in the said Act?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI A. RAJA)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE RAJYA SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 103 FOR 22ND NOVEMBER, 2007 REGARDING SHORTCOMINGS IN TRAI ACT.

(a) to (c) TRAI Act 1997 was amended once in January, 2000 by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment)Act, 2000. Subsequently a proposal has been received from TRAI for certain amendments to TRAI Act, 1997, to address various issues relating mainly to more operational freedom to TRAI and administration of broadcasting services.

(d) The amendments proposed by TRAI in the TRAI Act, 1997 requires inter-ministerial consultation before finalization of Government’s views in this regard. No definite time-frame can, therefore, be given for carrying out the proposed amendment or otherwise.