Panel suggests processing of Trai recommendations by Telecom Commission

A one-member committee of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has suggested all recommendations of the sector regulator be placed before the Telecom Commission (TC) within 60 days from their receipt. The TC is an inter-ministerial body, with financial and administrative powers, which sets policy for the sector. The recommendations are under process.

Once the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) sends its recommendations on any issue, the members concerned at the DoT would examine and analyse these and send the details to the TC within 60 days, it has been suggested.The approval of the TC chairman and DoT secretary should be placed before the TC in its immediate next meeting for consideration. If the authorities concerned need additional time to examine and analyse the TRAI recommendations, a note seeking extension in time, stating reasons and time required, shall be given to the TC chairman and DoT secretary within 60 days from the receipt of the recommendations.

The decisions of the TC should be communicated to the authorities concerned immediately after the approval of minutes by the TC chairman and DoT secretary. Further, the decision of the TC on Trai recommendations, along with reasons, also need to be communicated to Trai by the divisions concerned immediately after the final decision is taken. A copy would be sent to the TC chairman, is the recommendation.