Despite DoT support, no penal powers for Trai even after a decade

Dept had prepared two draft notes for Cabinet on the issue; however. changing Trai Act needs Parliament's nod, which is a complex process

It’s been more than a decade that sectoral regulator Trai has been seeking penal powers but the despite fact that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has, in the past, prepared two draft notes for the Cabinet regarding the matter, the telecom watchdog is still waiting to be empowered.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) first time sought penal powers in 2007, when Nripendra Misra was the Chariman. At that time, the regulator had sent a comprehensive proposal for amendment of the Trai Act and thereafter, several correspondences were made with DoT seeking such provisions in the Act, which would allow