SC expresses concern over mobile cable tariff irregulations

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the tendency of mobile phone companies and cable operators looting the people at will. The damaging observation which is in conformity with the grievances of the consumer was made by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan sitting along with Justice P Sathasivam. The apex court was hearing the petition filed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), according to which the striking down of its tariff regulations had put the consumer at the mercy of broadcasters who generally club a popular channel with not-so-popular channel and offer them as a bouquet, leaving the consumer with the option to take all or none. Mobile service providers usually fleece the consumers by subjecting them to inflated bills. Senior counsel Harish Salve contended before the court that TRAI was ready to rework the tariff guidelines, but protested against the plea of the broadcasters that in the interim the 2004 tariff structure should be allowed to continue. According to TRAI, if this is allowed 13 million new subscribers and 260 new channels which came into existence after 2004 would be out of the regulators purview. Senior counsel S S Nariman, appearing for the broadcasters, described that TRAI’s tariff guidelines as "irrational" as a cap has been put on the tariff of channel and the bouquet system has been rendered defunct. TRAI has done nothing to protect the interest of broadcasters and the cable operators demand has been raised from Rs nine crore to Rs 33 crore. The apex court fixed April 30 for considering the interim arrangement and also to consider the fixation of distribution charges.

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