Consumer Events & Programmes

Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, which is the nodal department to look after the welfare of the consumers, conducted a seminar on the issue under the caption "TELECOM SERVICES – CONCERNS OF CONSUMERS" at Chennai on 21.06.2007 wherein the Officials from all service providers under telecom services participated alongwith consumer activists from voluntary consumer organizations, besides Advisor ( Quality of Service ) from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, (TRAI), New Delhi.

The Seminar was conducted as three sessions. After the three sessions was over, the recommendations have been summarized as follows:

• All service providers of Telecom services have to develop additional infrastructure facilities on the basis of increase in number of connections in order to avoid call drops / non connectivity due to congestion.

• A separate vigilance cell to be established by TRAI in every circle to have a close monitoring of the activities of all service providers. The said cell should have sufficient powers to enforce besides should have powers to impose penalty over the service providers for any violation of code.

• Every service provider has to appoint a Consumer Grievance Officer or Nodal Officer to look after the consumer complaints in line with the directives of TRAI. The officer so appointed should be easily accessible besides his / her address with telephone number to be publicised through media and web site.

• TRAI and all service providers including private sector service providers have to conduct periodical meetings with Consumer Groups / Consumers so as to take note of the grievances / suggestions relating to Telecom Services

The above recommendations have been sent to concerned authorities for necessary action.