Grahakjago (S.K.Virmani)©

DTH services:- Recently framed TRAI Regulations - Are these regulations really new or framed to enhance the financial burden on the common citizens or something behind the curtain?   Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recently have brought out regulations on DTH with a sole objective to reduce (being so called) the monthly expenditure bill of the common citizens and accordingly termed it as the key USP. Is it really the sole objective or there is something beyond the curtain which may not be visible? The rules have been framed by TRAI to be effective from 1 st February 2019 and the existing subscribers were asked to opt for the same by 31 st January 2019. However, the deadline now has been extended to 31 st March 2019. My views to new regulations of TRAI effective from 1st February 2019 is:  1.      First of all the deadline for opting to the new regime of DTH is not understood as to what is the objective of such a dea...

Whether the move of telecom service providers for not supplying hard copy bills to consumers for telecom connection is really for saving paper?  The telecom industry in India is initiating a move to deregulate supply of post paid bills in hard copy to telecom subscribers and it is surprising that TRAI also seems to be considering the same even though supply of hard copy bill is laid down in Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. TRAI has already issued consultation paper for the same. The main reason behind such a move has been indicated to save cutting of trees for paper usage being used in delivery of printed bills by telecom companies to the consumers.  While it is a welcome initiative of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to place an environmental friendly system to save cutting of trees for paper usage being used in delivery of printed bills by telecom companies to the consumers, therefore, we should encourage dispensing with use of paper for hard copy generation ...

Unethical business practices by telecom service providers in life time validity plans subscribed by prepaid category of mobile subscribers- An article as titled above was brought out on 28/12/2018 in this blog indicating unethical business practices of the Telecom Service Providers on their prepaid and postpaid telecom connections. The link to the article is: https://skvirmani-jagograhak.blogspot.com/2018/12/unethical-business-practices-by-telecom.html The telecom service providers had launched a scheme “life time validity” plans for mobile subscribers wherein the mobile users were being offered free incoming calls for which no recharge for its validity was required against one time charge. It was ranging from various amounts varying from company to company, the most prominent being Rs. 999/-. These plans were announced by telecom companies more than a decade back. The subscribers were required to recharge with talk time value recharge vouchers if the subscribers wish t...

An appeal to Indian Railways to withdraw deduction of cancellation fee from wait listed tickets! Cancellation fee from wait listed passengers As per Railway Rules for refund of wait listed tickets which could not be confirmed till preparation of chart:    1. Ticket need to be presented for cancellation half an hour before scheduled departure of train   2. An amount of Rs. 60/- shall be deducted towards clerkage charges which prior to 12.11.2015 was Rs. 30/- Both these rules seem to be anti-consumer. First of all when it is wait listed, why half an hour prior to the departure of train should be stipulated. In case of hard copy of ticket the intending person looks to be penalized as the confirmation or otherwise is known at the time of preparation of chart which in most of the cases is 2-3 hours prior to scheduled departure of train and the person had to rush for its refund and then if the intended person reaches in time, another amount of Rs. 60/- gets d...