(a) whether any steps have been taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to keep surveillance on and check blackmarketing of telephone lines;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is contemplating to empower the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) & (b) Government conducts raids to check illegal routing of calls by unauthorized service providers. In October, 2004, Government has set up Vigilance Telecom Monitoring Cells in four cities as a measure to curb grey market in telecom traffic. Government as well as various service providers have also issued advertisements in the newspapers as a part of consumer awareness programme. Toll free telephone numbers have also been opened up wherein pubic can give information regarding such illegal activities.
(c) No such proposal is under consideration at present.
(d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.