The Hindu : MPs press for rollback of phone tariffs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 08, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

MPs press for rollback of phone tariffs

By Anita Joshua

NEW DELHI MAY 7. The Government was put in the dock by its own members in the Lok Sabha today when the BJP joined hands with its NDA allies and the Opposition to press for a rollback of the new telephone tariffs. Though the Communications Minister, Arun Shourie, sought to allay the fears voiced by the members, his reply left a majority of the MPs dissatisfied resulting in a walkout by members of the Shiv Sena, the JD (U) and the Samata Party.

The new telephone tariffs dominated the proceedings during the pre-lunch session with some members moving into the well of the House during question hour demanding a rollback. While the Congress and the CPI (M) members clamoured with the Shiv Sena and other allies lending support, the Speaker insisted on running through the listed questions.

The onslaught from the NDA benches was led by the Telugu Desam Party and the Shiv Sena. As the chorus of objections gained momentum, the BJP chief whip, V. K. Malhotra, joined in leading to a heckling of Mr. Shourie by the BJP members. Though the Minister was ready for a discussion and the Speaker said it could be slotted in this session itself, the members insisted on a statement.

The main charge against the Government was that the new tariff for fixed phones was designed to benefit private cellphone operators, and two Shiv Sena members — Chandrakant Khaire and Shivaji Mane — sought to make their point by placing their cellphones on the officials' table.

As question hour drew to a close and the members showed no signs of relenting, the Speaker reprimanded them and restored order with an assurance that the Minister would make a statement during zero hour. For his part, Mr. Shourie attributed the members' apprehensions to a January order of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Maintaining that this tariff regime had been reviewed and that many of the TRAI's recommendations had not been accepted, he said there was no increase in the rentals of either rural or urban telephones.

Members criticised the "steep hike" in calls made from fixed phones to cellphones and the reduction in free calls. Mr. Shourie said there was no increase in the pulse rate for fixed-to-fixed calls. He also countered the allegation that the new regime favoured cellphones. According to him, MTNL and BSNL had been given the "fullest freedom" to "out-compete" other operators.

As none of their complaints was addressed by Mr. Shourie in his response, many of them walked out, alleging that the Minister had misled the House.

Related Stories:
TRAI chairman defends new phone tariff

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

"Pak. needs to take firm, credible steps"

Our CBMs far larger: Pak.

Bill not dropped, PM tells women

MPs press for rollback of phone tariffs

Indian patient in Beijing 'SARS-free'

Bhagalpur riots: 6 convicted

Bengal CM's directive

Ultras butcher 31 in Tripura

DDA scam: Hotelier remanded

Ex-judge's remand extended

UP introduces quota in judiciary