Concern over SIM cards without verification of subscribers

NEW DELHI: A whopping 4.69 crore mobile subscribers in the country are using their cellphones without verified addresses and this situation can work to the advantage of terrorists, a member said in the Rajya Sabha.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Naresh Agarwal (SP) said that according to a CAG report, 4.69 crore mobile users have SIM without verified addresses.

He said there have been instances which point out that terrorists and criminals use mobile phones and now there are news items that Pakistani SIMs will also be available in India.

Noting that mobile companies issuing the SIM card are supposed to verify address of the subscribers before issuing it to them, the SP member said, "All the seven telecom companies have violated the rules...TRAI slapped a penalty of Rs 4,200 crore on them but the companies refused to pay the money."

Agarwal rued that while action is taken to realise money in other matters, the government has "done nothing" to realise the penalty from the mobile companies in this matter.

"It is dangerous. 4.69 crore mobile SIM cards have been issued without address proof...take action against them. Addresses should be verified," he said.