MRTPC gives 4 weeks to Airtel to file reply on charges
Anti-monopoly watchdog MRTPC has granted four weeks time to Bharti Airtel to file reply over 'notice of enquiry' issued to it over alleged involvement in cartelisation along with two other big telecom operators, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Anti-monopoly watchdog MRTPC has granted four weeks time to Bharti Airtel to file reply over 'notice of enquiry' issued to it over alleged involvement in cartelisation along with two other big telecom operators, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular.
During the proceedings of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC), a bench headed by Justice O P Dwivedi accepted request from counsels of Bharti Airtel for some more time to file reply over 'notice of enquiry'. Subsequently, the company was given four weeks time to file its reply. Already, Vodafone Essar had submitted its reply over the 'notice of enquiry' while Birla group company Idea Cellular did not turn up during the proceedings.
The MRTPC bench noted down the absence of Idea Cellular. The big three telecom operators - Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular - are facing charges of cartelisation for increasing tariffs simultaneously. The Commission has directed to list the matter in the first week of November for next hearing. Earlier, on April 3, after admitting the report of its investigative unit DGIR, MRTPC had issued 'notice of enquiry' to the GSM trio.
In the report, Director General of Investigations and Registrations had said that the three GSM operators "by colluding" have simultaneously increased the price. The report had stated that despite having different cost factors, structures and profits, they all fixed the tariff of their local call at Rs 1.20 a minute.
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