Pesky calls: Trai issues notices to 900 individuals

NEW DELHI: Telecom regulator Trai today said it has penalised 15 telemarketers till date and notices have been issued to 900 individuals and phones of 90 people has been disconnected for violating norms put in place to curb pesky calls and SMSes.

Trai's regulation to stop pesky calls and SMSes says that if an unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) originates from a subscriber who is not registered with the regulator as a telemarketer, the service provider shall issue a disconnection notice to that subscriber.

It further says the phone shall be disconnected if the the subscriber continues to send such communications.

In case of violation of regulation by registered telemarketers, Trai has recommended penalty ranging between Rs 25,000 to 2.5 lakh for a violation.

"We at Trai are strictly dealing with these matters and will not be loose on anybody violating the regulation," Trai Chairman Sarma JS Sarma said.