Telecom Commission to look into penalty issue

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Commission will shortly decide on a panel’s suggestions to streamline the process of imposing penalties on erring operators, a move which comes after heavy criticism from the industry for a hamhanded way in which the maximum penalty of Rs 50 crore was being levied even for minor violations.

A“warning” would carry a fine of Rs 1 lakh and a “minor” offence Rs 1 crore, with only the offences categorised as “severe” requiring the highest penalty of Rs 50 crore.