Idea fined Rs 2.9 crore for overcharging

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( Trai) has directed Idea Cellular to pay Rs 2.97 crore for overcharging consumers in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, for calls terminating on BSNL and MTNL networks between May 2005 and January 2007.

The carrier, which is undergoing a merger with Vodafone India, has been given 15 days to submit the funds to the Telecom Consumers Education and Protection Fund (TCEPF), for complying with the order issued on Friday.

“In exercise of powers conferred upon it under Section 13 read with clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, the authority hereby directs Idea to deposit the amount of Rs 2,97,90,173 charged in excess from its subscribers during the period from May 2005 to January 2007, as computed by Idea, in TCEPF and report compliance within 15 days of issue of this direction,” the Trai said in a notice on its website.

Idea did not respond to ET’s email seeking comment.

The regulator said the carrier levied a differential tariff from one service area to another service area within the same state, which was discriminatory and inconsistent with the amended licence conditions notified by the telecom department in May 2005.