Cabinet likely to consider National Telecom Policy tomorrow

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet is likely to consider tomorrow the National Telecom Policy ( NTP) that provides for abolition of roaming charges and allows users to retain the same number across the country.

Last week, the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, deferred the NTP pending clarifications on certain aspects by the Department of Telecom.

Departments under ministries like Finance and Commerce had raised objections on the new rules in the proposed policy.

Sources said DoT has now clarified on issues raised by various ministries on the draft note on NTP.

For instance, the Department of Economic Affairs had observed that revenue maximisation cannot be secondary objective in NTP 2012.

DoT, on its part, assured that whenever financial implications arise, a separate proposal would be placed before the competent authority after following due process.

The DoT reiterated its stand that the "primary goal (of NTP) is maximising public good by making available affordable, reliable and secure telecommunication and broadband services across the entire country".

The Commerce Ministry had observed that preference to domestic manufacturers is against the WTO agreement on subsidies. DoT clarified the clause for domestic manufacturers is as per the decision of Cabinet on February 2.