Soon recharge pre-paid phones after proving identity

NEW DELHI: The telecom department on Monday told the Supreme Court that over 90 per cent pre-paid SIM card holders will only be allowed to recharge their phones after proving their identity.

This programme will take off in a year, Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi told a bench led by Chief Justice of India Khehar.

Those having pre-paid cards will only be allowed to recharge on showing proof of identity based on valid papers whether Aadhar cards or any other such proof.

This is to deter financial frauds and criminal activity, the court was told. The order came on a PIL.

Over ninty per cent of Indian phone subscribers hold pre-paid SIM cards and only less than 10 per cent hold post-paid card SIM cards.