To
Shri A K Lahoti
Chairman
TRAI
Dear Shri Lahoti,
I write this letter in continuation of my earlier letter of July 10th, 2024 on how unilateral tariff hikes by the two telecom service providers, without any regulation whatsoever either by TRAI or the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has adversely affected the interests of millions of customers across the country (https://countercurrents.org/2024/07/the-two-telecom-companies-have-unilaterally-hiked-tariffs-to-raise-additional-profits-of-over-rs-100000-crores-per-year-should-not-trai-raise-its-voice/)Neither TRAI nor DOT has not only failed to safeguard the interests of customers but it looks as though the telecom service operators have your tacit approval for their anti-customer decisions.
The latest reports suggest that, encouraged by TRAI/DOT’s inaction, Bharti Airtel, one of the two companies is on the verge of hiking up tariffs once again (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/bharti-airtel-md-gopal-vittal-backs-another-tariff-hike-heres-what-he-said/articleshow/114727835.cms)
According to recent reports (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/earnings/bharti-airtel-q2-results-net-profit-soars-168-yoy-to-rs-3593-crore-revenue-jumps-12/articleshow/114690626.cms), Airtel’s net profit for the quarter ending in September 2024 jumped 168% to Rs 3,593 Crores compared to its profit for the corresponding period last year and the company still wishes to multiply its profits, not by cost-cutting, but by fleecing its customers.
It is unfortunate that both TRAI and DOT have become mute (or willing?) actors in this continuing plunder of millions of customers who are left with no one to look to for relief, as it is DOT that is directly responsible for creating such a monopolistic situation.
May I appeal to you to act once on behalf of the customers and putastop to this open loot?
Yourssincerely,
E A S Sarma
Former Secretary to the Government of India
Visakhapatnam
