The Hindu Business Line : `TRAI can't be fully independent'

The outgoing Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Mr Pradip Baijal, on Monday said the telecom regulator couldn't be fully independent, given the Government's political compulsions.

A day before his three-year term comes to an end, Mr Baijal told Business Line: "TRAI is independent, but it cannot be totally independent of the Government which has a mandate towards the people. Therefore, the Government has the right to advise the regulator according to its policies."

On whether the regulatory system in the country should go through any reforms, Mr Baijal said it was not for TRAI to demand more powers or seek a change in law. "Instead of working on theories and worrying about the system, I have sought to emphasise on commitment to whatever we do in the given circumstances. It is for this reason we are seeing 35 per cent growth every year in the telecom sector."

Dismissing the differences with the Communications Ministry during his tenure as "fictional," Mr Baijal said the Government was right in expressing its concerns.

"Section 25 of TRAI Act is there for a reason and the Government has the powers to issue any directive in line with its policy vision."

On the future of telecom, Mr Bijal said the laws to meet the challenges posed by convergence had to be brought in quickly to bring in more investments.

"Investors are looking for clarity on laws relating to convergence. We are looking at a situation where the operators are allowed to use any technology and offer any services without having to come to the authorities for clarification or permission each time they introduce something new. Technology specific licences have created confusion in the past and this should be cleared if we have to attract more investments," Mr Baijal said.

The TRAI chief said creating a critical mass for cable TV and broadband were the next policy objectives, as also taking measures to resolve the complexities around interconnection between operators.

"Voice has already got a critical mass. Now we need to create mass for data. Interconnection is also going get complex as convergence sets in fully," Mr Baijal said.

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