The Hindu Business Line : TRAI seeks more powers

In a bid to become more effective, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed a slew of measures including increasing the tenure of Chairperson and other Board members to five years from three years and powers to impose punitive measures against operators who violate its regulations.

It has sent a list of demands to the Ministry of Communications. The regulator has also sought amendment of the TRAI Act to allow board members and the Chairperson to take up employment with other Government agencies after demitting office.

As per existing law, a TRAI board member cannot seek employment in Central or State Government agencies or and other statutory authorities.

"Such a move appears unreasonable. The Chairperson and members of the Competition Commission as also of SEBI are eligible for future employment in Central and State Government agencies and local and statutory authorities", said the letter, written by the TRAI Chairman, Mr Nripendra Misra.

On extending the tenure, Mr Misra said: "The three-year tenure is rather short for making effective contribution to the sector. The Competition Act and IRDA Act have provisions for a five-year tenure for the Chairperson and the members. It is accordingly proposed to revise the tenures for Chairperson and members of TRAI to bring it on par with other regulatory authorities."

Spectrum release

In another move, the TRAI has sought vacation of spectrum by non-telecom users like IOC, the Railways, and Rajasthan Atomic Power Corporation to make it available for commercial use by various mobile operators.

The move comes ahead of the recommendations on 3G spectrum being finalised by the TRAI.

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