The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has notified Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2024 on June 14, 2024.
The principal regulations i.e. the Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund Regulations, 2007 (6 of 2007) dated June 15, 2007 provide basic framework for depositing unclaimed money of consumers by telecom service providers, maintenance of the telecommunication consumers education and protection fund and other related aspects.
However, the principal regulations were amended due to some reasons, including:
- Provision for utilisation of fund for expenses related to proper maintenance and audit of accounts, and for the participation of representatives of consumer groups for attending the meetings of the Committee for Utilisation of Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (CUTCEF).
- Permitting any scheduled bank for the purpose of depositing the amounts of the telecommunication consumers education and protection fund.
In this regard, a draft amendment was released for comments on July 24, 2023.
After considering the comments of the stakeholders, TRAI has notified the sixth amendment to the principal regulations.
