In compliance with a TRAI directive, Bharti Tele Ventures Limited (BTVL) has refunded Rs 327.3 million levied by it on subscribers for migrating to revised tariff plans. The operator had collected a total of Rs 354.9 million as one-time fees, ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 200, from existing subscribers for switching to revised plans with lower charges. Such a fee is in violation of the provisions of the Telecommunication Tariff Order, 1999. Accordingly, TRAI issued a directive asking Airtel to refund the migration fee charged from subscribers. The difference between the total refund due and the total refund made is Rs 27.6 million, which would be put in separate dedicated accounts, according to a TRAI statement.
