Tata Teleservices has received penalty orders amounting to Rs 38 million from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Maharashtra, for violations of subscriber verification norms.
In an exchange filing, the company disclosed that it has received two notices, one for Rs 34,028,600 and another for Rs 4,100,000. The first order covers the period from April 2007 to April 2012, while the second pertains to March 2010.
As per DoT regulations, telecom operators are required to conduct proper verification of customers before activating services. Non-compliance can lead to penalties ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 50,000 per lapse. The penalty orders issued by the DoT relate specifically to breaches in the Maharashtra license service area.
Tata Teleservices noted that it is currently reviewing the orders and considering its next steps. The company has several options, including filing an appeal with the DoT for justification or reconsideration. If the appeal is rejected, the matter can be escalated to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), and subsequently, if unresolved, to the High Court or Supreme Court.
The company clarified that the financial impact of the penalty is limited to the total levied amount.
