The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released draft Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (Sixth Amendment) Regulation, 2023.
TRAI had notified the Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund Regulations, 2007 [(6 of 2007) on June 15, 2007. In terms of these regulations, a fund called the “Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund” (TCEPF) was created. The income generated by the TCEPF is utilised to undertake activities such as conducting consumer outreach programmes, seminars, workshops, developing educational and awareness material, etc. for dissemination of information to the consumers. The activities are planned by the Committee for Utilisation of Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund set up under the regulations.
The authority has observed that for preparation, maintenance and audit of accounts and for the participation of representatives of consumer groups for attending the meetings of CUTCEF, expenditure are to be incurred from TCEPF and provisions are required in the regulations. Accordingly, amendments have been proposed in regulations 6 and 13 of the principal regulations.
During the year 2020, Corporation Bank, in which the TCEPF is maintained, has been merged with the Union Bank of India. Further, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986) has been repealed by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019). Therefore, amendments have been made to change the relevant provisions in the principal regulations.
TRAI has invited comments from stakeholders by August 14, 2023.
