In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Kapil Sibal, Minister of Telecommunications and IT, has said that the National Do Not Call registry (NDNC) number, 1909, will be operational in six weeks, thereby helping to curb unsolicited calls and messages.
Users can opt for not receiving messages in seven categories, including real estate, credit cards, consumer durables, banking and finance by registering their number in the NDNC registry.
Once a number is registered, the server will block any unsolicited text message sent by a telemarketer. The NDNC registry is a database that contains a list of all users who do not wish to receive unsolicited commercial communications (UCC).
Sibal added that a fine will be imposed on telemarketers violating these rules. The first offence will entail a Rs 25,000 fine and a similar amount will be imposed on the subsequent five offences, after which the telemarketers? registration will be cancelled.
