GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Feb. To address the persistent issue of pesky and promotional calls disturbing consumers, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has formed a dedicated Committee. Comprised of members from various sectors including the cellular industry, regulatory bodies, and telemarketing companies, the Committee aims to draft comprehensive guidelines to address this nuisance.
Chaired by Shri Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), the Committee convened for a crucial meeting on February 14, 2024. During the discussion, the Committee deliberated on the challenges posed by unsolicited commercial calls, recognizing their infringement upon consumer privacy and rights. Notably, it was observed that the majority of these calls originate from the financial services and real estate sectors. Furthermore, there was concern over the shift towards internet-based calls, particularly via platforms like WhatsApp, for promoting fraudulent schemes such as ponzi schemes, crypto investments, and fake job offers.
Efforts have already been initiated by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to tackle the issue of spam messages and pesky calls. Telemarketers have been instructed to register their business entities, sender IDs, and SMS templates on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platforms, such as those operated by major telecom operators. TRAI’s introduction of DLT-based regulations aims to enhance transparency, combat SMS spam, and safeguard consumers from fraudulent practices.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that registered telemarketers from various sectors, including banking, financial services, real estate, and e-commerce, have been advised to prefix their phone numbers with the 140 series to facilitate consumer identification and control over call preferences. However, non-compliance persists among unregistered telemarketers, necessitating strict adherence to regulatory provisions.
The meeting saw participation from key stakeholders including representatives from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), TRAI, Cellular Operations Association of India (COAI), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Vodafone, Airtel, and Reliance. The collaborative efforts of these entities underscore a concerted commitment to combatting the menace of pesky calls and promoting a safer telecommunication environment for consumers across India.
