Delhi Consumer Court penalizes tele-callers

CyberMedia News New Delhi, Jan 19

For the first time in the country two financial institutions and
a mobile operator have been penalized for making unwanted calls to subscribers.
On the basis of a petition filed by a mobile subscriber on receiving unsolicited
calls, The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission imposed a joint
fine of Rs 25 lakh on ICICI Bank and American Express Bank. Airtel and the
Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) were also asked to pay a joint
penalty of Rs 50 lakh.

The commission, headed by Justice JD Kapoor, issued the order
based on a petition filed by a Saket-based lawyer who was an Airtel subscriber.
Considering the growing dissatisfaction among consumers over unsolicited
telemarketing calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had
initiated a consultation process in November 2006, with the objective of
reducing the bulk of unsolicited commercial communications. Rather than putting
a blanket ban on the telemarketing activities, TRAI has suggested to reduce the
number of telemarketing calls to the subscribers, who are not interested in
receiving them. Through a letter, COAI suggested a penalty for violating the
do-not-call clause. The subscribers who have enrolled under this clause should
not be disturbed.