Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) | About, Composition, Removal and Key Objectives

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in News

• Recently, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology inaugurated a seminar to commemorate the 25 years-long journey of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act.

 

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• About: TRAI was established with effect from February 20, 1997, by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997.
  • Setting Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was necessary after opening up the telecommunication sector to private operators.
• TRAI Headquarters: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s headquarter is located in New Delhi.
• Legal Status: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory authority set up under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997.
• Mandate: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s mandate is to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services.
  • These responsibilities were earlier vested in the Central Government.

Major Reforms in Telecom Sector

 

Key Objectives of TRAI

• Growth of the Telecommunication Sector: TRAI’s mission is to create and nurture conditions for the growth of telecommunications in the country.
• Regulating Telecom Services: TRAI regulates telecom services including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services that were earlier vested in the Central Government.
• Ensuring Fair and Transparent Policy Environment: TRAI also aims to provide a fair and transparent policy environment for the telecom sector.
  • This promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.

 

Composition of TRAI

• TRAI Members Appointments: TRAI members are appointed by the Government of India.
• TRAI Members: The TRAI consists of-
  • A Chairperson,
  • Two whole-time members and
  • Two part-time members
• Tenure of TRAI Members: The Chairperson and other members shall hold their office for a term of three years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• Chairperson: The Chairperson has the powers of general superintendence. He/She presides over the meetings of the TRAI.
• Vice-Chairperson: The Central Government may appoint one of the members of the Authority as the Vice-Chairperson of TRAI.
  • Responsibility: He/She exercises and discharges the powers and functions of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

 

Removal of TRAI Members

• Removing Authority: The Central Government is empowered to remove any member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
• Grounds of Removal: TRAI Act mentions following grounds on which the central government can remove a TRAI Member. A person can be removed from TRAI office if he/she-
  • has been adjudged an insolvent
  • has been convicted of an offence that involves moral turpitude
  • has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a member
  • has abused his/her position; rendering his/her continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.