The move to regulate pesky calls comes in response to widespread consumer complaints about the increasing volume of unsolicited calls and messages
Dhirendra Kumar
Published25 Jul 2024, 12:56 PM IST
The last date for submission of comments is now 5 August. (Image: Pixabay)
New Delhi: The government on Thursday extended the date for stakeholders to submit comments on proposed rules for preventing and regulating pesky calls by a fortnight.
The last date for submission of comments, which was extended after various industry bodies and other stakeholders requested more time to submit their replies, is now 5 August, the consumer affairs ministry said in a statement.
Mint first reported on 4 March that the government plans to introduce the proposed guidelines to regulate unsolicited calls.
The department of consumer affairs has received several suggestions from stakeholders, including consumers, and is examining them, it said. Central ministries were also asked to send suggestions by 21 July.
Regulating unsolicited calls
The government plans to make it illegal for companies to make unsolicited calls or send unwanted text messages to promote their services or hire agents to do so on their behalf from unregistered numbers.
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The move to regulate pesky calls comes in response to widespread consumer complaints about the increasing volume of unsolicited calls and messages.
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The proposed rules aim to safeguard consumer rights by implementing stringent measures against telemarketers who fail to comply with established guidelines.
The proposed guidelines aim to tackle spam calls and texts from businesses – especially banks, non-bank lenders, insurance firms and property dealers – which have become a menace in recent years.
Under the draft guidelines, all unsolicited business communication will be subject to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and violations will attract hefty penalties.
The proposed rules also bar communications that violate the Telecom Regulations Authority of India’s (TRAI’s) rules on sending commercial messages based on customer preferences.