TRAI’s inaction against Reliance Jio escalating at TDSAT

The Telecom Disputes Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Monday asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to submit a copy of Reliance Jio’s ‘Welcome Offer’ and ‘Happy New Year Offer’ by February 23. The next hearing is on February 28..The TDSAT is hearing appeals filed by Airtel and Idea against TRAI order dated October 20, 2016. This order discharged Reliance Jio from any alleged violation of the various TRAI tariff orders and directives as well as the TRAI Interconnection Usage Charges Regulations..At the previous hearing on February 6, TDSAT had raised several questions before the TRAI pertaining to the promotional schemes offered by RJio. Among other questions raised, one was if RJio had informed its subscribers of the two free offers being ‘distinct’..An unsatisfactory affidavit in response was filed by TRAI to the questions posed by the TDSAT..While TRAI is facing heat at the Delhi High Court as well for it’s indifferent attitude towards RJio’s promotional schemes, TDSAT also remanded TRAI for its cryptic responses to the questions raised..Counsel appearing on behalf of RJio, Ramji Srinivasan argued that while the promotional offer ends at the expiry of ninety days, the benefits accruing to subscribers under such an offer may very well extend beyond the period of ninety days. He further argued that consumers consent wasn’t required while shifting from the “Welcome Offer” to the “Happy New Year”, since there was no liability at the consumers’ end for shifting..Gopal Jain along with Harsh Kaushik for Airtel argued that if the above argument holds true, that both offers are similar with no added liability to the consumer, it is implied that the offer has extended beyond the stipulated ninety days, thereby nullifying their first argument..This time, the TDSAT has asked TRAI to respond by February 23 on the following :.1. Submit the copy of the “Welcome Offer” and “Happy New Year”;.2. Clarification of the offer as under Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations 2012 (TCPR);