TRAI's Concern Over Dilution Of Power Under Draft Telecom Bill Addressed: DoT

New Delhi, Oct 26 TRAI's apprehensions over potential dilution of powers under the draft telecom bill have been addressed, and the government may look at the option of taking up provisions related to strengthening of the regulatory body separately at a later stage, DoT sources said. Amid reports of TRAI's opposition to certain clauses of the draft telecom bill, that were seen diluting its powers, sources said, ​​​discussions have taken place between the two sides. The thinking in telecom department now is that specific provisions related to strengthening of TRAI, on the lines of US' Federal Communications Commission or UK's communications regulator Ofcom, can be taken up after a period of time, say 3-4 years, through a separate exercise. The government, in the draft telecom bill -- circulated for stakeholder comments last month -- has proposed a provision to waive fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers.