Telecommunications Bill 2023 passed in the Lower house with amendments

Lok Sabha yesterday passed the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 with amendments. The Bill seeks to amend and consolidate the law relating to the development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and its networks. The Bill provides that telecom service providers must verify the identity of their users through any verifiable biometric-based identification. 

The Bill lays provisions that the central government will provide authorisation for telecom-related activities and assign spectrum. It also mandates that the procedure and safeguards related to interception will be prescribed by the Central Government.

 

Replying to the bill, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, utmost priority has been given to user protection. He said the Bill would curb the cases of impersonation and issuance of SIMs by fraudulent means. The IT Minister also added an empowered KYC regime will be established and stringent punishment which includes 3 years of jail and a fine of up to 50 lakh rupees for violators has been incorporated in the



legislation.

 

 The Union Minister said a single-point simple authorisation system has been put in place instead of 100 kinds of licences. Mr. Vaishnaw said the Bill will also pave the way for a speedy and simple grievance redressal system with four four-tier dispute resolution mechanisms.

 

He also assured the House that all provisions align with time-to-time observations and directions of constitutional benches of the Supreme Court regarding spectrum.

 

Allaying the apprehensions of some members of Mr. Vaishnaw said the provisions like interception conform with constitutional provisions and care has been taken regarding checks and balances. He said the special feature of the bill is Digital Bharat Nidhi which is for the noble cause of promotion and giving support to telecom equipment and product makers. He said the legislation will also take care of more than 40 lakh people engaged in the telecom sector The Bill seeks to replace the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.