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Purakayastha hints at hike in phone tariff

Union Minister of State for Communications Govinda Purakayastha has hinted that tariff in the telephone sector will be hiked as proposed by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

After an inspection of the 'micro-tunnelling' system in Calcutta, he told reporters yesterday that the TRAI, following a thorough discussion, has suggested the price hike.

T O D A Y

• Able but not willing • BPL besieged • HCL Accountant • Phone tariff hike likely

But the standing committee of Parliament, headed by MP Somnath Chatterjee, had urged in its report that the telephone tariff should not be hiked, keeping in mind the economic condition of the country.

Except TRAI, all other organisations connected with the telephone service are against any tariff hike.

Purakayastha too said that the TRAI should reconsider its proposal to ensure that customers are not burdened and progress in the sector is not hampered.

He said the parliament standing committee would meet again on February 11 for further discussion in this regard.

Asked whether eventually there would be a tariff hike considering that there is such strong opposition to it from political parties including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's allies, he said ''A hike may happen.''

UNI

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