Telecom operators in Jammu and Kashmir demand relaxation of norms for customer verification in granting new mobile connections, to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). According to operators, the existing norms delay the activation of connection and people are forced to submit false declarations to avoid delays.
Jammu and Kashmir follow stringent rules in granting mobile connections due to security reasons. The service providers do the necessary verification and report it to the local police. The clearance from local police is required for activation of connections. “The service providers are doing the necessary verification as recommended by reporting it to the local police,” the telecom body said in a letter to DoT. “But invariably, the service providers are not getting any communication from the local police and connections are not getting activated despite positive verification for 10 days.”
For acquiring multiple connections, the customer needs to furnish the reasons for multiple SIMs before the operator, as well as declare about the existing connections in his/her name, including those used by the family members. The service provider will take it to the police for clearance. The service provider can opt for tele-verification, if communication from the police has been delayed beyond 10 days.
For third connections and more, norms order for a physical verification. Due to such complications, people avoid declaring multiple connections. Similar strict norms are followed even in North East due to security reasons of the region.
