New Delhi, Dec 21 (UNI)- Parliament on Thursday passed the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 with Rajya Sabha approving the legislation seeking to simplify licensing and regulatory norms governing the telecom sector.
The Upper House passed the Bill by voice vote after brief discussion. The Lok Sabha had passed the draft telecom law on December 20.
The Bill repeals the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950.
The Telecommunications Bill, 2023 amends and consolidates the laws relating to development, expansion and operation of telecom services and telecom networks. It also deals with the assignment of spectrum in a transparent manner.
Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Union Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Bill has been prepared keeping the citizens at the centre.
The Minister said that the Bill provides for preventing impersonation and issuance of SIMs by fraudulent means.
Vaishnaw said that the punishment for acquiring SIM card through fraudulent means using forged documents includes three years jail term and a monetary penalty of upto Rs 50 lakh.
He highlighted various reforms undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and said that telecom sector has in the last nine and half years come out of its difficult phase and emerged as the sunrise sector.
The Minister said that most of the equipment used in the 5G network rollout are Made-in-India. Moreover, he said India is now exporting telecom equipment designed and made in the country.
He noted that the ecosystem which has been developed in the last nine and half years has resulted in India exporting telecom equipment worth about Rs 8,000 crore to various countries including the US.
BJP MP Demands Regulatory Body To Control AI-Generated Deepfake
Parliament Passes Bill Regulating Appointment, Salary And Removal Of Election Panel
Mumbai Police Imposes Prohibitory Orders Under Section 144 Till Jan 18