REGISTERED No. DL-33004/2000
No. 3] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2000 / MAGHA 4, 1921
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 24th January, 2000/ Magha 4, 1921 (Saka)
THE TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE,2000
Promulgated by the President in the Fiftieth Year of the Republic of India.
An Ordinance to amend the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
WHEREAS Parliament is not in session and the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action.
NOW, THEREFORE in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 123 of the Constitution. The President is pleased to promulgate the following Ordinance:
(1) This Ordinance may be called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment),Ordinance,2000 Short title and
Commencement.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
Amendment 2. In the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (hereinafter refered to as
of long title the Principal Act,) in the long title for the words “Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to regulate the telecommunication services”, the words “Telecom Regulatory Autority of India and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Apellate Tribunal to
24 of 1997.
regulate the telecommunication services,adjudicate disputes,dispose of appeals and to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector, to promote and ensure orderly growth of the telecom sector” shall be substituted.
Amendment of section 2
13 of 1885.
Amendment of section 3
Substituter of New section For section
4. Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and other
3. In section 2 of the principal Act,
(ea) “licensor “means the Central Government or the telegraph authority who grants a license under section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
(c)in clause (f), for the word “Government “,the words “Government as a service provider “ shall be substituted.
(d) in clause (k), the following provision shall be inserted, namely:
“Provided that the Central Government may notify other service to be telecommunication service including broadcasting services.”
4. In section 3 of the principal Act, for sub-section (3) the following sub-section shall be substituted namely:
(a) The Authority shall consist of a Chairperson, and not more than two whole time members and not more than two-part time members, to be appointed by the Central Government.”
5. The section 4 of the principal Act the following section shall be substituted namely:
“4. The Chairperson and other members of the Authority shall be appointed by the Central - Government from amongst persons who have special knowledge of, and professional experience in telecommunication, industry, finance, accountancy, law,management or consumer affairs: Provided that a person who is, or has been , in the service of Government shall not be appointed as a member unless such person has held the post of Secretary or Additional Secretary, or the post of Additional Secretary and Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent post in the Central Government or the State Government for a period of not less than three years.”
Amendment 6. In section 5 of the principal Act-
of sector 5.
a. for sub-sections (2) and (3) the following shall be substituted
“(6A) The part-time members shall receive such allowances as may be prescribed.”
(d)in sub -section (7) , the words , brackets and figure “or sub-section (3)” shall be ommitted.
e. in sub-section (8)
(i)in clause (b) for the words “two years”, the words “one year” shall be substituted:
(ii)after clause (b), the following provision shall be inserted, namely:
“Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply to the Chairperson or a member who has ceased to hold office under sub-section (3) and such Chairperson or member shall be eligible for re-appointment in the Authority or appointment in the
Appellate Tribunal.”
Amendment 7.In section 7 of the principal Act, for sub-sections(2) and (3) ,the following subsection shall be substituted, namely:
of section Amendment of section 11.
“(2) No such member shall be removed from his office under clause (d) or clause
(e) of sub-section (1) unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter”.
8. In section 10 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2)-Amendment
of section 10.
(a)for the words “determined by regulations “,the word “prescribed” shall be substituted:
a. after sub-section (2), the following provision shall be inserted namely:
“Provided that any regulation, in respect of the salary and allowance payable to and other conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the Authority, made before the commencement of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2000,shall cease to have effect immediately on the notification of rules made under clause (ca) of sub-section (2) of section 35.”
9.In section 11 of the principal Act-
a. for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted,namely:
(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Telegraph Act,1885,the functions of the Authority shall be to-13 of 1885
(a)make recommendations, either suo motu or on a request from the licensor, on the following matters, namely:
(iii) revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of license:
(vii) measures for the development of telecommunication technology and any other matter relatable to telecommunication industry in general;
(viii) efficient management of available spectrum;
(iii) ensure technical compatibility and effective inter-connection between different service providers.
providers and ensure the quality of service and conduct the periodical survey of such service provided by the service providers so as to protect interest of the consumers of
telecommunication services;
(vi) lay down and ensure the time period for providing local and long distance circuits of telecommunication between different service providers;
(vii) maintain register of interconnect agreements and of all such other matters as may be provided in the regulations;
(viii) keep register maintained under clause (viii) open for inspection to any member of public on payment of such fee and compliance of such other requirement as may be provided in the regulations;
Provided that the recommendations of the Authority specified in the clause (a) of this sub-section shall not be binding upon the Central Government:
Provided further that the Central Government shall seek the recommendations of the Authority in respect of matters specified in sub-clauses (i) and (ii) of clause (a) of this sub-section in respect of new licence to be issued to a service provider and the Authority shall forward its recommendations within a period of sixty days from the date on which that Government sought the recommendations: Provided also that the Authority may request the Central Government to furnish such information or documents as may be necessary for the purpose of making recommendations under sub-clauses (i) and (ii) of clause (a) of this sub-section and that Government shall supply such information within a period of seven days from receipt of such request:
Provided also that the Central Government may issue a licence to a service provider if no recommendations are received from the Authority within the period of specified in the second provision or within such period as may be mutually agreed upon between the Central Government and the Authority.
Provided also that if the Central Government having considered that recommendation of the Authority comes to a prima facie conclusion that such recommendation cannnot be accepted or needs modifications, it shall, refer the recommendations back to the Authority for its reconsideration, and the Authority may within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such reference, forward to the Central Government its recommendation after considering the reference made by the Government. After receipt of further recommendation, if any, the Central Government shall take a final decision.
(b) In sub-section (3), for the words, brackets and figure “under sub-section (1) “the words, brackets and figures under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) “shall be substituted.
Amendment 10. In section-13 of the principal Act, the following provision shall be inserted namely of section13
“Provided that no direction under sub-section (4) of section 12 or under this section shall be issued except on the matter specified in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11.”
Substitution 11. For Chapter IV of the principal Act the following Chapter shall be substituted,
of new namely-
Chapter for
Chapter IV
CHAPTER IV
APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
Establishment 14. The Central Government shall, by notification, establish an Appellate Tribunal to be of Appellate known as the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to Tribunal
54 of 1969
16 of 1986
13 of 1885
Application for settlement of disputes and appeals to Appellate
(iii) between a service provider and a group of consumers:
Provided that nothing in this clause shall apply in respect of matters relating to
Composition of Appellate Tribunal
Amendment of Section
of receipt of application or appeal as the case may be.
Provided that where any such application or appeal could not be disposed of within the said period of ninety days, the Appellate Tribunal shall record its reasons in writing for not disposing of the application or appeal within the said period.
(7) The Appellate Tribunal may, for the purpose of examining the legality or propriety or correctness of any dispute made in any application under sub-section (1), or of any direction or order or decision of the Authority referred to in the appeal preferred under sub-section (2), on its own motion or otherwise, call for the records relevant to disposing of such applications or appeal and make such orders as it thinks fit.
14 B (1) The Appellate Tribunal shall consist of a Chairperson and not more than two Members to be appointed, by notification, by the Central Government.
(4). Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal may transfer a Member of such Tribunal from one Bench to another Bench.
(5). If at any stage of the hearing of any case or matter, it appears to the Chairperson or a Member of the Appellate Tribunal that the case or matter is of such a nature that it ought to be heard by a Bench consisting of two Members, the case or matter may be transferred by the Chairperson to such Bench as the Chairperson may deem fit.
12. In section 23 of the Prinipal Act, after sub-section (2), the following explanation shall be inserted, namely:
“Explanation - For the removal or doubts, it is hereby declared that the decisions of the Authority taken in discharge of its function under clause (b) of sub-section (1) and subsection (2) of section 11 and section 13, being matters appealable to the Appellate Tribunal, shall not be subject to audit under this section”.
Amendment 13. In section 35 of the Principal Act of Section 35
(d) after clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:
(aa) the allowances payable to the part time members under sub-section (6A) of section
5:
“(da) the form , the manner of its verification and the fee under sub-section (3) of section 14A;
(db) the salary and allowances payable to and other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and other Members of the Appellate Tribunal under section 14E;
(dc) the salary and allowances and other conditions of service of the officers and employees of the Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (3) of section 14H;
(dd) any other power of a civil court required to be prescribed under clause (i) of subsection (2) of section 16;
Amendment 14. In section 36 of the Principal Act, in sub-section (2) of Section 35
Qualifications 14C. A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Chairperson or a Member
for of the Appellate Tribunal unless he-appointment of Chairperson (a) in the case of Chairperson, is or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court or the and Chief Justice of a High Court;
(b) in the case of a Member, who has held the post of Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent post in the Central Government or the State Government for a period of not less than two years or a person who is well versed in the field of technology, telecommunication, industry, commerce or administration.
Term of 14D. The Chairperson and every other Member of the Appellate Tribunal shall hold office office as such for a term not exceeding three years from the date on which he enters upon his office:
Provided that no Chairperson or other Member shall hold office as such after he has attained
Terms and 14E. The salary and allowance payable to and the other terms and conditions of conditions service of the Chairperson and whole-time members of the Appellate Tribunal shall be of service such as may be prescribed.
Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson or a Member of the Appellate Tribunal shall be varied to his disadvantage after appointment. Vacancies
Vacancies 14F. If, for reason other than temporary absence, any vacancy occurs in the office of the Chairperson or a Member of the Appellate Tribunal, the Central Government shall appoint another person in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill the vacancy qand the proceedings may be continued before the Appelate Tribunal from the stage at which the vacancy is filled.
Remove 14G. (1) The Central Government may remove from office, the Chairperson or any and Member of the Appellate Tribunal, who-resignation
Court on a reference being made to it in this behalf by the Central Government, has, on an enquiry, held by it in accordance with such procedure as it may specify in this
Staff of
Appellate
Tribunal.
Distribution of business amongst Benches.
Power of Chairperson to transfer cases.
Decision to be by majority.
45 of 1860 Members etc. to be public servants.
behalf, reported that the Chairperson or a Member ought on such ground or grounds to be removed.
14I. Where Benches are constituted, the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal may, from time to time, by notification, make provisions as to the distribution of the business of the Appellate Tribunal amongst the Benches and also provide for the matters which may be dealt with by each Bench.
14J. On the application of any of the parties and after notice to the parties, and after hearing such of them as he may desire to be heard, or on his own motion without such notice, the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal may transfer any case pending before one Bench, for disposal, to any other Bench.
14K. If the Members of a Bench consisting of two Members differ in opinion on any point, they shall state the point or points on which they differ, and make a reference to the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal who shall hear the point or points himself and such point or points shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority who have heard the case, including those who first heard it.
14L. The Chairperson, Members and other officers and employees of the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
14M. All applications, pending for adjudication of disputes before the Authority immediately before the date of establishment of the Appellate Tribunal under this Act, shall stand transferred on that date to such Tribunal:
Provided that all disputes being adjudicated under the provisions of Chapter IV as it stood immediately before the commencement of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000, shall continue to be adjudicated by the Authority in accordance with the provisions contained in that Chapter, till the establishment of the Appellate Tribunal under the said Ordinance: Provided further that all cases referred to in the first provision shall be transferred by the Authority to the Appellate Tribunal immediately on its establishment under section
14.
Transfer of 14N. (1) All appeals pending before the High Court immediately before the com appeals mencement of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000, shall stand transferred to the Appellate Tribunal on its establishment under section 14.
Civil court 15. No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect not to have of any matter which the Appellate Tribunal is empowered by or under this Act to jurisdiction. determine and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect
of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act.
Procedure 16. (1) The Appellate Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the and powers Code of Civil Procedure 1908, but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice of Appellate and, subject to the other provisions of this Act, the Appellate Tribunal shall have Tribunal. powers to regulate its own procedure. 5 of 1908.
5 of 1908. (2) The Appellate Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging its functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:
45 of 1860.
2 of 1974.
Right to legal representation.
38 of 1949.
56 of 1980.
23 of 1959.
5 of 1908.
Appeal to
Supreme
Court.
Orders passed by Appellate Tribunal to be (3) Every proceeding before the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be judicial proceeding when the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purpose of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code and the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purpose of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973.
17. The applicant or appellant may either appear in person or authorise one or more chartered accountants or company secretaries or cost accountants or legal practitio ners or any of its officers to present his or its case before the Appellate Tribunal.
Explanation - for the purposes of this section,
Provided that the Supreme Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of ninety days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in time.
19. (1) An order passed by the Appellate Tribunal under this Act shall be executable by the Appellate Tribunal as a decree of civil court, and for this purpose, the Appellate Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil court.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section(1), the Appellate Tribunal may | |
---|---|
transmit any order made by it to a civil court having local jurisdiction and such civil | |
court shall execute the order as if it were a decree made by that court. | |
Penalty for | 20. If any person willfully fails to comply with the order of the Appellate Tribunal, he |
willful | shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees and in case of a |
failure to | second or subsequent offence with fine which may execute to two lakh rupees and in |
comply with | the case of continuing contravention with additional fine which may extend to two |
orders of | lakh rupees for every day during such default continues. |
Appellate | |
Tribunal. |
23. “Explanation - For the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that the decisions of the Authority taken in discharge of its functions under clause (b) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 11 and section 13, being matters appealable to the Appellate Tribunal, shall not be subject to audit under this section.”
Amendment 13. In section 35 of the principle Act,of section
35.
“(aa) the allowances payable to the part-time members under subsection (6A) of section 5:”;
c. after clause (c), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:d
“(ca) the salary and allowances and other conditions of service of officers and other employees of the Authority under sub-section (2) of section 10;”;
e. after clause (d), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:
“(da) the form, the manner of its verification and the fee under sub-section (3) of section 14A;
(db) the salary and allowances and other conditions of service the Chairperson and other Members of the Appellate Tribunal under section 14E;
(dc) the salary and allowances and other conditions of service of the officers and employees of the Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (3) of section 14H; (dd) any other power of a civil court required to be prescribed under clause (I) of subsection (2) of section 16;”.
Amendment 14. In section 36 of the principle Act, in sub-section (2),of section
36.
K.R. NARAYANAN,
President.
RAGHBIR SINGH,
Secy. To the Govt. of India.