Govt mulls penalty for call drops

As the call drop menace refuses to subside, the government is now weighing the option of slapping a penalty on telecom operators. Individual letters are to be shot off to company promoters to convey the concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A top official in the ministry said it will be conveyed to the owners that in case quality of service does not improve, option of levying penalty under license conditions is not ruled out. Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad held a meeting with DoT officials along with CMDs of two public sector firms, BSNL and MTNL to deliberate on the measures for reducing call drops. Telecom companies have sought 30-45 days time to improve and optimise networks to reduce call drops, sources said.