IIt is true that the world of people has changed since the smartphone entered their lives. For many people, it is not just a phone but more. With a smartphone, you can not only talk to someone but also access the world of the internet at the touch of a button. But there is another aspect to it, that is, unwanted or unknown calls. These can come and harass you at any time and you cannot do anything about it even if you want to. Before you pick up the phone, you do not even know who is calling you. Unwanted calls on mobile phones at odd hours have become a problem for everyone. The residents of Madhya Pradesh also have to contend with the calls that call people several times a day to buy goods, bank loans, credit cards and other products through telemarketing. Most of the mobile phone users block these numbers but telemarketing companies call from other numbers.
The Supreme Court has ruled that consumers who have registered their phone numbers for call barring, every time a call is made on their phone, strict action will be taken against the company. Many companies continue to harass people by calling them about their products at any time. But now, the Supreme Court has issued strict directions to the government in this regard. The court has ruled that consumers who have registered their mobile numbers for call barring, will not be allowed to receive unwanted calls on their phones. Moreover, it has also asked for action against companies providing tele services but have not registered for the same with the Ministry of Communications. People who are plagued by unwanted calls and messages can now have hope again to stop them. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new rules in this regard, according to which any commercial, telemarketing or company acting on their behalf will have to take permission from the consumer before making a call or sending a message.
Despite the strict regulations of the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), consumers still receive a lot of unwanted calls and SMS on their mobile phones. TRAI introduced Do Not Disturb (DND) feature on September 27, 2011. It is designed to protect consumers from unwanted calls and messages. But even after that, consumers are not getting any relief. Consumers had registered for this service. But even after that, consumers continue to be harassed by calls. According to telecom officials, consumers have gotten some relief after the service was introduced. If even after registration, unwanted calls are received, a complaint can be lodged with TRAI. Following this, TRAI can impose fine and blacklist the mobile companies. If consumers want to complain about unwanted calls or messages, they can use this feature.
If you are plagued by unwanted calls on your mobile phone, this news will give you some relief. During a funeral ceremony, a person receives a loan call. The consumer court has ordered the company and the caller to pay compensation to the victims. Vadodara Consumer Forum has ordered telephone company I-Cube and caller Kanhaiyalal Thakkar to pay Rs 20,000 compensation for harassing the customer by making unwanted calls. The caller was selling a credit card and personal loan from Citi Bank. While the caller was offering loan on the phone, the plaintiff was busy with the funeral of a relative. According to this court decision, both the company and the caller have to pay Rs 10,000 each as compensation.
Moreover, I-Qube and Vodafone Essar Gujarat Limited were asked to pay Rs 10,000 to the Consumer Protection Fund as the plaintiff had accused the phone company of sharing his name, number and personal details, which is an invasion of his privacy. The case dates back to 2007. After the hearing, the consumer court found I-Qube and the caller Thakkar guilty and awarded compensation. A major problem for mobile phone users is unwanted and untimely calls. These calls sometimes come without permission. Sometimes you are in an important meeting, resting or driving a car. These calls disturb you. At the same time, these calls which come at regular intervals are also irritating. Sometimes Truecaller informs you that it is a telemarketing call, but sometimes you cannot realize that. In such a situation, it is important to block these calls to get rid of them. Also, use the Do Not Disturb option.
Indian courts and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have banned telemarketing companies from violating the privacy of individuals by making unsolicited calls for advertising, marketing and direct sales of products, particularly credit cards and bank loans. However, these restrictions do not mean an end to telemarketing in India as the companies will continue to communicate with prospective customers. Under the revised Banking Ombudsman Scheme, an aggrieved customer can file a complaint with the concerned Ombudsman against a bank/NBFC for violating RBI’s credit card guidelines. The government must implement the spirit of the recent Supreme Court findings and consumer court judgements by enacting a law to regulate telemarketing so that telemarketers can conduct their business without violating the privacy of individuals and without compromising the fundamental rights of citizens enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
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