Politics over recharge proved costly: After the mobile recharge plan became expensive, a round of allegations and counter-allegations has started in politics. Congress on Friday targeted the central government after the three major companies of the telecom sector increased the tariff and taunted that this is the ‘prasad’ of the third term of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its ‘crony capitalism’ for the public. Congress said that from July 3, 2024, the rates of cell phones have been increased in this country. Due to the increase in the charges of cell phone services, the public will have to pay this extra.
Why was permission given to recover Rs 34,824 crore?
Party general secretary Randeep Surjewala questioned why the Modi government allowed the recovery of Rs 34,824 crore from the pockets of 109 crore cell phone users? He said that 109 crore cell phone users of the country use cell phones of Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone. The Modi government has put a burden of Rs 34,824 crore annually on these 109 crore cell phone users.
Jio, Airtel and Vodafone plans have become expensive
The country’s private cell phone companies, i.e. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, have together increased their tariffs by an average of 15 percent. Their market share is 91.6 percent, i.e. out of a total of 119 crore cell phone users, 109 crore cell phone users use only Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone plans.
Government accused of benefiting companies
Congress alleged that Modi government has burdened the public by increasing the rates. Now 109 crore cell phone users will have to pay 34,824 crore annually from their pockets. The rates of three cell phone companies of this country have increased with their consent, under the eyes, ears and nose of Modi government. He said that Modi government is giving a profit of Rs 34,824 crore annually to three cell phone companies at the cost of 119 crore cell phone users. First of all Jio increased the rates of its plans. Seeing that, other mobile service provider companies also increased the rates.
He said that there are only three cell phone operators in the Indian cell phone market. Reliance Jio has 48 crore users, Airtel has 39 crore users, Vodafone Idea has 22 crore 37 lakh users.
The companies decided this increase among themselves- Congress
He said Reliance Jio has increased charges for its cell phone users from 12 per cent to 27 per cent. Jio’s most popular and affordable plan has been increased by 22 per cent from Rs 155 per month to Rs 189 per month. The average increase in charges is 20 per cent. Airtel has increased charges for its cell phone users from 11 per cent to 21 per cent. The average increase in charges is 15 per cent. Vodafone Idea has increased charges for its cell phone users from 10 per cent to 24 per cent. The average increase in charges is 16 per cent. Surjewala said it is clear from this development that this increase was decided by the cell phone companies among themselves.
For 48 crore Jio customers, the increase is Rs 1,464 crore per month or Rs 17,568 crore annually. For 39 crore Airtel customers, the increase is Rs 10,704 crore annually. For Vodafone Idea customers, the increase is Rs 6,552 crore annually.
Congress asked this question to the government and TRAI
He said why did the Modi government allow private cell phone companies to unilaterally and arbitrarily increase cell phone tariffs by Rs 34,824 crore annually without any regulation, rule or monitoring. Why did the government and TRAI turn their back on their duty towards 109 crore cell phone users?
Surjewala asked whether the Modi government had put on hold the increase in cell phone prices till the completion of the parliamentary elections, so that it would not be asked to answer for the burden placed on 109 crore cell phone users and the additional recovery of Rs 34,824 crore? He said the Prime Minister will have to answer to the 109 crore affected cell phone users and all the citizens of India.