CONCESSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS

As per the Telecommunications Tariff Order notified by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 9th March 1999 (Schedule 1, item 5), following concessions in monthly rental are provided to senior citizens in respect of Rural Fixed line services:

(5)                           Monthly Rentals for Rural Subscribers   

Fixed line Telephony Service including wireless in local loop technology (Fixed)	Capacity of local Exchange System	Sr. Citizen	Others
	(Number of line)	(Rs)	(Rs)
	(i)      Upto 999	70	70
	(ii)     1000 to 29,999	120	120
	(iii)    30,000 to 99,999	180	200
	(iv)    1 lakh and above	250	280

      It is mandatory to offer the above as part of standard package. However, the service providers have the flexibility to offer alternative combinations of tariff to different classes of subscribers in a non-discriminatory manner.

      The following concessions are provided to senior citizens (65 years and above) by government controlled Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), i.e. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) & Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL):

BSNL – BSNL is granting following concessions in fixed line telephone connection to senior citizens:

(i) Registration of telephone on priority under NON-OYT-Special category,

(ii) Exemption from payment of registration charges while registering the   request for a telephone connection.

MTNL – Senior citizens are allowed following concessions on landline telephone  

   connections:

(i) 25% concession in installation,

(ii) 25% concession in monthly service charges in plan 250.

          This information was given by Shri Milind Deora, Minister of State for C&IT in written reply to a question in Lok   Sabha today.

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MV/RK

(PIB Release ID :90948)