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In the Rajya Sabha, Raghav Chadha, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party, highlighted the challenges faced by prepaid mobile users regarding recharge practices. He criticized telecom companies for their arbitrary policies, stating that users are required to recharge their accounts 13 times a year.

Call Blocking After Recharge Expiry

New Delhi: On Wednesday, Raghav Chadha brought attention to the issue of mobile recharges in Parliament. He condemned telecom companies for blocking incoming calls once a prepaid recharge expires. Chadha urged regulators to ensure consumer protection, asserting that users should still receive calls even after their validity period ends. This sparked a debate on telecom policies.

Why Are Incoming Calls Blocked?

Chadha questioned the rationale behind blocking incoming calls when a recharge plan expires, arguing that while outgoing calls may be halted, incoming calls should not be. He pointed out that this practice prevents individuals from receiving important messages, such as bank OTPs, and can leave them isolated during emergencies.

Demands from the Government

Chadha called on the government to ensure that incoming calls and SMS messages continue for at least one year after the last recharge, to facilitate essential communication. He also requested that mobile numbers should not be deactivated for a minimum of three years following the last recharge. Additionally, he suggested that telecom operators introduce a low-cost 'incoming only' plan for users who need to keep their numbers active for critical communications.

Concerns Over Monthly Recharge Plans

The Aam Aadmi Party MP also raised concerns regarding the 28-day recharge plans marketed as 'monthly'. He argued that if a plan is labeled as monthly, it should align with the actual calendar month of 30 or 31 days. The current 28-day cycle forces consumers to pay for 13 recharges in a year, which totals 364 days.

Call for Synchronization with Calendar Months

Chadha emphasized that telecom operators should synchronize their recharge plans with actual calendar months instead of the 28-day cycle. He noted that mobile phones are no longer a luxury but a necessity. Prepaid customers deserve fairness and transparency, not deceptive practices. He expressed that he has raised concerns that affect nearly 90% of India's 1.25 billion mobile users.