15 percent calls to consumer helpline linked to telecom

NEW DELHI - The telecom sector accounted for over 15 percent of the total complaints received by the national consumer helpline (NCH) during November, the ministry of consumers affairs said Tuesday.

“The major problems reported by the callers included excess billing, network problem, non-refund of security deposits and delay in resolving problems,” said the ministry in a statement.

The helpline received a total of 5,413 calls during November apart from 86 complaints received on the internet. According to the feedback received from the callers, 213 complaints were resolved.

The maximum number of calls were received from Delhi followed by Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharastra and Rajasthan.

Currently the NCH has an online redressal system with telecom service providers including Idea Cellular, Tata Teleservices, Bharti Airtel, Aircel and state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.

Complaints are forwarded to these companies on regular basis and the companies in turn send feedback received from the complainants.

The helpline has a toll free number “1800-11-4000″ as part of its “Jago Grahak Jago” campaign.

The other sectors for which complaints were made include cooking gas (7.12 percent), banking (6.58 percent), broadcaster (3.40 percent), insurance (2.99 percent) and education (2.25 percent).