New Delhi - The Telecommunication Bill 2022 is facing possible postponement to the next year as it awaits inter-ministerial clearance, as revealed by government officials. The draft bill contains provisions that are conflicting with the powers vested in other ministries, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), according to sources familiar with the matter.

In an effort to resolve these issues, the telecom ministry recently presented a detailed overview of the bill to the Home Minister, Amit Shah, addressing some of his concerns. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also provided written comments on the bill. However, the bill still awaits clearance from MEITY, with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State, yet to submit his written comments.

The overlapping regulatory issues involving various ministries have caused significant delays in obtaining the cabinet's approval for the bill. The official stated that the bill's introduction in the upcoming monsoon session of parliament is unlikely. Instead, it may be introduced in either the winter session or the following year.

From the outset, the bill has encountered several obstacles, mainly due to its wide coverage of multiple ministries. Initially, there were concerns about overlapping matters with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which sought clarification from the Department of Telecom regarding the inclusion of Over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

The draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, introduced by the telecom ministry in September 2022, aims to revamp the regulatory and legal framework governing the telecom sector. It proposes various changes, including the right to waive fees partially or entirely, encompassing license fees, entry fees, registration fees, and more. The bill also suggests lighter regulation for OTT communication apps like WhatsApp and Signal. However, it has raised issues about the potential dilution of the powers of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

In summary:

• Certain provisions in the draft bill are conflicting with the powers of other ministries.
  
• The bill is still awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY).
  
• Rajeev Chandrasekhar is yet to submit his comments.
  
• MEITY sought clarity from the Department of Telecom regarding the inclusion of OTT platforms in the bill.