DoT raids postponed

VADODARA, Sept 29: The Department of Telecommunication DoT postponed its raids on city STD-PCO operators till Thursday. Assistant General Manager, Operations, DoT, U K Chaudhary said the raids were put off as officials in the department were busy as the earlier scheduled Wednesday was pay day for employees.

The Non-Governmental Organisations NGOs, protesting against 8220;irrational8221; local call rates charged by the opoerators, were dismayed at the delay. 8220;It is disgusting. They are dilly-dallying on the issue. This pay day is a ridiculous excuse,8221; a representative of one of the NGOs said.

The agitators are further aggrieved as a week has passed since the 15-day notice period to the operators, directing them to comply with DoT norms, ended. The DoT officials had earlier claimed that the department will conducts raids and take action against erring operators after the end of the 15-day notice period.

The DoT had also assured the NGOs that their representatives will accompany department officials during the raids to oversee the whole exercise. Sources said the department had formed five teams which will raid different exchange areas of the city from Thursday.