[IAC#RG] Public Grievance about TRAI's functioning

To:
Dr. Rahul Khullar
Hon'ble Chairman/TRAI

24-May-2013

BY EMAIL

Dear Dr. Khullar,

On behalf of the members of India Against Corruption ("IAC") I am constrained to bring to your personal attention that vast sections of the Republic of India are being deprived of the opportunity to participate in TRAIs' public consultation processes because the consultation papers are not being made available to them in the Hindi language. Neither is the factum of these papers being placed in public domain getting  updated on the TRAI's Hindi version website which still dates to 8-Dec-2011.
http://www.trai.gov.in/Content/Hindi/consultationpaper.aspx?qid=13

A case in point being the recent consultation paper on Television Rating Agencies. I had previously complained to Mr. A.M.Govil about this, as I was informed he is responsible for Hindi language adoption in TRAI, but have not heard anything from him.

The official language policy of the Union is pretty clear " .. Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union  .. In addition to Hindi language English language  may also be used for official purposes."

http://www.rajbhasha.nic.in/GOLPContent.aspx?t=endolact
http://www.rajbhasha.nic.in/GOLPContent.aspx?t=endolrules

The TRAI is headquartered in Region "A" under the abovesaid Rules.

I am sure you will agree that the deliberate policy of TRAI to only publish consultation papers in English is therefore not only illegal but also racist and a corrupt device devised to shut out participation of ordinary citizens, whom TRAI views as pests, so that the commercial stakeholders (vested interests) who are now mainly foreigners have the free run of both your Authority as well as the Ministries from where they originate such obnoxious proposals to obtain TRAI's necessary recommendations under the Act.

Since the bulk of IAC's membership is more fluent in Hindi, I would be obliged if a formal reply is given to me how TRAI shall ensure larger public participation in its consultative processes. The 2 responses received from the individual category to the consultation paper on Television Rating Agencies should be sufficient to alert you to the serious problem the IAC is highlighting exists within your Authority.

I am also formally calling upon the TRAI not to proceed with the consultation paper on Television Rating Agencies till genuine participation of all stakeholders, especially ordinary citizens, is ensured.

With best wishes

Er. Sarbajit Roy
National Convenor
India Against Corruption

B-59 Defence Colony
New Delhi 110024
Tel :  0931148069