The telecom operators caught up in the 3G roaming controversy (Read: New scam rocks Indian telecom sector) have something more to worry about as India’s Department of Telecommunications has asked some operators to submit auditors reports for the year 2009-10 by Nov. 9.
The DoT has also asked Airtel, Vodafone, Aircel, BSNL, Idea, RCL and RTL to explain why action should not be taken against them for failing to submit the report.
“DoT claims that even a deadline extension up to Jan. 20, 2011, failed to find favor with the operators, something which is in gross violation of the Companies Act of 1956,” according to a news report.
The DoT’s stern stance comes after the telecom operators were unable to submit their reports, which contravenes the stipulations of the act. Auditors reports are required to be filed by no later than Sept. 30 of the following year (in this case by Sept. 30, 2010).
Now with the reports more than a year late, the operators will have to explain.
As it as, most of the companies involved are already embroiled in the 3G roaming controversy, in which some telecom operators were “offering 3G services and earning money from areas which they never bid during the 3G auctions.”
The Cellular Operators Association of India has said that those operators did not violate telecom licensing rules by signing 3G pacts among themselves.
