NEW DELHI: The Orissa High Court has admitted a public interest litigation that seeks urgent action to stop indiscriminate sale and distribution of SIM cards by different service providers in Odisha.
“Selling of SIM cards without proper verification of users’ personal details is a threat to national security. There are reports that suggest anti-socials and terrorist groups are taking advantage of the distribution of SIMs to commit crimes,” said Ashok Nanda, convenor of Pragativaadi Nagarika Parishad (PNP), a citizen forum.
Pradipta Nayak, another member of PNP, said, “Service providers are making a huge profit in connivance with government officials and regulators through this trade. Non-verification of customers by service providers is a deliberate attempt to corner market share.”
“In Odisha alone, at least 10 lakh SIM cards are released to the market every month with most of it pre-activated,” he added.
PNP members alleged officials of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India turns a blind eye due to personal greed.
