Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday hit out at cellular operators' reported move to sue it over unified licencing regime saying countries worldwide were moving towards the same, and added that it would send its recommendations to the government by August 30 after hearing out all stakeholders.    

Trai drafting single licence plan

"I have read that cellular operators will prosecute Trai for bringing out the consultation paper and I am surprised that an issue for consultation can bring out such strong responses," Trai chairman Pradip Baijal said while addressing Wireless India 2003 conference in New Delhi.

He said many countries were moving towards unified licence and the European Union has already given direction to member countries on unified licencing regime.

Drawing parallel between the opposition to the regime and the opposition on privatisation front during his tenure as the divestment secretary, Baijal said, "It is not just the bureaucracy who revels in consulting and in not going forward ...There are people in polity and economy who revel in looking back and looking sideways and not dealing with the issues in front of them."

Later speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the conference, Baijal said: "Litigation in any democracy is natural if a person feels that some wrong has been committed. There are litigations in every change and then the court gives a view. It is healthy process."