Notices to 72 phone booths

bangalore: bangalore telecom has inspected and issued notices to around 72 telephone booths in the city for failing to comply with bsnl''s set charge of rs 1.26 per call. bangalore telecom''s vigilance cell received 123 complaints in the last seven days from the public who have complained that public phone booth owners are charging rs 2 per local call as against bsnl''s fixed charge of rs 1.26.in an article published in the times of india on april 10, bsnl had said that people need not pay more than rs 1.26 per local call. even if the odd amount is rounded off, phone-users can still pay rs 1.50. ``when we receive a complaint, we record the details in our register. then, the department personnel are sent to check on the booths to verify the complaint,'''' says l.r.r.swamy, vigilance officer, bangalore telecom. many of the booth owners try to justify the rs 2 they charge, saying they have provided a light and fan in the booth and that their electricity charges must be covered, says swamy. the booth owners are given a 30-day notice period in which they have to comply to the notice and attend to any defects specified in the notice. field units and area managers go to the booths after the notice period and do surprise checks on the booth. if the booth-owner continues to demand excess charge, orders are given to cut off the phone connection, says swami. people with complaints can call the vigilance cell at ph: 2866800/2861300.