“Why Do Users Pay 13 Times a Year?” Raghav Chadha Questions 28-Day Recharge Plans in Parliament

Raghav Chadha raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha over issues faced by millions of prepaid mobile users across India. The MP highlighted what he described as unfair practices by telecom companies that affect ordinary consumers.

Chadha is focusing on real problems faced by the public and bringing them to the attention of Parliament.

Question on Blocking Incoming Calls

During his speech, Chadha questioned the practice of blocking incoming calls once a prepaid recharge expires. He said while stopping outgoing calls after the expiry of a plan may be understandable, blocking incoming calls creates serious difficulties.

According to him, when incoming services are blocked, users cannot receive important communications such as OTPs needed for banking, online transactions, or verification. In emergency situations, this can leave people unable to stay connected.

Criticism of 28-Day Recharge Plans

Chadha also criticised the widely used 28-day recharge plans offered by telecom operators. He said the system effectively forces customers to recharge 13 times a year, even though a year has only 12 months.

The MP argued that recharge plans should follow calendar months of 30 or 31 days, which would prevent customers from paying for an additional recharge annually.

Mobile Connectivity Is a Necessity

Highlighting the importance of mobile connectivity today, Chadha said mobile phones are no longer a luxury but a basic necessity for citizens.

By raising the issue in Parliament, Chadha called for attention to policies that directly affect everyday consumers and urged that the concerns of prepaid users be taken seriously.