Tiruchirappalli, June 21: Union Minister of State for Communications S Thirunavukkarasar today said he did not for see any immediate hike in the tariffs of basic land line telephone services and cellular phones. In an informal chat with media persons here, he said the recent meeting of TRAI was a routine one and the revision of telephone charges was not in the pipeline.

When pointed out that BSNL was demanding a premium ranging between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 for providing numbers of one's choice for its new cell-one mobile phones, he said the ministry would consider scrapping of premium. He promised to look into allegations that BSNL pre-paid Sim cards were being sold in the black market.

The minister said a regulator bill to curb the misuse and unethical growth of courier services would be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament, the draft of which is being finalised.

Referring to the post offices in the country, he said the 1.54 lakh post offices would be converted into multi-purpose offices for providing value added postal services. He said chief post masters generals have been asked to identify new services for their respective circles.

On the losses incurred by the postal department, he said his ministry was keen to wipe out the deficit of over Rs 1400 crore incurred annually by the department.

The ministry, he said, was in the process of formulating innovative high yielding revenue avenues to reduce the deficit. Bureau Report