51/2023-2024

Aizawl, 16^th May 2023: Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon'ble Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & IT and Railways launched Sanchar Saathi portal today at Conference Hall, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

Addressing the launching program, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Hon'ble Union Minister for Communications said that for the perspective of telecom user safety three reforms have been introduced through Sanchar Saathi Portal. Such as CEIR, TAFCOP and ASTR.

CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) module facilitates tracing of the lost/stolen mobile devices. This also facilitates blocking lost/stolen mobile devices in the network of all telecom operators so that lost/stolen devices cannot be used in India. If anyone tries to use the blocked mobile phone, its traceability is generated. Once a mobile phone is found it may be unblocked on the portal for its normal use by the citizens.

TAFCOP module facilitates a mobile subscriber to check the number of mobile connections taken in his/her name. It also facilitates to report the mobile connection(s) which are either not required or not taken by the subscriber.

The third reform is about ASTR Module (AI and Facial Recognition powered solution to prevent fraud issue of connections using manipulated Identity Proofs and Photographs. The vision of the ASTR project is to analyze the whole subscriber base of all telecom Service Providers (TSPs) combine and cleanse the mobile subscriber database by identifying non-bonafide mobile numbers. Presently, the system uses subscriber images and subscriber database provided by the Telecom Subscriber Providers (TSP) to DoT, compares the same and the output is generated in groups of similar images with different names.

Hon'ble Union Minister for Communications said that so far 87 Cr mobile connections have been run through AI algorithm till date with phenomenal results of identifying 40 lakhs fraud connections and 36 lakhs have been disconnected by following proper procedures.

In this regard NELSA issued press release on 11 May 2023 mentioning that more than 1.52 lakhs suspected fake mobile connections in 6 NE states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland & Tripura have been detected.

Also taking actions on detections, more than 1.47 Lakhs connections have been disconnected after verification by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). Further 493 Points Of sale involved in fake mobile connections have been blacklisted and against 71 points of sale, police complaints have been lodged.

The launching program was also joined through video conferencing in the office of DGP, Mizoram. Shri Veenu Bansal, IGP (Intelligence), Shri Bhisham Singh, SP (CID & Crime) and Shri Lokeshwaran .R, SP (Cybercrime) from Mizoram Police and Shri C. Lalhmachhuana, Director, Department of Telecommunications Aizawl were present in the video conferencing.