DoT issues SOP for deduction verification

The Department of Telecommunications has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure greater levels of standardization, efficiency as well as transparency and accountability in the deduction verification process.

The field offices of DoT i.e., Offices of Principal Controllers of Communication Accounts and Controllers of Communication Accounts have been directed to ensure compliance with the SOP. This SOP will be applicable for the deduction verification process pertaining to FY 2021-22 onwards.

The objectives of this SOP are to facilitate and ensure efficient and timely processing of deduction claims, consistency & uniformity across verifying authorities, transparency and accountability of verifying authorities, reduction of department-industry disputes and litigation and revenue assurance by standardising admissibility/inadmissibility of claims.

DoT has also launched new revenue management system from FY 2020-21-SARAS (System for Assessment of LF Revenue & SUC) to ease, standardise and digitise all aspects of telecom finance compliance, including submission of AGR Statements/Deduction claim/BGs and related documents, LF/SUC payments, Deduction verification, LF/SUC assessment, BG Management, and related ancillary processes, across the life cycle of a licensee.