Telecom regulator Trai may soon get powers to summon persons and penalise operators for violating licence conditions, if the amended Act, which has proposed to give more teeth to the regulator, comes into effect.

The Telecom Ministry is looking to give more powers to Trai, which will bring it on par with the Civil Courts or market regulatory body like Sebi by amending Trai's act 1997.

"The provision is aimed at conferring powers of Civil Court on Trai so that the authority can summon persons and examine them on oath, production of documents and also calls for expert assistance in conducting inquiries," according to an internal note of the Telecom Ministry.

Department of Telecom (DoT) has sought comments from the regulator and different wings of the ministry by May 20 this year. (PTI)