In a strong push for consumer rights, Raghav Chadha raised a major issue in the Rajya Sabha, questioning why mobile data paid for by users disappears at the end of the day. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader highlighted what he called a “serious flaw” in telecom policies, demanding urgent reforms to protect consumers across India.
What issue did Raghav Chadha raise?
Speaking in Parliament, Raghav Chadha pointed out that telecom users pay for daily data limits, but any unused portion is automatically wiped out at midnight. He explained that if a subscriber has a 2GB daily plan but uses only 1.5GB, the remaining 0.5GB is lost without refund or carry-forward.
He said, “Subscribers pay for daily data limits—say 2GB—but if only 1.5GB is used, the remaining 0.5GB simply disappears. No refund. No rollover. Just gone.”
Why is this a concern for consumers?
Chadha argued that this system forces users to repeatedly pay for data they never fully use. According to him, this is not an accidental loophole but a deliberate policy that benefits telecom companies while disadvantaging customers.
He stressed that millions of users across the country are affected daily, making it a large-scale financial and digital rights issue.
What changes has he proposed?
The AAP leader suggested three major reforms to make telecom services more consumer-friendly.
First, he demanded a data carry-forward system where unused daily data is automatically added to the next day’s limit instead of being erased.
Second, he proposed that unused data over a longer period should be adjusted against future recharges. This would ensure that users do not keep paying for data they are unable to consume.
Third, Chadha introduced the idea of allowing users to transfer unused data to friends or family members. He described mobile data as a form of “digital property” that should belong to the consumer after payment.
How does this impact Digital India?
Aam Aadmi Party leader Chadha said that as India moves toward becoming a digital economy, policies must reflect fairness and transparency. He emphasized that access to digital services should not depend on vanishing data limits.
He concluded with a strong message, stating that if consumers have paid for data, they should have the full right to use it whenever they need it.
What happens next?
The issue has now sparked a wider debate on telecom regulations and consumer rights. Whether the government or telecom companies respond with policy changes remains to be seen, but the demand for data rollover and fair usage is gaining momentum across the country.
