After the increase in the prices of electricity, diesel and kerosene, it now seems that telephones charges are going to be raised. It is said that decrease in the revenue from international calls is forcing an increase in charges for local calls. This will benefit a very small number of people and hurt the majority.

According to the general manager of NTC the increase is not slated for now but sometime in the future. He said that the ministry is studying the proposal and it is not yet clear if the government will approve the hike. A decision will be made in a month.

Last year the corporation gave the government its proposal for raising charges. It presented four alternatives. The government and parliament at that time did not want to further burden the people as it had just increased the electricity tariffs and prices of petroleum products and did not have the courage to raise telecom rates.