The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to seek security clearance from the former before granting new telecom licences to the service providers. In this regard, MHA plans to initiate a provision of security clearance and character and antecedent verification of the directors and promoters of the telecom operator before the licence is issued. 

At present, the security division of the MHA is consulted just before the commencement of services after DoT has issued licenses to the operators. Therefore, MHA has proposed modifications of the terms and conditions of the license for telecom service providers to include the provision of revocation if the security clearance is withdrawn. Further, a draft of the revised licence including the altered terms and conditions should be shared with the home ministry before finalisation by the DoT. The security clearance will then be applicable till the validity of the licence period and a new clearance must be taken if the directors or shareholding pattern changes in excess of 10 per cent. 

The cabinet secretariat, which governs the security agencies, will supervise the matter to ensure that comments on proposals are given within two months.