AAP Leader Flags Daily Data Expiry Policy, Calls for Reform in Telecom Plans

New Delhi, March 23, KNT: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Monday raised concerns in Parliament over the expiry of unused mobile data under daily recharge plans, questioning the fairness of existing telecom billing practices.

Speaking in the House, Chadha highlighted that telecom operators offer plans with fixed daily data limits—such as 1.5 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB—which reset every 24 hours, resulting in unused data lapsing at the end of each day.

The issue assumes significance as millions of mobile users across India rely on prepaid and postpaid data plans, making it a matter of widespread consumer interest in the country’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.

Chadha argued that consumers are effectively billed for data they are unable to fully utilise, as any unused portion is forfeited without refund or rollover.

“You are billed for 2 GB. You use 1.5 GB. The remaining 0.5 GB disappears as the day ends. No refund, no rollover,” he said, describing the practice as a systemic issue rather than an exception.

He questioned why data that consumers have already paid for should be forfeited, and called for policy reforms to ensure fair usage rights.

The AAP leader proposed that telecom operators should allow carry-forward of unused data to the next day, enabling users to access the full value of their purchased plans.

He also suggested that consistent under-utilisation of data should allow for adjustments or discounts in subsequent recharge cycles, so that consumers are not repeatedly charged for unused capacity.

In addition, Chadha recommended introducing a feature to allow users to transfer unused data to family members or friends, describing mobile data as a form of “digital property” that should remain under the control of the consumer.

“As we build a Digital India, access cannot depend on data that disappears. If you’ve paid for it, it should carry forward and remain yours to use,” he said.

There was no immediate response from telecom companies or the government regarding the proposals.

The remarks are likely to trigger wider debate on consumer rights, telecom regulations and pricing models, as data consumption continues to grow across the country.

India has one of the world’s largest mobile data user bases, with affordable plans driving widespread internet penetration, but concerns over transparency and billing practices have periodically surfaced in public discourse.

Further developments are expected as the issue is taken up for discussion within policy and regulatory frameworks. [KNT]

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