In views of the strict steps taken by the operators and declining numbers of cases, regulators has decided to reduce the penalty for the complaints related to unsolicited calls or SMSes or pesky calls.

According to new norms telecom operators will not attract penalty up to 50 complaints. It said that on a weekly basis, the number of complaints against pesky messages and calls “has significantly reduced.

"The number of complaints on weekly basis is significantly reduced. It has reduced from 12,848 to the week ending August 22, 2013 (date on which Trai announced Rs 5,000 penalty per pesky calls/SMS complaint) to 4,046 for the week ending November 17, 2013," Trai said.

According to news norms, beyond 50 complaints and up to 300, Trai will impose Rs 1,000 fine on every complaint. A fine of Rs 2,000 per complaint will be levied if the total number ranges between 301 to 700, and Rs 5,000 on every complaint beyond 700.

In August last year TRAI had prescribed new measures to tackle the menace of pesky calls and SMSes. 

According to these measures if it was found that any unsolicited call or SMS has been sent by a subscriber who is not registered as a telemarketer, the service provider shall be liable to pay financial disincentives of Rs.5000 on each complaint.

Further, it was made mandatory for the service providers to submit, by the 15th of every month, to TRAI the list of all bulk connections provided during the preceding month.