Verification of SIM card dealers must, no more bulk sales: Vaishnaw

To curb the menace of fake SIM cards and financial frauds, communications and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced new norms for SIM card sellers that will make biometric verification as well as registration with telcos mandatory for them. As per the rules, if SIM card sellers violate the rules and are involved in selling cards fraudulently, they will be prosecuted criminally as well as face a penalty to the tune of Rs 10 lakh. Further, the sellers indulging in illegal activities will be terminated and blacklisted for a period of three years.