Patna: In a striking revelation highlighting the risks of cyber fraud, officials in Bihar have uncovered a network of 6,800 SIM cards registered in the name of a single person, far exceeding the legal limit of nine SIM cards per individual. The discovery comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of mobile connectivity for fraudulent activities.
The announcement was made during the 60th Foundation Day celebrations of the Bihar chapter of the Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) Association, held at the Bapu Tower Auditorium. Surya Prakash, Deputy Director General (Security) of the Ministry of Telecommunications, emphasised the government’s commitment to digital security. “Security of the digital ecosystem is the top priority,” he said, noting that a draft of the new cyber security law is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in November.
The event, attended by senior officials and family members, also reflected on the evolution and achievements of India’s telecom sector. R.K. Chaudhary, Chief General Manager of BSNL Bihar and President of the ITS chapter, traced the journey from the telegraph service in 1965 to today’s landscape, which boasts 1.22 billion telecom consumers, 944 million broadband connections, and 20,000 petabytes of monthly data consumption. The sector generates revenue of approximately Rs 3 lakh crore annually, contributing directly to 6% of the nation’s GDP.
Former BSNL Bihar General Manager Vijay Kumar, the chief guest, highlighted the role of telecommunications in delivering emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and neurotechnology to billions of people. He also warned that cyber and telecom fraud remain serious threats to national security.
Other highlights of the ceremony included presentations by BSNL Principal General Manager Arvind Prasad on the organisation’s achievements over six decades, and a creative showcase by Secretary Manish Kumar on the “Sanchar Sathi” cyber security tool. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Director (Compliance) Deepak Singh.
Senior officials of the Department of Telecommunications and Joint Secretary Ashutosh Dwivedi were also present at the celebrations, which underscored both the growth and challenges facing India’s telecom sector.
