New Delhi: Bharti Airtel, the country’s biggest mobile operator, has taken legal action against Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) over the issue of Reliance Jio’s free services offer, accusing the regulator of being a “sleeping trustee” and a “mute spectator” to the “continued violations” carried out by Jio. In a petition filed before Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), Airtel accused Trai , of acting in a non-transparent manner in dealings, involving Jio and its tariff plans.Airtel raised serious objections to Jio’s free services offerings — that were originally given for new customers between September 5 and December 3 — and a fresh offer rolled out by the company which gives another free run between December 4 and March 31, 2017. Airtel also raised questions about Trai’s clearance of Jio’s original plan through a decision issued on October 20, arguing that regulator’s own rules do not permit continuance of offers beyond 90 days,It said Jio should be made to put the new offer in abeyance just as TDSAT should direct Trai to reconsider the issue. Airtel said the telecom industry and operators (other than Jio) are facing hardships due to its tariff plan.“… illegality is getting perpetuated with each passing day which is affecting the entire telecom industry and thus the consumer as well.” The petition, to be heard on January 6, said Trai “failed to fulfil its statutory obligations” and did not ensure compliance with its own directions, tariff orders and regulations. It said Jio’s zero-tariff plan goes lower than the “floor” price of 14 paisa or the interconnect charges which Trai has mandated and is “blatantly in violation of regulator’s previous tariff orders.”“Since the said “zero tariff plan” / promotional offer provides services free with no charges at all, it is ex-facie IUC (interconnect usage charge) non-compliant, predatory and discriminatory and thus violates Trai’s tariff orders and regulations.”