BTRC to sign deal with EC to use NID database

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is going to sign a deal with Election Commission (EC) to use the National Identity Card database server to contain registration and use of mobile phone SIM cards using fake names and identities, said official sources. After signing the deal, the mobile phone operators can enter the NID database server which will help them to crosscheck the validity of the NID card of a SIM card buyer. Md Sarwar Alam, secretary of BTRC said the government is going to sign a deal with the EC within a very short time. Currently, mobile phone operators have no scope to scrutinise the papers and NID cards of their customers. Using the chance, a section of criminals purchase SIM cards giving false identities and use those in different criminal activities, like demanding ransom over mobile phone after abducting someone and extorting money. State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “After receiving the complaint, we ordered the mobile phone operators to make their dealers alert to check NID cards and other documents before selling SIM cards,” according to a news agency.