According to the DoT, while officials teams from various telecom exchanges in the city raided more than 30 STD-PCO shops to verify if the departmental norms were being followed, action was ordered against 17 operators who were allegedly found flouting the norms.

During the raids carried out in Alkapuri, Raopura, Nizampura and Karelibaug areas, most of the operators were allegedly found overcharging for local calls. Some operators were also penalised for not displaying tariff rates, for not providing separate access to the booths and tampering with the equipment.

Sources in the department said that the teams were also accompanied by the representatives of the three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) -- Social and Cultural group of Baroda, Young Akota club and Yuva Prahar -- who have been agitating against errant operators.

But the agitators were far from being happy. ``Larger issues still continue to be ignored by the department,'' said an NGO representative, reiterating their dissatisfaction over various demands including fixing a rational rate for local call charges and issuing Re-1 token for local calls.