TRAI is now intervening more aggressively in the war between telcos, and has called for a meeting on September 30 - just one day before the spectrum auctions - to discuss accusations by operators that Reliance Jio is violating TRAI tariff orders, which states that pricing should be non-predatory. The telcos say that Jio's free pricing on voice calls violates this, since it offers free voice calls beyond 90 days. TRAI has already issued showcause notices to telcos on high call drop rates between Jio and other networks, an issue for which Jio and incumbents are blaming each other. 

Upping the pressure on Pak PM Nawaz Sharif, India has declined to attend the SAARC Summit in Islamabad, automatically cancelling the summit and isolating Pakistan further in South Asia, where other countries have allied with India on the terrorism and militancy issue. ET

The NHAI has awarded a large Rs. 2,845 crore highway project to Dilip Buildcon, for the four-laning of the Lucknow-Sultanpur highway in UP. There is likely going to be a significant uptick in road projects awarded to infra firms, following government announcements of projects for 10,000 km of roads in just this financial year.

The Netherlands is ranked in the top five for highest minimum wages in the world, at approximately $1,680 per month. But Dutch companies are exporting their exploitation to India, and a recent report has highlighted that Dutch firms are paying Indian textile workers "starvation wages" of less than $100 a month, driving many of these workers into debt. A living wage in India is estimated at around $282 a month.  

Photo of the day: Preparations for Durga Puja and Navratri are heating up - dancers rehearse for the Garba. Reuters/Amit Dave