REVIVAL OF BSNL AND MTNL

Media reports say that the Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Home Minister Shri Amit Shah met on 16-7-2019 to discuss various proposals for revival of BSNL and MTNL. But the GoM has not taken a final call.

STAFF FORCE IS THE ONLY PROBLEM? Stress of the entire exercise is on reduction of staff. The outside Think Tanks advising the government forget the fact that 10 years ago, with more staff BSNL could earn profit. GoM discussed a VRS package for staff. The package will cost BSNL Rs. 6365 Crore and MTNL Rs. 2120 Crore. Earlier the Finance ministry officials had opposed the scheme. The High Level Committee of Secretaries also could not take a decision in the matter.

4G SPECTRUM: The media reports say that administrative charges for 4G spectrum business will be Rs 14000 CR. for the BSNL and RS 6000 Cr. for the MTNL.

NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVT: Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Communications had requested budgetary allocation of Rs 1000 Crore immediately for BSNL. But Finance Minister did not mention anything about it in her budget speech.

In addition to Sh. Amtishah, Ravishankar Prasad and Nirmala Sitaraman are also members of the GoM.