BSNL Revival Plan Likely To Be In Public Domain Within A Month, Says Chairman
Two months is a long time, the BSNL revival plan should be in public domain within a month, says Chairman PK Purwar.
The government’s revival plan for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. is likely to be in public domain within a month, the chairman of the state-run telecom firm said on Monday.
The salaries of all BSNL employees will be paid before Diwali, PK Purwar, chairman and managing director of the embattled public sector undertaking, said.
"BSNL has inner strength on the basis of which it is adding new customers. We are a Rs 20,000 crore-plus revenue generating organization. We are passing through turbulent phase which we expect to overcome in a couple of months," Purwar said. "Two months is a long time, the BSNL revival plan should be in public domain within a month."
On Oct. 17, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the existence of BSNL is in strategic interest of the nation, and that the government is looking to resolve issues plaguing it.
“BSNL is in strategic interest of the nation. Whenever there is flood, cyclones, BSNL is the first one to offer services for free. Seventy-five percent of their revenue goes into salaries of employees while others manage it in 5-10 percent. There are legacy issues which we are looking in to,” Prasad said at the India Economic Conclave.
The state-run telecom firm hasn't been able to pay salaries for September, amid reports that the finance ministry wants BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. shut down. A group of ministers, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has however approved a revival plan proposed by the telecom department.
However, finance ministry officials later raised over 80 objections to the BSNL revival plan proposal prepared by the telecom ministry.