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Government Planning Financial Package For BSNL, Says Arjun Ram Meghwal

The government was working on BSNL-MTNL merger plan but dropped the idea after opposition from employee unions, says the minister.

Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. (Photo: PTI)
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. (Photo: PTI)

The government is planning a financial package for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. as the cash-strapped state-run telecom firm is a “top priority", Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Monday.

The minister's statement comes amid reports that state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. and BSNL are incurring losses and facing problems in clearing salaries.

Meghwal said the government was working on a BSNL-MTNL merger plan, but some unions and associations wanted to keep them as two separate entities.

"BSNL requires some package from the government. We want BSNL to be promoted. That is the top priority of the government. We want that BSNL should work properly. So, we are also thinking about the package. You will find in future that we will provide some packages to BSNL," the Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises said, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi to mark the 100 days of the second Narendra Modi government.

The proposal for a financial package submitted by BSNL is under consideration of the finance ministry, he added.

According to Meghwal, BSNL was hit by problems in 1995 but now the government wants to promote the telecom company. "It is not the issue of closure. That was in 1995," he said.