Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), is one of the first PSUs, termed as the Temples of Modern India, started in the country by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1948 in order to develop the telecom infrastructure in the country. ITI did a great job and the most of the telephone equipments, exchanges and accessories were manufactured by it for three four decades. After the neo-liberalisation policy being implemented by the government in the 1990s, like many other PSUs, ITI was also ignored including R andD resulting in a grim situation. The big MNCs entered the telecom area in India and the financial viability of ITI came down. ITI is in loss for the past few years, but the government has not taken any important action for revival except giving some meagre assistance for payment of salary etc.
The Unions in the ITI have been continuously pressing for modernisation, manufacture of latest telecom equipments etc. but the government did not act. The demand for merger with BSNL will not solve the problem, since BSNL itself is in a difficult situation and also that ITI is a manufacturing unit while BSNL is a service provider.
Now it is reported that the DOT has sought about Rs. 6830/- from the finance ministry for revival of the company. It is a good development. The Telecom Commission is yet to plan the revival. In my opinion, it should not be simple assistance only. A road map should be prepared how the revival steps are to be taken. The latest technology and marketing is necessary to ensure that it can compete with the MNCs operating in this country. As a PSU, it should be given certain concessions in the initial state at least. There should be continuous monitoring and the Unions in the industry should be involved in the revival plan.
ITI should be restored to its earlier glory. It is possible if the govenment takes necessary measures.