In a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has stated that within the next 5 years, the BSNL and MTNL will get a fresh investment of Rs. 39,458 crores towards their revival. Both the PSUs under heavy financial strain and are in loss for the last 4 years.
The Communications Minister stated that the Government is quite serious about the revival of the two telecom PSUs and will invest for network expansion.
BSNL has a loan of Rs. 6,388 crore in June 2014 and MTNL about Rs. 14,760 crore. The Market share of BSNL is 11%, reduced from 15% in the last 5 years since 2009. The loss of BSNL for 2013-14 is Rs. 7,085 crore.
If the government decides, there is no doubt that both BSNL and MTNL can be made profitable. Its policy of favouring the private companies should go. Assistance should be given to the telecom PSUs to tide over the present crisis. Corruption has to be routed out. Efficient management is required. Special consideration is to be given to BSNL which is implementing the universal service obligation commitment of the government. Many important suggestions have been given by the Forum in this connection to the Minister. Let us hope that they will be considered and accepted to ensure revival of BSNL and MTNL