Our Bureau

New Delhi, Nov. 7 The employees union of Bharat Sanchar Nigma Ltd said that the Government’s proposal to list profitable PSUs was totally against the interest of the companies and the workers. BSNL is one of the PSUs mentioned in the list for disinvestment.

BSNL Employees’ Union expressed its protest against the move and said “We have been assured by the Government earlier that BSNL will not be disinvested and in case of any such proposal it will be discussed with the unions. The unilateral decision of the Government is in violation of the agreement.”

“The immediate task for BSNL is not listing but making it financially viable and more service-oriented. The cutting of 45.5 million lines tender into half by the authorities has already resulted in (a) huge loss of market share of the company, dipping it to the 2nd position in total connections and 4th position in mobile lines,” it added.

The employees union also said the company should not cancel the existing tender of 95 million lines. “The company is starving of mobile lines and instead of issuing purchase order for the present tender if the management goes for another tender, it will take a further delay of two years and the result will be an utter disaster,” the union said.

Despite 3G licences having been given to the company, during the last one year, only about 80,000 connections could be provided despite a target of 1,50,000. Broadband connections are delayed due to shortage of modems.

“Listing will not solve any problem, except garnering funds for government. The privatisation of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd and the more-than-45 per cent disinvestment of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd clearly indicate that this proposed listing is only but the first step towards privatisation,” said a statement.

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