They oppose privatisation move by the government
Several executive and non-executive members of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited on Thursday strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to consider NITI Aayog’s recommendation on disinvestment/strategic sale of BSNL as conveyed by the PMO to the Secretary of the Department of Telecom through a letter dated December 30, 2016.
As part of their nationwide protest against the Centre’s move to privatise the government undertaking, BSNL employees took out a rally in the city and submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They demanded that the BSNL must fully remain a government undertaking and said that they would oppose all moves to privatise it “in the interest of its customers and the nation.” They said BSNL decisions of the government should be focused on strengthening the company, not weaken it.
The employees said it was unfortunate that Reliance Jio, a private player, was allowed to utilise the photograph of the Prime Minister for its commercial advertisements and unduly allowed to extend its free data and free voice plan beyond 90 days for a total period of 180 days in violation of rules. “The government must stop such undue concessions to Reliance Jio immediately and it must be asked to pay exemplary penalty for utilising the Prime Minister’s photo and compensate loss to the exchequer and other operators by its predatory pricing and illegal and irregular extension of free data and free calls.”
The association said the BSNL was allotted non-standard BWA spectrum (4G compatible spectrum) for a huge amount. The BSNL had already surrendered this spectrum in six major circles so far. The non-standard quality of spectrum had become a hurdle for BSNL to compete with other operators who enjoy better 4G spectrum quality.
The protest was led by BSNL Employees Union District Secretary Y.R. Hanchinmani and leaders of other BSNL employees’ associations.
