INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
its revival plans are under active consideration of the government through VRS and 4G spectrum allocation."Recently, there have been
published media reports on clsoure of BSNL
It is clarified that there is a plan under active consideration for revival of BSNL by the government by giving suitable packages in terms
of VRS/4G spectrum and allowing monetisation of assets available with BSNL," it said in a statement.Official sources said the Finance
Ministry is not in favour of capital infusion in BSNL and MTNL as it does not see any utility of such funding into sick PSUs at a time when
it is required to step up public spending to revive a slowing economy
The ministry has put forward its views in the draft cabinet note circulated in this regard earlier.In the Cabinet note, the Department of
Telecom had sought Rs 50,000 crore over a 10-year period (through bonds) for a voluntary retirement scheme, 4G spectrum, and working
capital, said Finance Ministry sources adding the Ministry had expressed its stand on the revival plan in the detailed cabinet note."As the
ministry which would allocate funds, we have have given our view on the proposals of BSNL/MTNL
It's up to the Cabinet to decide what to do and when to take up the proposal," officials said.The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is also
open to consider revival plans for the ailing telecom PSUs
But with continuous opposition of the Finance Ministry, the PMO is also now learnt to have asked the high-level panel, looking into the
revival of MTNL and BSNL, to explain if the two telecom PSUs can be turned around and how.A group of ministers headed by Home Minister Amit
Shah had earlier approved the revival plan proposed by the Department of Telecom.Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from
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