Question : BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED

(a) whether the new body Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) would be able to fulfil the obligation of expending telephone services to every nook and corner of the country;

(b) if so, the teledensity in India at present and how it is compared with the foreign countries;

(c) whether due to open sky policy in Telecommunication centre, the Government has taken the step formation of BSNL;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether valuation of assets of the Department of Telecom Services (DTS) transferred to the BSNL have been undertaken by the Government;

(f) if so, the amount of network of Government`s telecom stock thus transferred;
(g) the manner in which the existing staff is likely to be adjusted under each department to safeguard their interest;
(h) whether the Government have calculated the additional financial burden that will evolve the BSNL; and
(i) if so, the details of such amount and manner in which BSNL waive the liability?

THE MINSTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The teledensity in India as on 31st October, 2000 is about 3% as against the average global teledensity of around 14.

(c) & (d) In accordance with the provisions of the New Telecom Policy, 1999, which had stipulated the separation of policy and licensing functions of the Department of Telecommunications from the service provision functions, a separate Department was created in October, 1999 which has now been corporatised as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited - a wholly owned Government Company. The Company has commenced operations from 1st October, 2000.

(e) & (f) For the present, pending detailed valuation, assets of the Department of Telecom Services (DTS) have been transferred to the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited at a provisional value of Rs. 63,000 crores.

(g) to (i) The interest of employees are well protected and they stand transferred to BSNL along with their posts on existing terms and conditions, on as is where is basis, on deemed deputation without deputation allowance, w.e.f. 1st October, 2000. The additional burden on BSNL on this account will be known only after the finalisation of pay and allowances of its employees.