Question : SAM PITRODA COMMITTEE REPORT

(a) whether the Government has constituted any committee/mechanism for implementation of the recommendations made by Sam Pitroda Committee for improving the performance of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has undertaken any review of performance and quality of service offered by BSNL and MTNL in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the profit/loss incurred during the last three years and the current year, State-wise including Bihar and Jharkhand; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the performance of said telecom companies?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SACHIN PILOT)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The recommendations of Sam Pitroda Committee were discussed in the full Telecom Commission meeting on 7th July 2010. The Telecom Commission has decided to constitute internal committee under Chairmanship of Member (Services), Department of Telecommunications to give its recommendations. The committee may take inputs from BSNL including Employees Associations of BSNL.

(c) & (d) BSNL and MTNL have been signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Department of Telecommunications (DOT) on yearly basis in accordance with the MOU Monitoring Guidelines of the Department of Public Enterprises. The review of the same is held on quarterly basis. Further, various interactions on the overall performance of BSNL and MTNL, quality of service offered by BSNL and MTNL, suggestions for improving the services etc also happens on periodic basis at various levels in Department of Telecommunications. Details of net profit before tax (circle wise) for BSNL for the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 are given in Annexure-I. Accounts for the year 2009-10 for BSNL have not yet been finalized.

Details of net profit before tax for MTNL for the last 3 years are at Annexure-II.

(e) BSNL embarked upon a systematic exercise in December 2008 to develop an overall strategy and transformation agenda. Several changes have been implemented in BSNL’s organization structure with the objective of effectively implementing the overall business strategy and providing adequate end-to-end focus on key growth segments. In addition, several initiatives aimed at providing higher thrust on marketing, sales & distribution and customer activities are being implemented.