(a) whether the Government has laid down any roadmap for the revival of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has considered the future prospects of BSNL’s current employees and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for the welfare of BSNL’s current employees?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS,
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) The Government has approved the revival plan for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on 23.10.2019. The revival plan inter-alia, includes the measures to reduce the Staff cost through a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for the employees of age 50 years and above, administrative allotment of spectrum to BSNL for providing 4G services, monetisation of assets of BSNL, and debt restructuring by raising of sovereign guarantee bonds.
(b) & (c) Government has taken following steps to make BSNL competitive and self-sustaining that will ensure welfare and future prospects of current employees:
(i) Reduction in staff cost through Voluntary Retirement Scheme to improve financials of BSNL;
(ii) Administrative allocation of spectrum for 4G services to increase the market share of mobile business and higher Average Revenue per User (APRU).
(iii) Monetisation of sparable land and buildings so as to address the liquidity requirement and re-payment of borrowings so far made.
(iv) Sovereign guarantee bonds to restructure existing borrowing and support CAPEX/OPEX.
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