IT minister advises BSNL to re-examine GSM tenders

IT minister advises BSNL to re-examine GSM tenders

NEW DELHI: Assuring employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) that their interests would be fully protected, Union Communications and Information Technology minister A Raja said that he advised BSNL to re-examine the GSM tenders as he had found some discrepancies in processing these.

Describing the one-day strike by the Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations of Non-executives and Executives as unwarranted, a statement issued by the ministry said the proposal for procurement of 45.5 million lines for 2G and 3G expansion of BSNL had been examined by the minister.

The ministry noted that the strike had put the customers into unwanted hardship, and the minister expressed his unhappiness over the strike despite his best efforts and assurances to the Joint Forum.

 
Raja had met representatives of the Joint Forum for two days on Monday and Tuesday to allay their apprehensions and explained the reasons for his advice to BSNL.

Furthermore, the ministry said the telecom secretary had assured the Forum that BSNL will give its response to all the queries raised within a week’s time. The interest of BSNL will be protected, appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that BSNL does not suffer due to lack of network capacity during the intervening period till receipt of supplies under the tender, and serious efforts will be made so that BSNL remains in full readiness to utilize the benefits of technological evolution in 2G/3G/WiMAX.