The Hindu : Mahajan reviews BSNL, MTNL performance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 09, 2003

National

National

Mahajan reviews BSNL, MTNL performance

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI JAN. 8. The Communications Minister, Pramod Mahajan, today summoned the top brass of the two public sector telecom giants, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and "reviewed" the performance of the two companies.

The top brass got a "dressing down" and were asked to pay more attention to marketing. Mr. Mahajan was also understood to have asked BSNL to capitalise on its strength, become aggressive in small towns where private companies have not yet fanned out in force.

When the officers pointed out that the main problem in expanding operations was the delay in finalising orders for equipment — which some say was due to pressure from "higher ups" leading even to the removal of a CMD — the Minister asked them to frame an appropriate strategy.

The meeting took place a day after BSNL and MTNL reduced the STD rates of their cellular operations.

Despite a huge clamour in small towns and cities, BSNL has not been unable to offer cellular services in many areas because of the dearth of equipment.

MTNL, on the other hand, had evoked a tepid response in Mumbai. In Delhi, where there was some demand, there were complaints of unavailability of the SIM cards.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National