Date:01/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/01/stories/2005110103200400.htm

Back BSNL to pay dividend to Govt

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI: State-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Monday said it would pay a total dividend of Rs 1,175 crore to the Government.

In its fifth AGM held here on Monday, the PSU decided to pay a total dividend of Rs 1,175 crore to the Government, which consists of Rs 500 crore as dividend on equity share capital (Rs 200 crore as interim and Rs 300 crore as final dividend) and Rs 675 crore on preference share capital, a BSNL release said here. "BSNL has also been contributing significantly to the Government by way of licence fee, spectrum charges and service tax. The company has paid close to Rs 3,000 crore towards service tax during 2004-05. The company has also paid Rs 3,377 crore towards licence fees and spectrum charges," it added.