Jyotiraditya Scindia defends BSNL's growth amid Opposition's criticism in Parliament

 

 

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently addressed Parliament to defend the performance and growth trajectory of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), countering criticism from the Opposition over its operations and financial health. Scindia’s response came during a heated debate where the Opposition raised concerns about BSNL's ability to compete in the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector and its role in achieving the government’s ambitious Digital India goals.

 

Scindia responded in Marathi to a question posed by Pratibha Dhanorkar, a Congress MP from Maharashtra, regarding BSNL's current state. "I want to ask the honourable MP, when it was their government, what was the situation of BSNL in India? In 2019, during PM Modi's governance, we gave Rs 3,35,000 crore to BSNL. The Rs 9,000 crore loss-making PSU is now making Rs 2,000 crore profit," Scindia said.

 

Scindia highlighted the government's unwavering commitment to revitalizing BSNL through a series of measures aimed at improving its operational efficiency, technological capabilities, and market competitiveness. He pointed to the recent financial assistance packages extended to the state-owned telecom giant, including a ₹1.64 lakh crore revival plan announced in 2022, as evidence of the government's intent to secure its long-term viability.

According to Scindia, these initiatives are already yielding results. BSNL has been steadily upgrading its infrastructure to roll out 4G and eventually 5G services, ensuring it remains relevant in an intensely competitive market dominated by private players. "We have provided 2,500 BTS for the 4G network. In the monsoon session of Parliament in July 2024, the communications ministry informed that the rollout of BSNL's 4G services may take another year. The network is now expected to be completed by May 2025," Scindia explained. 

 

He emphasized that BSNL is not only a telecom provider but also a strategic asset for the nation, playing a pivotal role in providing connectivity to underserved and remote areas. "So far, BSNL has activated only 1,000 sites, with an ambitious target of 100,000 sites across the country," he added.   

 

In his defense, Scindia reiterated that BSNL’s challenges stem from years of neglect before the current administration took charge. He argued that the company’s ongoing transformation is a testament to the government’s commitment to modernizing BSNL and making it competitive. Scindia assured Parliament that BSNL is on a clear path to recovery, with significant improvements expected in the coming years as the company rolls out its 4G and 5G networks. He called for bipartisan support to help BSNL achieve its objectives and continue contributing to India’s digital transformation.