Finance Minister Defends BSNL Amid Criticism

by

Ganpat Singh Chouhan

Finance Minister Defends BSNL Amid Criticism

Mumbai, March 20: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-run telecom operator in India, has been striving for profitability for an extended period. While the company has reported operational profits, achieving a net profit will take more time. The revival packages from the Indian government have positioned BSNL to look toward a brighter future.

In this context, Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Finance Minister, stated, “On BSNL, I must respectfully say that every criticism made against it is incorrect.” Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, she emphasized that the telco was previously “pushed into a critical condition” by the former government.

Over the past six years, BSNL has received a revival package worth Rs 3.22 lakh crore. If such support had been given to a private telecom operator, the outcomes would likely have been significantly better. The Finance Minister’s assertion that all criticisms of BSNL are unfounded suggests a reluctance to hold both the management and the government accountable for the company’s challenges.

Despite differing opinions, BSNL shows potential for the future. As of February 2028, the company has added 97,906 4G sites, with 96,103 now operational. This achievement is commendable, but the journey is far from complete. BSNL still has considerable work ahead, and the government must heed the criticisms directed at the operator.

The current government has introduced several positive measures, including promoting self-reliance and deploying indigenous technology at BSNL. However, this technology has yet to surpass competitors in the market. Nevertheless, it marks a promising start that could lead to significant advancements in the future.

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