Mr. Abhimanyu concluded that private operators, in connivance with the Modi government, are trying to kill the BSNL. He also stressed that he and his union will continue to fight for the company.
BSNL Employees Union (BSNLEU), the Main Recognised Union in BSNL, has announced through a statement that it will be organizing a countrywide dharna programme on 26.06.2020 against the Modi government, demanding settlement of some issues. After the delay in rolling out BSNL’s 4G service network, now based on a complaint by Telecom Equipments and Services Promotion Council (TEPC), the government has put on hold the tender floated by BSNL to procure 4G equipment.
After the press statement, in an interview given to HW News, BSNLEU General Secretary P Abhimanyu talked in detail about the pertaining issues that the BSNL has been facing lately.
When asked about the recent reports on the government’s decision to tell Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) not to use Chinese telecom gear in their 4G upgradation, which is being supported as part of their revival package, Mr. Abhimanyu said, “There has been a lot of buzz in media about this, but we have not received any confirmation on this from the government. There may be another news tomorrow about the government of India not taking any such decision.”
Citing the recent example of how the United States exerted pressure on India not to use the Huawei products to roll-out 5G network, and India still went on with Huawei saying that it was not a political decision, but a commercial one, Mr. Abhimanyu said, “Now some kneejerk reactions from some statesmen are coming, but I am not sure if the government has taken this decision (not to allow Chinese equipment in BSNL’s 4G roll-out).
Stressing on why the government cannot take such a decision, he said, “For BSNL or any other private player, the vast portion of networks is installed with Chinese equipment. I don’t know how Government is planning to implement the ban on these Chinese companies.”
“There have been statements from people, but the government of India has not taken any such decision as far as I know. If the government takes this decision, it will deny a level playing ground for BSNL. When all private networks will utilize the equipment from Chinese vendors, how BSNL alone can be prohibited?” Mr. Abhimanyu asked.
Re-iterating from the BSNLEU’s statement, how people with “vested interests” are trying to scuttle BSNL’s 4G roll-out, he further said, “I did not mention the names in the statement, but it’s Jio, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea and other private operators. Private operators are scared that BSNL is going to roll out its 4G service. Who is this TEPC? It is some inconsequential organization. They could have been purchased. I had never heard of this TEPC in my entire career. Private players have a hand behind this TEPC complaint.”
“All the private operators are procuring world-class equipment from multi-national vendors, why should BSNL be told to procure equipment from some inconsequential companies whose 4G technology has not been proven. They do not have experience of managing such vast network,” he further said.
Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not want BSNL revived, the General Secretary of BSNLEU said, “It will hurt his friend Mukesh Ambani. Fibre To Home is one sector where Jio has been defeated by BSNL. Reliance launched Jio Fibre, but BSNL already has a vast reach in the sector. There is a huge demand for BNSL’s Fibre To Home service. Jio Fibre is a great failure. They know if BSNL launches its 4G service, considering BSNL’s large user base, it will be a big problem for them.”
Talking about the recent promotion of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” & Make In India, he said, “I don’t know how the Prime Minister is talking about “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. The entire public sector is being handed over to multinational companies. 100% FDA is allowed in Railways, banking sector, defense production, coal, telecommunication. Coal federations are going on a 3-day strike against the privatization. 82,000 employees in the defense sector are planning to on a strike because 41 ordinance factories are handed over to multinational companies. How is Narendra Modi Talking about self-reliance?”
Mr. Abhimanyu concluded that private operators, in connivance with the Modi government, are trying to kill the BSNL. He also stressed that he and his union will continue to fight for the company.
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