Adviser for telecom merger

The Centre has taken another shot at the merger of MTNL and BSNL with the Department of Telecommunication appointing audit and consulting firm Deloitte as a transaction advisor for the exercise.

Sources said Deloitte has been asked to give a detailed report within six months to the government, with options on the merger.

They said the entire exercise could take at least two years.

“No timeline has been set since MTNL would have to be delisted first. The PSU needs to get other clearances including from Sebi. Considering the complexity involved in the process the merger could take at least two years.”