BSNL is in strategic interest of nation, we are looking into issues, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

Existence of BSNL is in strategic interest of the nation and the government is looking to resolve issues plaguing it, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday. The law and telecom minister acknowledged that there are problems in the telecom sector, which are being looked upon by the government.

“BSNL is in strategic interest of the nation. Whenever there is flood, cyclones, BSNL is the first one to offer services for free. 75 per cent of their revenues goes into salary of employees while others manage it in 5-10 per cent. There are legacy issues which we are looking in to,” Prasad said at India Economic Conclave.

The debt-ridden PSU has not been able to pay salaries of employees for September. There have been reports that the Finance Ministry wants public sector telecom firm BSNL and MTNL to be shut down.