DoT prepares Rs 74,000 crore revival plan for BSNL, MTNL

NEW DELHI: The DoT will send a proposal to the Cabinet for a revival plan worth Rs 74,000 crore for the ailing state-run telecom firms – BSNL and MTNL – where Rs 22,000 crore would be in the way of capital infusion for acquiring 4G spectrum, and for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), part of the expenditure for which will be borne both companies.
The department of telecom (DoT) move comes following the appointment of a high-level committee to look into the revival of MTNL and BSNL, an official source said on Tuesday.
“The telecom ministry’s decision to send the revival proposals of BSNL and MTNL will go to the cabinet this month along with opinions given by all ministries, including the finance ministriy. It will also contain the response of the nodal ministry to the queries, responses and comments given by several other ministries,” the source said.
“The cabinet had earlier asked DoT to relook and respond to the issues raised by finance ministry, now we have done that. We will send the proposal when the Cabinet Secretariat places it on its agenda, it’s their call.