Poll connectivity at stake, govt requests time to pay BSNL’s bills

Nagpur: With Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) going through a major cash crunch, it has been unable to pay even electricity bills in time. The department of telecommunications (DoT) has now requested chief secretaries of all states to stop their power utilities from disconnecting power connections to the company, so that it does not lead to embarrassment during election period.

Due to non-payment of electricity bills in time, a number of power utilities have discontinued supply to BSNL exchanges from time to time across the country. As the payment has not been streamlined yet, the risk of disconnection continues. The cash crunch had also led to salaries being delayed for a fortnight in March.