Why government’s rescue plan for BSNL may not work

The state-controlled Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) continues to be at a receiving end following bureaucratic uncertainties leading to an erosion of potential revenue opportunities on the back of Rs 20,000 crore-strong mega connectivity programs despite the Centre’s thrust to revive the stressed telco.
“The ambitious rural mobile connectivity initiatives with the state-owned carrier being a nominated partner are now under consideration for open bidding,” a source told ETT, and added that the total value of such programs stands at Rs 20,956.23 crore.
Telecom infrastructure projects— Northeast-I, Left-Wing Extremism-II, Aspirational Villages and Meghalaya— are being under ‘active deliberations for open bidding’ with BSNL being sidelined by the top echelons of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).