The employees’ union of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has said that private telecom players have no reason to object to a Government proposal to give the PSU financial support. The workers’ union said the private players now argue for a level-playing field even though they have been continuously getting all benefits and undue favours from the Government.

“In the auctions for spectrum, while the private players could bid for their choice circle, BSNL and MTNL were denied the right to bid, but were compelled to pay the charges for the highest bid in all circle, resulting in almost double the amount that the private telcos paid,” said V. A.N. Namboodiri, Convenor of the joint forum of BSNL workers’ union.

Private mobile operators have raised objections to a proposal to give financial support to State-run telecom companies. The Cellular Operators Association of India and the Association of Unified Service Providers of India have written to the Government saying that it will disturb the level-playing field if financial support is given.

The Department of Telecom has sought the Cabinet’s approval for a Rs 20,000-crore bailout package for BSNL and MTNL. The Department proposes to waive the one-time spectrum charge and refund money for broadband spectrum that has been surrendered.

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