Ailing state-run telecom firms BSNL and MTNL have total outstanding dues of Rs 3,407.39 crore from subscribers as on December 2014.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said that outstanding dues in respect of landline and mobile services of BSNL stood at Rs 2,520.31 crore and Rs 887.08 crore for MTNL as on December 31, 2014.
Prasad further said that a total amount of Rs 25,341.48 crore has been recovered from BSNL subscribers (landline and mobile) in the last three years and current year till December 2014.
The Minister said Rs 7,577.07 crore was recovered from BSNL subscribers in 2011-12, Rs 6,563.70 crore in 2012-13, Rs 6,436.23 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 4,764.48 crore in 2014-15 (up to December 2014).
The amount for MTNL services during the same period stood at Rs 736.25 crore.
He said in 2011-12, Rs 195.76 crore was recovered, whereas Rs 189.25 crore were recovered in 2012-13, Rs 237.68 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 113.56 crore in 2014-15 (up to December 2014).
BSNL and MTNL have taken various steps for recovery of outstanding dues from the subscribers, which include payment reminders through SMS are being issued to persuade the customers to make payment before disconnection for their telephones.
Phones are disconnected as per the schedule in case of non-payment for dues by customers and connections remaining disconnected for non-payment are permanently closed after 90 days from date of disconnection.
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