The Prime Minister's Office has sought clarifications from the Department of Telecom(DoT) regarding alleged lack of transparency in BSNL's recently floated tender for adding 45.5 million GSM lines. BSNL had floated a tender for adding 60 million GSM lines, of which a contract for about 15 million lines was awarded to ITI-Alcatel joint venture leaving three bidders, Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens, in the fray for the remaining 45.5 million lines. "The specifications of the above tender have been repeatedly changed to protect the interest of some foreign firms," a letter from PMO to DoT says. According to the PMO communique, "several informal instructions have been issued to the BSNL from senior levels in the ministry and there are apprehensions that the tender may be finalised in a not very transparent manner." French telecom major Alcatel has tied up with ITI, which is getting contract from BSNL under reserved quota for PSU and of this Alcatel would indirectly get 40-45% share.According to PMO, Alcatel's share has been valued at about Rs 2,000 crore.
