BSNL mobile marketshare: CPI(M) writes to PM

In a strongly-worded letter, the CPI(M) has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's urgent intervention to shore up BSNL's mobile capacity.

Terming the current situation in which BSNL is handicapped in increasing its share of the fast-growing mobile market, the CPI(M) has warned that the state-owned telecom major may slip further if corrective action is not taken.

"This is a classic case where a public sector undertaking (PSU) is disallowed so that the private sector can make super profits", said Sitaram Yechury, a Politburo member and the party's Rajya Sabha leader. The party is yet to get a reply to the letter.

The CPI(M) said for the last six months, BSNL was unable to provide additional mobile lines as its tender for 45.5 million lines was stalled for more than a year. "It was only after the Left's intervention and agitation by the unions that the order for 22.5 million lines was cleared. Till date, only 13.5 million lines out of 44.5 million have been awarded", Yechury said in the letter, sent today. This was hampering BSNL's efforts to provide new connections, especially in southern states, he said.

Yechury also asked for action against two private telecom companies""Nokia and Siemens. "BSNL is currently unable to provide any new line in southern states as Nokia and Siemens have refused the order for 9.5 million lines, hoping to blackmail BSNL/DoT," he said.

Interestingly, the CPI(M)'s allegations have come against a ministry which is headed by the DMK, a party which threatened to pull out of the coalition against privatisation of Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. While the DMK's pressure forced the government to halt its disinvestment programme, a DMK-led ministry now faces charges from the CPI(M) for neglecting a major PSU. An angry CPI(M) has also decided to take up the matter with DMK chief K Karunanidhi.

"We will definitely take up the case with the DMK. Not at the minister level but at the political leadership level," said Yechury.