DoT, BSNL delaying mobile connectivity project in Arunachal:

The DoT and the BSNL are delaying a key mobile connectivity project in Arunachal Pradesh and they have gone "out of the way" to allow a private firm's bids in it, an MP from the state has alleged in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ninong Ering, the Lok Sabha member, also said the entire project is set to go for litigation.
Officers of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) "went out of the way" to allow a private firm -- HFCL's -- bids by making post-bid changes during the tendering process.

"This is not only against the BSNL's established process, but also against the CVC guidelines," Ering said.
The entire tender, that would have been finalised in November last year and work would have started by now, is in limbo, he claimed.
"It is important to note how some officers of the DoT and the USOF derail the projects.

"Because of this illegal act of the USOF, DoT and the BSNL, the process is not only being delayed, but is set to go for litigation and deprive the people of the northeast, especially Arunachal Pradesh, of communication facilities which is the basic requirement for Digital India and financial inclusion," Ering said in the letter dated March 20.

This is not the first time that Ering has raised the issue with the Prime Minister. Earlier also, he had written to both the communication ministry and to the Prime Minister seeking their intervention.
"I am sad to inform you that despite my numerous request letters to the ministry of communications and follow up letters to your good self, no progress has been made in the mobile tower project. Rather the entire project is set to go for litigation," he said.