The government is taking steps to make public sector BSNL more competitive and these include upgradation of technology and capital infusion, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government has inherited legacy issues and steps are being taken to make BSNL more competitive.
"To ensure stability in the Telecom sector, one PSU is very important," Prasad told the house, adding that it must be noted that India has the cheapest mobile and data rates across the world.
Minister of State for Communications Sanjay Shamrao Bhotre said the government is considering capital infusion, including equity infusion in the public sector telecom company
Meanwhile, in his written reply, the minister said, "Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has informed that no proposal to lay off over 54,000 employees has been approved by BSNL."