The right call

It's now for the telcos to strengthen their finances

The Union Cabinet’s decisions on Wednesday are vital steps towards reviving the embattled telecommunications sector in India and preserving its competitive nature. Although the private sector-led telecom revolution has been instrumental in propelling the India growth story, several administrative and judicial decisions over the past decade have placed it under enormous pressure. Some of these are now being addressed through the Cabinet’s decisions, and the government’s intent and decisiveness should be applauded.

The Union minister for telecommunications, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has described the Cabinet has made “nine structural changes and five process reforms”. Of these, one major improvement — long sought by