First of all, we thank our Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi, our Hon'ble Minister of Communication, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad Ji, our Hon'ble Minister of State for Communication Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre and Government of India for this historic decision to turn around the fortune of one of the strategic asset of the Nation i.e. BSNL. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Secretary, Members and all senior officers of the Department of Telecommunications who put their day and night and worked tirelessly to prepare the BSNL Revival Plan to bring a sea change in the fortune of the company. Finally, it's our BSNL Board which dreamed this ambitious plan and put their best efforts to put all documentations, ideas and support to prepare & push the much required BSNL Revival Plan. So, we whole heartedly thank the efforts of our respected Shri P. K. Purwar Ji - Chairman & Managing Director (BSNL), Shri Vivek Banzal Ji - Director (CFA), Shri Sheetla Prasad Ji - Director (CM), Shri Arvind Vadnerkar Ji - Director (HR), Shri B. L. Varshney Ji Director (EB), Shri Suresh Kumar Gupta Director (Fin).
At last! We thank our AIGETOA and entire BSNL Recruited Fraternity for supporting the BSNL Revival Plan from day one against opposition from almost all corners. Our support to the cause also finds a mention in the Hon'ble Minister press brief today. Our continuous interaction with Ministry of Telecom, Dept of Telecommunication, BSNL Board of Directors and other related departments through letter and personal meetings helped in building a consensus that a large section of employees are supporting the cause in the larger interest of the BSNL. We also thanks our fellow colleagues and public for supporting the cause on Social Media, specially generating top trends on multi occasions with #IndianeedBSNL, #SwitchtoBSNL, #BSNL4G, #BSN_Revival and others.
Let's We All Come Together To Build A New BSNL
Salient Points approved by cabinet for BSNL-MTNL Revival:
1. Administrative allotment of spectrum for 4G services to BSNL and MTNL so as to enable these PSUs to provide broadband and other data services. The said Spectrum will be funded by the Government of India by capital infusion in these PSUs at a value of Rs 20,140 Cr in addition; the GST amount of Rs 3,674 Cr to this spectrum value will also be borne by the Government of India through Budgetary resources. By using this spectrum allotment, BSNL and MTNL will be able to deliver 4G services, compete in the market and provide high speed data using their vast network including in rural areas.
2. BSNL and MTNL will also raise long-term bonds of Rs 15,000 Cr for which sovereign guarantee will be provided by the Government of India (GoI). With the said resources, BSNL and MTNL will restructure their existing debt and also partly meet CAPEX, OPEX and other requirements.
3. BSNL and MTNL will also offer Voluntary Retirement to their employees, aged 50 years and above through attractive Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), the cost of which will be borne by the Government of India through budgetary support. The ex-gratia component of VRS will require Rs. 17,169 Cr in addition; GoI will be meeting the cost towards Pension, Gratuity and Commutation. Details of the scheme will be finalized by BSNL/MTNL.
4. BSNL and MTNL will monetize their assets so as to raise resources for retiring debt, servicing of bonds, network up gradation, expansion and meeting the operational fund requirements.
5. In-principle merger of BSNL and MTNL.