Finance Ministry unconvinced to allot 4G spectrum to BSNL.

The New Indian Express dated 28-03-2018, has reported that, the Union Finance Ministry is not convinced to allot 4G spectrum to BSNL. According to the paper, the estimated cost of the spectrum is Rs 13,885 crore. In it's proposal submitted to the government, the BSNL Management had stated that, out of this amount, BSNL will pay 50 per cent in 10 equal instalments, and the remaining 50% to be adjusted through capital infusion by the government. It means the government will increase it's share capital in BSNL to the tune of Rs.6942.5 crore. Practically, the government need not spend even a naya paisa from it's pocket on account of this. When this being the case, why the Finance Ministry is not in favour of allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL. It may also be recollected that, earlier, the Niti Aayog had also opposed allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL. Have the Niti Aayog and the Finance Ministry forgotten the fact that, BSNL is the government's own company? The picture is very clear now. The government does not want BSNL to get revived and emerge as a strong competitor to Reliance Jio.

[Date : 17 - Sep - 2020]