The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has announced a strike all over the country on 21st and 22nd April, 2015 demanding immediate attention to revive BSNL. The strike will begin at the midnight of 20th April 2015. According to the union, consisting of 2.25 lakhs BSNL employees, the deliberate decisions from the part of Government and management is responsible for the current Rs. 7000-8000 crore per year loss of the provider. Till 2006, BSNL was earning a huge profit of Rs. 8000-10,000 crore, with an annual revenue of Rs. 40,000 crore.
The Government, however, refrained itself from implementing any assurances it gave to BSNL, including that of financial viabilities, BSNL tenders of mobile equipment or even from purchasing various equipment necessary for smooth functioning of the services. The union further blamed the Government for the bias it showed in favor of private companies.
BSNL bear a loss of Rs. 10,000 crore annually for providing services to rural India. Government had promised to compensate this loss by assuring to pay Access Deficit Charge (ADC), refunding license fee and by providing a liberal subsidy from the USO fund, none of which are now provided by the Government. The cost of spectrum, of Rs. 6,700 crore, which the service provider had surrendered to Government is also on due. The employees demand that, if such dues are cleared, then the service provider can buy the necessary equipment.
BSNL Union further demand the Government to start 4G services and to accept the proposals for better customer care, which the union had earlier suggested the Government. Although the strike is called for the betterment of BSNL, Department of Telecommunications nor the Communications Ministry has taken any steps for discussions of the issue.
The Union said that the entire responsibility for the adverse effect on services during the strike days are attributed to the Government and the management.
