Parliament: No Plan for Disinvestment of BSNL, Govt Assures Members

New Delhi: The government has no plans for disinvestment of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan in a written reply to the Lok Sabha also asserted that there is no delay or deficiency in services provided by BSNL due to the implementation of voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) in early 2020.

The current strength of employees is sufficient for the operation of the state-owned telecom corporation, Chauhan said.

"There is no plan under consideration for disinvestment of BSNL," Chauhan said to a question related to immovable assets of BSNL.

The value of immovable assets, including buildings, lands, towers, telecom equipment and non-telecom equipment as of March 31, 2021, adds to Rs 89,878 crore (total netblock), as per audited financials.

As of December 31, 2021, the all India market share of BSNL stood at 9.90% for mobile subscribers, and 15.40% for wired broadband subscribers.

The government had approved a revival plan for BSNL in October 2019, which included measures to reduce the staff cost through a VRS for employees of 50 years of age and above, administrative allotment of spectrum for providing 4G services with funding through budgetary allocation, monetisation of non-core and core assets to generate resources to retire debt, meet capital expenditure and other requirement and debt restructuring by raising of sovereign guarantee bonds.

"As a result of these measures, BSNL has become EBITDA positive (operating profit) in 2020-21," Chauhan said.

Govt has so far blocked 320 mobile apps: Minister

The government has so far blocked 320 mobile applications under a provision of the Information Technology (IT) Act  to ensure a safe, trustworthy and accountable internet for all its users, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash also said that these mobile applications were blocked in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, defence and security of the state.

In February, 49 apps were re-blocked after they were found to have been re-launched after rebranding of earlier blocked apps, he said.

"In line with the objective to ensure a safe, trustworthy and accountable internet for all its users, the government has so far blocked 320 mobile applications under the provision of section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000," Parkash said.

In another written reply, he said India has received only $2.45 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China during April 2000 to December 2021.

"China stands at 20th position with only 0.43% share ($2.45 billion) in total FDI equity inflow reported in India during the period of April 2000 to December, 2021," he added.

6 out of 20 states favour re-categorisation of sub-castes: Govt

Only six of the 20 states that have responded on the recommendation of re-categorisation of sub-castes have favoured this sub-categorisation, the government informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment A Narayanaswamy said these six states are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana and Punjab.

The minister was asked whether the government has any proposal to provide reservation within reservation to Madiga and Relli communities in Andhra Pradesh.

Narayanaswamy said the matter is pending before the Supreme Court and is sub-judice.

To a suggestion on whether the government would convene an all-party meet on the issue, as demanded by the BJP a few years ago, he said this is a call that would be taken by the prime minister.

"So far 20 states and Union territories have responded. 14 states have not favoured this sub-categorisation. But six states, including the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana and Punjab are in favour of sub-categorisation," the minister said.

In his written reply, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said, "The issue of sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes is presently sub-judice in the Supreme Court."