BSNL rollback is fooling public, say protestors

The much touted roll back of BSNL tariffs by Arun Shourie, Union Communications Minister, has not brought smiles to the protestors who are now vigorously against the telecom major. Many of them are saying that the minister has tried to fool the public by saying that BSNL is likely to lose Rs 3,476

crore.

"He has failed to see the huge profits that BSNL has made. This loss is a fictitious amount that BSNL is claiming. In this way, BSNL can have one second pulse rate for one day and then roll back the next day saying they have lost hundred of billions by the rollback," said Paras Shah, one of the protestors.

The protest fast unto death by noted Gandhian and 89 year old former Legislator of Gujarat Assembly, Mahadev Desai has entered the 11th day. He is protesting against the hike in tariffs announced by BSNL. After regularly losing subscribers, BSNL is now facing an uphill task of convincing an increasing number of existing subscribers who are protesting and are threatening to disconnect their connections if the tariffs are not rolled back.

BSNL Chief GM has, however, promised to see to Desai's demands but the septuagenarian is adamant that his fast unto death would only end if, the status quo is maintained with the previous tariffs. "They say the present tariffs are the only viable revenue model. But I say it is not. Privatizing does not mean looting. They have been reducing the free calls for a long time now. Telecommunication is not a luxury now but a basic right and necessity," Desai argued.

His protest outside the Gandhi Ashram is inviting people from wide spectrum of life to come and support the cause. Organizations and individuals all across the state and even outside the state have sent their well wishes and support to him. What surprised Desai was the support of youths in his crusade. "More and more people are realizing the autocratic behavior of corporate and the corporate behavior of the government," he said.

Meanwhile, not satisfied with the rollback, the fasting Gandhian, Mahadev Desai has vowed that unless the telecom major brings back the original tariff that existed prior to April 30, he would continue his fast.

Shah claimed that even after the rollback a call from fixed to mobile has risen by 300 percent. "This is unjust. You can't have a price rise of 300 percent overnight. I believe BSNL made Rs 6,312 crore profit and on what ground are they saying that this hike is inevitable," he asked. 

Binu Alex


(CNS)