In today’s competitive market of data, Jio recently launched some attractive offers to its consumers: 100GB for ₹699 at 100MBPS and 500 GB for ₹1,299 but at 250MBPS. Now, BSNL offers 500GB for ₹599 but at 50MBPS and 750GB again only at 100MBPS for ₹1,277.
Now, the question is, who snatched away the speed of BSNL network, which at one time was known as the biggest telecom sector? There was huge storage of reserve of ₹35,000 crores even in 2005, and it was flourishing around the world. But today, it is running at a loss of ₹14,000 crores (only in 2018-19). Not only that, the situation in BSNL is pushed in such a way that around 58,000 employees are compelled to take VRS (Volunteer Retirement Scheme) after lowering the age of retirement to around 50 years.
But how has the situation become so adverse? Is it a sudden occurrence? Absolutely not. There had been a series of looting and damaging of the institution after the Vajpayeeji’s government. For example, you can look up the 3G spectrum auction in 2010 which involved ministers like A.Raja and others, where BSNL did not enter the auction to bid for 3G spectrum. It was bought later for around ₹17,000 crores. BSNL left the competitive market due to damage of its finance. A similar case was repeated in 2016 where it did not enter the bid for the 4G tender. Continuous requests were made to the PMO, to let BSNL get back in the market by writing 17 letters, but there was no response.
During this time, BSNL research wing had reached to 7G technology which was only in South Korea. But Jio had flourished in such a way that many telecom companies strove hard to compete, and many shattered which resulted in the loss of jobs for many employees. But BSNL still exists with its effort, but today, the condition is so bad that employment is barely available.
Yet somehow, it is not the topic of debate on the media channels. They stick to their discussions on Pakistan. Also today, it has become a trend that anyone who does not agree with the decision of the Modi government will be called an anti-national or a Leftist. Recently, a prominent BJP leader BL Santosh claimed that the recent resignation of the three IAS officers was due to their “cosy relationship with Left”.