“We are functioning at slightly more than 25% staff, due to which some operational issues are being faced. However, we have already undertaken redistribution of staffers to streamline operations. All of the 38 customer service centres in Pune district are functional. We are also working on outsourcing certain tasks to improve services,” Sandeep Sawarkar, principle general manager, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Pune, said.
Addressing a news conference in the city on Monday, Arvind Vadnerkar, director for human resources, BSNL Board, New Delhi, said, “With the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS<\/a>), one step of the revival plan has been completed. Across the country, of the 1.49 lakh employees, 1.02 lakh were over 50 years of age and eligible for VRS. Out of this, 78,000 people opted for VRS across all classes of employees. Another 6,000 employees are between 59 years and 60 years and will retire soon. All this will bring down our spent on salaries by Rs 7,200 crore annually.”
Vadnerkar said the funds saved after the mass VRS would be diverted towards other schemes and issues. “The Centre had promised 4G<\/a> spectrum for BSNL under the revival package. We will be allotted the spectrum in April this year and the 4G services will be available across the country by October. Money saved from salaries will be used towards the 4G infrastructure,” he said.
Speaking about non-payment of electricity bills of BSNL exchanges that led to disconnection of services to thousands of customers, Sawarkar said, “The funds saved from salaries will now be used to clear pending electricity bills and improving infrastructure.”
Vadnerkar also cleared the air pertaining to rumours about the government’s plan to sell the state-owned telecommunications provider. “The news of BSNL being sold off is only a rumour. Through the revival package, the government only wants to make BSNL a profitable and self-sustaining entity,” he added.
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