Comments on: Rants on BSNL Service at Ziro-Hapoli http://www.arunachaldiary.com/2008/10/rants-on-bsnl-service-at-ziro-hapoli/ An Insight into Arunachal Pradesh Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: wiian http://www.arunachaldiary.com/2008/10/rants-on-bsnl-service-at-ziro-hapoli/#comment-1091 wiian Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:28:00 +0000 http://arunachaldiary.com/?p=318#comment-1091 Sorry for coming up with something completely off-topic. <br/><br/><br/>I keep hearing people talk about BSNL being a semi-private company which is nothing but a blurred notion of disinvestment/ privatization in neo-liberal India. Even many employees of the company think likewise. I wasn't sure as well until some time back.<br/><br/>BSNL is still 100% Govt. of India held corporation, formerly a part of DOT. In short, the company is run by a Board of Director rather than the ministry. Often corporatization transcends what is called privatization. BSNL is one of the largest employers in India and it is understandable that there is such hue and cry on the 10 percent equity dilution sought by the Govt. of India. The truth is, the disinvestment itself doesn't make BSNL a private entity.<br/><br/>There are lots of big and small PSUs where the Govt. has already offloaded 5-10% of its stake. ONGC, NTPC, IOC, GAIL, SAIL ... the list is endless. These aren't private companies and they are doing very well. Maybe public ownership actually lends to better managerial performance. I doubt, the government is in a hurry to sell-off these profit making companies.<br/><br/>It is when the company performs badly, the government will sell it off. Isn't that good for the country?<br/><br/>Tell me if I am wrong here. This wasn't an essay on Privatisation in India and no way directed to the commentator before this one. I just want my understanding to be clear on the topic. You learn/unlearn from others. Sorry for coming up with something completely off-topic.

I keep hearing people talk about BSNL being a semi-private company which is nothing but a blurred notion of disinvestment/ privatization in neo-liberal India. Even many employees of the company think likewise. I wasn’t sure as well until some time back.

BSNL is still 100% Govt. of India held corporation, formerly a part of DOT. In short, the company is run by a Board of Director rather than the ministry. Often corporatization transcends what is called privatization. BSNL is one of the largest employers in India and it is understandable that there is such hue and cry on the 10 percent equity dilution sought by the Govt. of India. The truth is, the disinvestment itself doesn’t make BSNL a private entity.

There are lots of big and small PSUs where the Govt. has already offloaded 5-10% of its stake. ONGC, NTPC, IOC, GAIL, SAIL … the list is endless. These aren’t private companies and they are doing very well. Maybe public ownership actually lends to better managerial performance. I doubt, the government is in a hurry to sell-off these profit making companies.

It is when the company performs badly, the government will sell it off. Isn’t that good for the country?

Tell me if I am wrong here. This wasn’t an essay on Privatisation in India and no way directed to the commentator before this one. I just want my understanding to be clear on the topic. You learn/unlearn from others.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.arunachaldiary.com/2008/10/rants-on-bsnl-service-at-ziro-hapoli/#comment-1088 Anonymous Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:14:00 +0000 http://arunachaldiary.com/?p=318#comment-1088 You have correctly highlighted the predicament faced by the BSNL subscribers of Ziro-Hapoli Township. They have been taken for a ride, having no choice but to make do with whatever excuse BSNL offers. BSNL should remember that it is not altogether private business entity aspiring for profit alone. It has a history of PSU behind it before being made semi private enterprise and so, essential public service should be part of one of its concern as before. Imagine what would happen to public transportation if APST does the same and not plying in unprofitable route in Arunachal Pradesh. You have correctly highlighted the predicament faced by the BSNL subscribers of Ziro-Hapoli Township. They have been taken for a ride, having no choice but to make do with whatever excuse BSNL offers. BSNL should remember that it is not altogether private business entity aspiring for profit alone. It has a history of PSU behind it before being made semi private enterprise and so, essential public service should be part of one of its concern as before. Imagine what would happen to public transportation if APST does the same and not plying in unprofitable route in Arunachal Pradesh.

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