14 , May , 2020
NEW DELHI: Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) has been in news post lockdown about their existing losses and the struggles faced by them due to ever upgrading technological advancements.
It is said that poor network and weak home Wi-Fi related to MTNL routers are a result of scores of housing societies snapping power to the service provider's Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) on their terraces for non-payment of rent. Many of them are also urging MTNL to shift their infrastructure. Around 350 housing societies including Saki Vihar in Andheri, Rabodi, Kalva and Naupada in Thane have been affected severely.
According to the sources, before lockdown there was a provision made centre in 2020-2021 budget to aid the MTNL and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), to help the authorities regain their financial stabilities but due to Covid-19 pandemic the funds could not be disbursed making the situations worse for the organisations.
It was earlier said by the MTNL chairman and MD, Sunil Kumar that the firm will resolve debt issues through asset monetisation. Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant, who also leads the MTNL trade union, said he is aware of the problem but many of the MTNL employees who had opted for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) haven't been paid as well. The non-payment of rents can be looked into only after lockdown guidelines are relaxed, he said.
Meanwhile, citizens with MTNL connections continue to suffer weak signals due to the unresolved issue of non-payment of rent to housing societies where the DTS towers are located. Brahmand housing society in Thane recently snapped power to an MTNL tower for dues pending since over a year.
