Bhubaneswar: Days after receiving a letter from the Centre regarding pending dues of around Rs 28.54 crore to BSNL, the Odisha government has initiated steps to clear the huge outstanding amount.
Official sources said that the state government has directed all departments to immediately clear pending payments to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) after concerns were raised by the Union Communications Minister.
Additional Chief Secretary (Electronics & IT), Vishal Kumar Dev has written to all government departments seeking early action to ensure payment of the pending dues to BSNL.
“I would request all the department to expedite the process of settlement of the outstanding dues of BSNL after reconciling the figures with the concerned officials of BSNL. Non-clearance of dues is causing operational constraints and may adversely affect telecom services being provided to government offices,” the letter said.
Notably, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia had recently written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, underlining the significance of timely payments to ensure reliable telecom services.
Scindia pointed out that several departments and organisations under the Odisha government have not settled their outstanding bills with BSNL. Stressing that BSNL plays a crucial role in delivering telecom services across rural and remote areas, he said it also supports key government departments, including the Armed Forces, and providing connectivity to banks and institutions.
Noting that BSNL continues to face financial stress despite revival packages approved by the Centre in 2019, 2022, and 2023, Scindia explained that steady cash flow remains essential for day-to-day operations and for modernising telecom infrastructure.
According to the letter, the Department of Telecommunications has already requested early clearance of the dues. Scindia reiterated that timely payment by the state government is vital to maintain service quality and secure telecom networks.
The Union Minister requested the Chief Minister to instruct all concerned departments and organisations to expedite the settlement of dues. He said Odisha’s support would help stabilise BSNL financially and enable it to continue providing essential communication services for regional and national development.
