Bhubaneswar: Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has reportedly urged the Odisha government to clear pending dues of around Rs 28.54 crore payable to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Union Minister underlined 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 servic
es 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.