DoT not to intervene in BSNL contract process over Huawei

Amid controversy over possibility of Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei getting contract from BSNL despite security issues, the government today said they would not interfere in the tendering process but concern from security agencies, if any, would be conveyed to the PSU.

"We do not intervene in the commercial contracts of PSUs. BSNL is an independent company. But we will pass on concern of the security agencies to BSNL and it is for them to take a call," Telecom Secretary Sidhharth Behura told PTI. 

When contacted, the Huawei India spokesperson said the company has a proven track record of providing secured products and solutions to customers in India. "We adhere to specific procurement and product specific standards of each and every customer. Regarding the specific contract, we not aware of any official discussion, so we cannot comment on specific development.

The company said, "We are a company that is 100 per cent owned by its employees. No government agencies, company, or any other party holds shares or exercise any control over our company.

The home and defence ministries are learnt to have raised objections to the BSNL decision to award telecom equipment contracts to Chinese majors Huawei and ZTE, which according to them is not in the interest of national security.