CPI(M) demands withdrawal of higher 3G licence fee for BSNL

The CPI(M) today dubbed as "discriminatory" the government's order asking state-owned BSNL to pay higher licence fee for 3G spectrum than private operators and demanded its withdrawal.

"While the private operators have been asked to pay the licence fee on their income, the BSNL has been asked to pay on its revenue. This will put additional burden on the premier public sector undertaking amounting several thousand crores of rupees," the party Politburo said in a statement.

The major Left party demanded withdrawal of the "unjust order" by the Department of Telecommunications and wanted that the BSNL be allowed to pay licence fee at par with private sector operators.
    
"This development once again underlines the pro-private sector stance of the UPA government in general, and Telecommunication Minister A Raja, in particular, which should be resolutely opposed by all those who want to defend the public sector," the CPI(M) said.