Pitroda panel on BSNL recast submits report to PM

A high-level committee headed by Sam Pitroda today said it has submitted a detailed report on the restructuring of Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL), which is faced with poor financial health, slowing sales and competition chipping away at its market share.

"We have submitted a report containing 15 suggestions to the PM to help BSNL and it is up to the board of BSNL to debate and discuss those proposals and take further action in consultation with DOT," Pitroda said here on the sideline of a CII function.

Though the former Telecom Commission chairman declined to divulge any detail on those 15 suggestions, sources said the report suggests IPO as one of the crucial options before BSNL to resurrect itself in the face of fierce competition.

Sources also added that the Pitroda panel, which also has Telecom Secretary P J Thomas and HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh as members, has suggested scrapping of the controversial 93 million GSM line tender, which has been put on hold by BSNL following a directive from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) over allegations of corruption.

When contacted, BSNL Chairman Kuldeep Goyal said: "We have not received any report by Pitroda. So cannot comment on its content."