Telecom, It Ministries To Be Merged

Within a month of taking dual charge of the ministries of communication and IT, Pramod Mahajan today said that the two ministries would be merged to form a single super ministry. He said that the approval of the Prime Minister is being sought and the merger of the two ministries will be completed within a month.

The move is expected to make it easier for the government to manage convergence issues effectively. The Communication/ Convergence Bill was tabled in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.

The combined ministry will have the departments of telecom, post and the converted department of information technology under it. Each of these departments would be headed by a secretary.

 

Addressing the inaugural session of the Global Telecom Summit 2001 organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mahajan said, "I have taken a decision to merge IT and telecom ministries and create a single ministry for communications and IT just like it is in other parts of the world. We have already requested the Prime Minister to merge the two ministries."

Mahajan also said the separate advisory committees for telecom and IT would be replaced by one National Advisory Committee "So, once it is done, we will have one consultative committee and then we will have a national advisory committee. There are two national advisory committees today, one each for IT and for telecom," said Mahajan adding that the move was aimed at beginning convergence from his ministry.

Elaborating on the structure of the super ministry Shyamal Ghosh later said that the present structure of the three departments will not be disturbed. "The merger is at the ministerial level. The departmental structure will remain the same. Sanchar Bhawan, Electronics Niketan and the Dak Bhawan remain where they are." Ghosh also said that departmental posts and committees like the Telecom Commission will also remain intact.

On the occasion Mahajan also elaborated on the agenda as the new communications minister. He said that telecom sector should be viewed as basic fuel for engine of growth and not a revenue earning machine.

"I want to change the mindset that you go on changing anything because you are a monopoly. National wealth is combined wealth of public and private sector," he said but cautioned that if players wanted equal treatment in rights then they should be willing to take equal treatment in duties also.

The minister said he would like to be technology neutral but would not allow stopping any technology including Internet telephony on flimsy grounds .

"In case of Internet telephony, if the technology allows it, then who are we to stop it. We have decided that Internet telephony cannot be stopped and have moved TRAI to say that intention of the government is to allow Internet telephony. The issues such as timing and tariffs would need to be looked at," Mahajan said.

The minister also said that priority would be given to village telephony and ensuring justice for BSNL which operated within all its social obligations.

On Convergence Bill Mahajan said that suggestions for changes in the Bill will still be taken into consideration." We are ready to change." he said. Hinting at the numerous disputes within the telecom sector Mahajan said that he wanted to make telecom sector free from all litigation and provide justice and solutions that may be acceptable to most.