BSNL willing to lower carriage charges

NEW DELHI: Bowing under pressure and concerned about the losing the most

lucrative tariff segment, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today conveyed its

keenness to lower the tariff charges between Delhi and Mumbai.

Even though the BSNL authorities denied revealing the rates, A.K. Sinha,

chairman and managing director, BSNL today indicated that the tariffs would be

reduced.

“The talks are on with the officials of Mahanagar telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).

It is likely that the price points could be negotiated,” Sinha said while

taking to reporters after attending a WiMax seminar in New Delhi this afternoon.

BSNL has been levying 65 paisa per minute as long distance carriage rates,

which the MTNL states is much higher than the charges levied by private players.

MTNL is mooting 40 paisa as carriage charge, but BSNL is yet to decide on the

rates.

“The Delhi- Mumbai traffic is quite different in comparison to the other

parts of the country. The tariff rates can be variable,” Sinha added.

Clarifying both the PSUs present crisis over the carriage charges, Sinha said

that there is no dispute between them. “We are in discussion and it will

settle in sometime. There is no dispute among us,” he said.

However, Sinha refused to speak on the outstanding dues, which MTNL owes to

BSNL. But BSNL sources said that MTNL will have to clear the outstanding dues.

BSNL had claimed that from April 2005 till March 2006, MTNL has failed to settle

carriage bills on a monthly basis and the amount has escalated to about Rs

700-800 crore.

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