Special committee would be formed in Mumbai, and government will decide on the properties of BSNL and MTNL

The government will take a major step in the future of government-run telecom companies BSNL and MTNL's assets in Mumbai. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia made the announcement on Tuesday that a special government panel will be formed to sell the assets.

The committee will consist of members from the State Urban Development Department, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the Central Government Department of Telecom. The committee will submit its report within four weeks and the government will take further action on the basis of that report.

An important meeting on the matter was held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai where a host of senior officials including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Union Telecom Secretary Neeraj Kumar and BSNL MD Robert Ravi participated.

The BharatNet project was also discussed in the meeting, which aims to connect every village in the country with a fast internet facility. Scindia said that Maharashtra has performed well in Phase 1 of BharatNet and now the target is to extend the communication network to all the remaining gram panchayats of the state in Phase 2.

He said that one lakh towers of 4G network will be installed across the country, especially in those areas where there is no connectivity till now. This will bring digital revolution even in the most remote areas of Maharashtra.

In the meeting, emphasis was laid on increasing network connectivity in Naxal-affected areas like Gadchiroli. Fadnavis assured that the government will provide full security for installing towers in these areas.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that if a strong communication system is established in these remote areas, it will help in eliminating Naxalism. The government believes that after connecting to the Internet and modern technology, the local youth will have better opportunities and they will be able to join the mainstream.

The government will review the reservations on BSNL and MTNL properties in Mumbai and start the process of removing them as per the rules. The state government intends to develop useful facilities for the citizens on these properties. Fadnavis assured that the Maharashtra government will also try to be at the forefront of the country in the second phase of BharatNet.