BSNL Employees Union came out strongly against government’s decision yesterday to divest some stake of PSUs including BSNL.

“BSNL Employees Union expresses its strong protest against disinvestment of BSNL. It has been assured by the government earlier that BSNL will not be disinvested and in case of any such proposal it will be discussed with the unions. The unilateral decision of the government is in violation of the agreement,” said the union today.

The Union also came down heavily on the company for halving the earlier tender of 45.5 million GSM lines causing loss in market share to the company. It cautioned the company against going for re-tendering in the currently floated mega-GSM tender. The union said that such a decision will further delay the procurement by two years leading to an ‘utter’ disaster.

The Union also took the opportunity to point out that the PSU had failed to convert the head-start advantage gained in offering 3G services and only 80,000 connections were claimed under the 3G fold. A shortage of modems is also encountered for broadband services, alleges the union.

“The management and the government should focus on strengthening of the government telecom company, the existence of which have defeated cartelization and increasing of telecom tariffs. Listing will not solve any problem, except garnering funds for government. The privatization of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL) and the more than 45% disinvestment of MTNL clearly indicate that this proposed listing is only but the first step towards privatization” contended the Union.