Concessions to Senior Citizens by BSNL & MTNL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3442

ANSWERED ON 12.02.2014

CONCESSIONS TO SENIOR CITIZENS

3442 . Shri SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of concessions in rent bills of landline telephones, etc. which are provided to senior citizens by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL);

(b) whether some concessions provided by MTNL to senior citizens are not being provided by BSNL in their service areas;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the justification for this discrimination when both telephone companies are Government undertakings; and

(d) the action taken by the Government to remove the discrimination?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. (SMT.) KILLI KRUPARANI) 

(a) to (d) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) are distinct, independent, commercial entities operating in mutually exclusive geographical areas. These Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have their own commercial policies for providing various concessions to senior citizens.

In BSNL, senior citizens of the age of 65 years and above are entitled for registration of telephone on priority under Non-OYT Special category. They are exempted from payment of registration charges.

In MTNL, senior citizens of the age of 65 years and above are being given concession of 25% towards installation charges and monthly service charges for landlines connections under MTNL’s Plan-250.

The Government does not intend to intervene in the commercial decisions of the two PSUs.