New Delhi sources have stated that telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said there are no plans at present to merge BSNL and MTNLBSE -2.68 %, but asserted that the strategic plan outlined for promoting synergy among state-owned telecom firms will strengthen and benefit both the organizations. Sinha said "There is no thinking in government on merging the two.
But we are taking steps to ensure that collaboration between MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd) and BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd) strengthens and benefits both the organizations". Meanwhile he was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to unveil the strategic plan for telecom and organization under Department of Telecom.
Furthermore when asked whether the telecom
ministry will intervene in the ongoing face-off between established private
operators under COAI and telecom regulator Trai over the latter's policies and
regulations, the Minister pointed out that the regulator is
"independent". He added Trai is an independent regulator and whatever
the ministry has to do, it will do so with fairness and without bias.
