Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Increase In Telephone Tariff By Bsnl And Mtnl. on 5 May, 2003
अध्यक्ष महोदय: यदि आप लोग सहयोग करेंगे तभी मैं सभी माननीय सदस्यों को बोलने का चांस दे पाऊंगा। मैं एक-एक करके सभी विषयों को ले सकता हूं। जब तक आपका विषय नहीं आता, तब तक मैं दूसरा कोई विषय नहीं लूंगा। कृपया आप सहयोग करें।
…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Now we may go to the ‘Zero Hour’. Shri P. Mohan.
Title: Regarding increase in telephone tariff by BSNL and MTNL.
*SHRI P. MOHAN (MADURAI): Sir, recently both BSNL and MTNL have announced an enormous tariff hike hitting hard the consumers. These public sector telecom companies have revised their tariff rates which will give rise to huge escalation in telephone bills. Private operators have also revised upwardly the user charges. Four different tariff packages have been announced for landline connections sounding like incentive schemes. But this will only lead to a situation where the rich alone can afford the essential communication facility. The number of free calls has been reduced. This will only benefit and facilitate the private operators in the long run. These schemes are like getting an elephant free when you buy a balloon at an enormous cost. In the name of charges for landline and mobile phone connectivity, the consumers are sought to be fleeced. What was Rs 1.20 for 3 minutes will henceforth be the fare for a mere 30 seconds when it is from one mode to the other.
Long distance call facility given to the PCOs operated by the blind and the unemployed youth must continue to get the ‘91’ and ‘95’ dialing facility given to the private subscribers.
So I urge upon the Government to restore the telecom tariff structure that was their till 30th of April.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Translation of speech originally delivered in Tamil.
… (Interruptions)MR. SPEAKER: Shri V.S. Sivakumar, your name will be associated with Shri P. Mohan.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Krishnaswamy, Shri Adhi Sankar and Shri Jayaseelan may also associate with what Shri P.Mohan has said.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Dr. Saroja and Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai may also associate with Shri P. Mohan.
… (Interruptions)