Privatisation of the core telecom sector got off to a poor start with only 16 joint venture companies bidding for basic services in 21 telecom circles for which tenders were opened today. In contrast, the cellular service tender which opened on June 7 had attracted as many as 32 bids. However, the Telecom Commission Chairman, Mr. R. K. Takkar, described the response of the bidders as “good” and announced that the DoT would evaluate the basic service bids before September 15 this year and cellular service tenders by July 31.

Telecom strike ends

The five-day old telecom strike was called off following an agreement between the Telecom Commission Chairman, Mr. R. K. Takkar, and representatives of the three employees federations. Though there was no meeting ground between the two parties on the issue of private sector entry into telecom, the Secretary-General of the National Federation of Telecom Employees, Mr. O. P. Gupta, said, “we have made the public know about our apprehensions and problems”. He admitted that employees cannot stop privatisation by resorting to strikes.

Kerala to develop 5 minor ports

The Kerala Government has shortlisted five minor ports in the State for development, attracting private capital from both within and outside the country. According to sources in the Directorate of Ports here, the development programme has been chalked out in the context of the Centre's renewed interest in coastal shipping and considering the impending industrialisation of the areas, including establishment of thermal projects in the vicinity of the ports.

Published on June 23, 2015