The Department of Telecom has instructed State-owned Bharat Sanchar
Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) and Bharat Broadband Network Ltd. (BBNL) to submit
reports every day on the progress made in the Bharat Net project that
seeks to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country through
high-speed broadband by March 2019, forming the backbone of the
government’s ambitious Digital India programme.
“Despite fortnightly/weekly reviews for the last two years at my level, it is observed that there is an unprofessional shirking of responsibility; along with inability to resolve on-field problems and inter organisational issues between BBNL and BSNL,” Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said in a letter dated November 2.
As of October 2018, 1.15 lakh gram panchayats were service-ready. However, extensive field reports have been received regarding non-functioning at 80-90% of the gram panchayats as well as massive under utilisation/non utilisation of Bharat Net infrastructure. “Though clear utilisation targets have already been set, the actual utilisation on ground is understood to be less than 10% of the target,” she said. To ensure this state of affairs did not continue, she instructed that a progress report jointly signed by the CMDs of the two firms be submitted to her office everyday in the evening, beginning November 5.
The report should include State-wise status of all gram panchayats, details of all non-operational gram panchayats, duration and reason of faults as well as corrective action and time taken to repair. Additionally, Ms. Sundararajan has instructed that all non-operational gram panchayats are to be made operational in 48 hours, and disciplinary action would be initiated against officers in case fault rectification is delayed.
In the letter addressed to BSNL CMD Anupam Srivastava and BBNL CMD Sanjay Singh, she warned that “failure to comply with or disregard of these instructions shall invite exemplary disciplinary action.”
“Despite fortnightly/weekly reviews for the last two years at my level, it is observed that there is an unprofessional shirking of responsibility; along with inability to resolve on-field problems and inter organisational issues between BBNL and BSNL,” Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said in a letter dated November 2.
Hampering progress
“This is not only hampering progress of this vital project but is now threatening to derail even earlier achievement of the past four years,” she added.As of October 2018, 1.15 lakh gram panchayats were service-ready. However, extensive field reports have been received regarding non-functioning at 80-90% of the gram panchayats as well as massive under utilisation/non utilisation of Bharat Net infrastructure. “Though clear utilisation targets have already been set, the actual utilisation on ground is understood to be less than 10% of the target,” she said. To ensure this state of affairs did not continue, she instructed that a progress report jointly signed by the CMDs of the two firms be submitted to her office everyday in the evening, beginning November 5.
The report should include State-wise status of all gram panchayats, details of all non-operational gram panchayats, duration and reason of faults as well as corrective action and time taken to repair. Additionally, Ms. Sundararajan has instructed that all non-operational gram panchayats are to be made operational in 48 hours, and disciplinary action would be initiated against officers in case fault rectification is delayed.
In the letter addressed to BSNL CMD Anupam Srivastava and BBNL CMD Sanjay Singh, she warned that “failure to comply with or disregard of these instructions shall invite exemplary disciplinary action.”
