A poser by CPI-M member Sitaram Yechury on whether Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited are deliberately not setting up towers to favour private companies left Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran seething with anger.
"It is wrong. This will demoralise employees of BSNL and MTNL. They are doing a good job," an agitated Maran said replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.
Yechury said he had been told by MTNL and BSNL unions that the two state-owned companies are deliberately not setting up additional towers. Reacting to Maran's remarks, he said "I take strong objection to this."
The member said Left parties were involved in running of BSNL and MTNL unions and his query would not demoralise workers.
"I am not yielding," Maran said and asked Yechury to bring any specific case to his notice.
Yechury's colleagues joined in seeking details about charges. "What is this answer," remarked an agitated CPI-I (M) member Brinda Karat on Maran's reply on the issue.
Maran attributed the dropping of calls and occasional lack of clarity to huge demand for BSNL phones.
He said the state-owned company planned to add 63.5 million lines in the next few years which would be more than the combined expansion plans of the private companies.
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