Raja hints BSNL for systematic manpower planning

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) In a bid to make Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) emerge as the market leader, Telecom Minister A Raja today urged the state-owned telecom company to focus on systematic manpower planning.

''The aim of BSNL is to sustain as market leader is highly at risk with a large work force in 40 years plus age bracket,'' the Minister said while inaugurating the Bharat Sanchar Bhawan here today.

The current system of human resource management does not permit any preferential treatment or compensation to performers and non-performers. Appropriate motivational steps, linked with accountability at all levels are now the need of the hour, Mr Raja said.

''BSNLs vision should be to become the largest telecom service provider in South East Asia and to provide world class state-of-art telecom service and telecom infrastructure on demand at affordable prices to the country,'' he added.

BSNL has been able to retain its landline base and has marginally increased from 32.40 million to 32.93 million, 28.42 million mobile connections and 10.20 lakh Broadband connections.

During the financial year 2006-07, the mobile network has increased by over 95 lakh telephone connections and 3.90 lakh Broadband connections at a financial turnover of Rs 39,715 crore with profit of Rs 7,805 crore.

BSNL's new building has been constructed on a plot area of 2.27 acres and has a plinth area of 16314 sq meters.

UNI