Tripura Assembly annoyed over BSNL's poor service

Agartala, Jun 10 (UNI) The Tripura Assembly has criticised Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) for poor services and customer care in the state and expressed concern over the failure of BSNL authorities to provide broadband facilities to the National Institute of Technology (NIT) for the past one year.

Replying to the calling attention notice of ruling party member Pabitra Kar, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said despite repeated requests to the higher authorities, the situation had not yet been improved.

''The BSNL authorities have failed to provide better services but the state government is pursuing the matter seriously with the Union Ministry of Communication,'' Mr Sarkar said.

He also lashed out at the BSNL for frequent disruption in services and said trade and commerce, work in government offices and services in educational institutions were suffering because of inefficient network.

He said periodic meetings between BSNL officials and officers of the Information and Technology department were held to review the state of services and the government had been in favour of upgradation of the service.

''We do take cognisance of media reports on the services rendered by the BSNL and asked the authorities to rectify the situation but the problems persist, possibly because these are technical matters,'' Mr Sarkar assured the MLAs.

He informed that following the state government's pressure and persuasion, the BSNL had broadened its services in different parts of the state and efforts were on to provide GSM-powered services as well.

Meanwhile, the NIT, Agartala, authorities alleged that they had paid Rs 24 lakh to BSNL for broadband services, which were required for counselling and admission but even after making advance payment BSNL had failed to provide the connection.

NIT director S Saha told mediapersons today that the students and their wards in the state had to go to Silchar for the counselling sessions following the BSNL's failure.

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