Scindia urges Odisha CM to clear BSNL’s ₹28.54 crore dues

Bhubaneswar, Feb 5: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has urged the Odisha government to expedite the settlement of ₹28.54 crore in outstanding dues payable to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), stressing that the state’s support is crucial for the PSU to continue delivering essential communication services.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Scindia said that as of December 31, 2025, various departments and organisations under the Odisha government owed ₹28.54 crore to BSNL. He emphasised that timely clearance of the dues is vital to sustain BSNL’s operations and maintain service quality, given its critical role in providing secure and reliable telecommunications.

Highlighting BSNL’s importance, the Union Minister noted that the company plays a key role in delivering telecom services across the country, particularly in rural and remote areas. BSNL also supports several government departments, including the Armed Forces, and provides connectivity to banks and other institutions, making it a trusted backbone for citizen-centric services.

Referring to the financial stress faced by the PSU, Scindia pointed out that the Government of India has approved revival packages for BSNL in 2019, 2022 and 2023 to enhance its viability and competitiveness. However, he underlined that steady cash flows remain essential for meeting routine operational expenses and for the modernisation of telecom infrastructure.

“I would, therefore, request you to kindly issue necessary instructions to the concerned departments and organisations to expedite the settlement of all outstanding dues to BSNL at the earliest,” the Minister said in his letter.