Thrissur: The Union Budget 2021 has failed to make any major announcements for BSNL which is struggling to overcome the financial crisis. It is examined that the centre would not include BSNL in the stake sale.

This fact was hinted in the budget speech which explained the policies of the government. This part described the government’s policies in the strategic and non-strategic sectors.

Telecommunications is included in the strategic sector. Nuclear power, Space, defence, transportation, power, petroleum, coal, banking, insurance and other financial services are other departments identified in the strategic sectors.

Among these, a few will continue to remain in the public sector.The budget did not name these departments.

Examining the policy of the government, BSNL will not be privatised.

Meanwhile, the budget pointed out chances of privatisation, merging with other public sector firms and closure while discussing the public sector firms under the central government.

While declaring renovation package for BSNL, the union finance minister and telecom minister had asserted that the government won’t privatise BSNL. 

During the last budget, the centre had allotted funds for 4G services of BSNL. But till date, BSNL has not got the allotted funds. It is reported that the fund was rejected as the tender for the installation of equipment got cancelled.

At the same time, the union budget 2021 did not announce any package to improve the financial status of BSNL.