Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) have narrowed their losses and reduced liabilities in 2020-21.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan said that the loss of BSNL narrowed to Rs 74.41 billion in 2020-21 from Rs 155 billion in 2019-20. Meanwhile, MTNL also reported a total loss of Rs 25.54 billion for the last fiscal year, compared to Rs 38.11 billion in 2019-20. Further, BSNL and MTNL have turned earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) positive during 2020-21.
Further, the minister added that the government approved a revival plan for BSNL and MTNL on October 23, 2019, which is under implementation. A total of 92,956 employees (78,569 for BSNL, 14,387 for MTNL) opted for VRS, which reduced salary expenditure by about 50 per cent in BSNL and by about 75 per cent in MTNL.
Meanwhile, the total liabilities of BSNL have come down to Rs 811.56 billion in 2020-21, from Rs 876.18 billion in 2019-20. The total liabilities of MTNL has reduced to Rs 293.91 billion from Rs 302.42 billion between the reported fiscal years, the data added. According to the data shared, BSNL has 1,53,628 base transceiver stations (BTS) and MTNL has 4,242 BTS. Further, BSNL and MTNL’s combined subscriber base share declined to 10.31 per cent in 2020-21, compared with 10.64 per cent as on March 31, 2020.
