Nov 13, 2003 11:28 AM
2818 Views
(Updated Nov 13, 2003 11:28 AM)
Hai Friends
I wish to take this forum to congratulate this government for the efficiency displayed in its functioning.
Suddenly, the government is making major policy changes in nano-seconds; implementing them - all to help you, me, my bhanja and his saas.
Before you scream, Let me tell you that I am talking about this great ''Unified Telecom License make-over''
We all know how this government superbly created a mess.
My professor used to say this. ''Either you are pregnant or not pregnant. There is no such thing as almost Pregnant''.
The mantri-bapu satsang proved my professor wrong. They created a new english word and a wholehearted chaos called ''Limited Mobility''. This immediately brought visions of a policy in cretches limping and trying to crawl - Yes, that is what is meant by ''Limited Mobility''.
Enter Our e-bay minister - Shri Shouri (which literally means a fellow with lot of noice)
Within two weeks, TRAI makes a recommendation for this change over. Prescribes a policy. Within 48 hours, The Group Of Ministers meet and approve it in a discussion lasting less than 30 minutes. The very next day, the Cabinet meets and approves this policy in less than we all could say ''duniya meri mutti men''. In less than a week, The government notifies the licensing norm. Within two hours of notification, Reliance
pays the license fee. And, God smiles in heaven. The money involved was Rs.3,000 crores from all the basic operators.
And, the railway overbridge near my residence is getting constructed for the past seven years by the Government. The Railway and PWD now say it will easily take another four more.
If only, My Sarkar is clearing all decisions like this swift. To start with, They can start by deciding what should be the standard for water, chocolate and coco-cola!!
We all know this. But, what is perhaps overlooked is the silent death of something called ''ROLL-OUT OBLIGATIONS''. This means that all basic license holders need not pay hefty penalties for not extending lines to rural india. This penalty was already with the government in the form of Bank Guarantee. The roll out obligation penalty was stiff. The Government levied more than 50 crores for each circle for each month of
violation.
This penalty was hanging like Domicles sword over all basic providers - That is Bharti, Tata, Reliance and Others.
And here is the secret. This penalty was to have been enforced from December 2003 for the initial license holders. This means in less than 20 days, the Government would have gained huge penalty for the basic license. This penalty would have helped the government to something they call UFO fund, to finance rural telephony service. This penalty would have come out of the license capital of the basic operators.
For example, TATA Teleservices Maharashtra alone would have paid Rs.516 crores for non-compliance.
Now, our helpful Sarkar has silently waived this off.
And, the justification offered to us is great. They have now levied something called ADC (Access Deficit Charge) on all calls made in India. That is we have to now pay for the penalty of roll-out obligations. You, me, my bhanja and his saas.
We are now subsidising Bharti Mittal, A mbani and Ratan Tata's pocket money of around Rs.3,000 crores, which they have cooly saved. At the last minute. The penalty which was threatened by the Government (Promod Mahajan ji, where are you?) is now paid by you and me.
My chai waala now says that this is pretty normal in an election year. Everyone needs some paise for chai paani. A little sum saved like Rs.3,000 crore is always handy for this.
The moral of the story is - If the Government acts fast, We loose Rs.3,000 crores.
I now tell them. Let the railway overbridge be built in it's own sweet time. I don't mind. Just Don't show your election efficiency! That will be costly for me..
S Bhatia
with permission from
