BSNL, MTNL yet to recover Rs 6,444 crore dues

NEW DELHI: Ailing state-run telecom companies, Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL), are yet to recover Rs 6,444 crore as dues from subscribers for non-payment of bills. For BSNL, which operates all over the country, barring Delhi and Mumbai, the amount is Rs 5,341 crore, while MTNL which offers services in Delhi and Mumbai, has to recover Rs 1,103 crore from the subscribers as on March 31, 2011, according to official sources.

"The amount realised by BSNL and MTNL from its customers during the year 2010-11 against the outstanding bills of previous years and bills issued during the year are Rs 12,587 crore and Rs 863 crore, respectively," minister of state for telecom and IT Milind Deora said recently. BSNL's losses for 2010-11 stood at Rs 6,000 crore, while MTNL incurred losses of about Rs 2,800 crore.