Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
BSNL awaits Government's nod on IPO
New Delhi, June 23: State-owned telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) said on Tuesday it is waiting for the government's approval for its initial public offer.
"We will have to await the decision of the government.... We will start negotiating with (employee) unions once we get the government's approval," BSNL chairman and managing director Kuldeep Goel told reporters here on the sidelines of a conference.
BSNL had proposed to dilute 10 per cent of the government’s equity holding through an IPO to raise about 10 billion dollars. However, the offering was put off amid opposition from the employees union.
The IPO proposal was submitted a year ago. "We have not submitted any fresh proposal...our proposal is with the government. If the government decides we have to go for the IPO. Then we will talk to the unions and evaluate the company."
On the company's mega GSM tender, Goyal said Ericsson had technically qualified for supplying equipment in the northern and eastern parts of the country, while China's Huawei had qualified for the southern region.
BSNL will negotiate pricing with the two companies, he said.
The company is yet to decide on a bidder for the western region.
"We will have to await the decision of the government.... We will start negotiating with (employee) unions once we get the government's approval," BSNL chairman and managing director Kuldeep Goel told reporters here on the sidelines of a conference.
BSNL had proposed to dilute 10 per cent of the government’s equity holding through an IPO to raise about 10 billion dollars. However, the offering was put off amid opposition from the employees union.
The IPO proposal was submitted a year ago. "We have not submitted any fresh proposal...our proposal is with the government. If the government decides we have to go for the IPO. Then we will talk to the unions and evaluate the company."
On the company's mega GSM tender, Goyal said Ericsson had technically qualified for supplying equipment in the northern and eastern parts of the country, while China's Huawei had qualified for the southern region.
BSNL will negotiate pricing with the two companies, he said.
The company is yet to decide on a bidder for the western region.
BSNL earmarks Rs 30,000cr war-chest for foreign buys
New Delhi, June 23: Eager to expand its footprint overseas, state-owned BSNL on Tuesday said it has a war-chest of about six billion dollars (approximately Rs 30,000 crore) and is looking for acquisitions, especially in South Africa.
"We are looking at various options, whether it is new licences being issued or partnering with existing players in the overseas markets," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goel told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.
"We have cash balance of over Rs 30,000 crore with us and BSNL has already got a go-ahead from the government to apply for overseas licenses," he added.
South Africa is one of the potential markets for acquisitions.
The PSU is looking at Africa as an area of focus as it is an emerging region and also culturally, financially, African countries suit more to India firms.
The state-run firm offers telecom services throughout the country except in Delhi and Mumbai where MTNL operates.
The PSU has already short-listed eight consultants, including Ernst & Young, McKinsey, KPMG and PriceWaterHouseCoopers, for its plans of mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and overseas forays.
According to sources, BSNL has also empaneled British Tele Consults, Value Partners, PRPM Consults and Diamond Management and Technology Consultants for its global forays.
"We are looking at various options, whether it is new licences being issued or partnering with existing players in the overseas markets," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goel told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.
"We have cash balance of over Rs 30,000 crore with us and BSNL has already got a go-ahead from the government to apply for overseas licenses," he added.
South Africa is one of the potential markets for acquisitions.
The PSU is looking at Africa as an area of focus as it is an emerging region and also culturally, financially, African countries suit more to India firms.
The state-run firm offers telecom services throughout the country except in Delhi and Mumbai where MTNL operates.
The PSU has already short-listed eight consultants, including Ernst & Young, McKinsey, KPMG and PriceWaterHouseCoopers, for its plans of mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and overseas forays.
According to sources, BSNL has also empaneled British Tele Consults, Value Partners, PRPM Consults and Diamond Management and Technology Consultants for its global forays.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Travel entitlement for the purpose of Leave Travel Concession
No.31011/4/2008-Estt.(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
**** ~
New Delhi, the 3'" June, 2009.
New Delhi, the 3'" June, 2009.
Subject:-Travel entitlement for the purpose of Leave Travel Concession.
he undersigned is directed to refer to O.M. of even No. dated 23rd September, 2008 which says that the travel entitlements while on LTC and official tour/transfer will be the same but no daily allowance shall be admissible for travel on LTC. Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance, vide their O.M. No. 7(1)/E.Coord.l2008 dated 10th November, 2008, had stipulated that in the case of travel on LTC for those entitled to travel by air, only the cheapest economy fare ticket will be allowed, irrespective of their entitlements on tour. A number of references are being received in this Department to restore the travel entitlements as per the O.M. dated 23rd September, 2008.
2. The matter has been examined in this Department in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and it has now been decided to restore the travel entitlements for LTC as stipulated vide O.M. dated 23rd September, 2008. The Ministry of Civil Aviation may bring out a
scheme on the lines of LTC 80 for travel by business class. The officers and/or their families may chose to travel on LTC by any airline provided the fare does not exceed the fares offered by NACIL (Air India) under their new LTC scheme for business class.
~
(SimmrR. Nakra)
Director
Director
.J
Dated the ~ June, 2009.
(1) Office of the Comptroller &Auditor General of India.
(2) Office of the Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance.
(3) Secretaries to Union Public Service Commission/Supreme Court of
India/Election CommissionILok Sabha Sectt./Rajya Sabha
Sectt./Cabinet Sectt./Central Vigilance CommissionlPresident's
Sectt./ Vice-President's Sectt./ Prime Minister's Office/ Planning
Commission.
(4) All State Governments and Union Territories.
(5) Secretary, National Council of JCM (Staff Side), 13-C, Feroz Shah
Road, New Delhi.
(6) All Members of Staff Side of the National Council of
JCMlDepartmental Council.
(7) All Officers/Sections of DOPT/Deptt. of Administrative Reforms &
Public Grievances/ Department of Pensions & Pensioners
Wclfarc/PESB.
(8) Official Language Wing (Legislative Deptt.), Bhagwan Dass Road,
New Delhi.
(9) Railway Board, New Delhi.
(10) NIC, DOPT - With the request to upload the O.M. on the website.
(11) 50 spare copies.
Dated the ~ June, 2009.
(1) Office of the Comptroller &Auditor General of India.
(2) Office of the Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance.
(3) Secretaries to Union Public Service Commission/Supreme Court of
India/Election CommissionILok Sabha Sectt./Rajya Sabha
Sectt./Cabinet Sectt./Central Vigilance CommissionlPresident's
Sectt./ Vice-President's Sectt./ Prime Minister's Office/ Planning
Commission.
(4) All State Governments and Union Territories.
(5) Secretary, National Council of JCM (Staff Side), 13-C, Feroz Shah
Road, New Delhi.
(6) All Members of Staff Side of the National Council of
JCMlDepartmental Council.
(7) All Officers/Sections of DOPT/Deptt. of Administrative Reforms &
Public Grievances/ Department of Pensions & Pensioners
Wclfarc/PESB.
(8) Official Language Wing (Legislative Deptt.), Bhagwan Dass Road,
New Delhi.
(9) Railway Board, New Delhi.
(10) NIC, DOPT - With the request to upload the O.M. on the website.
(11) 50 spare copies.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Encashment of Leave for LTC - Condition on nature of leave relaxed
As per Rule 38-A of CCS Leave Rules, 1972, CG employees are permitted to encash earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing Leave Travel Concession subject to the condition that earned leave of at least an equivalent duration should be availed of by the employee simultaneously.
While facility of LTC is also admissible while availing Casual Leave, employees who are proceeding on LTC after availing leave other than earned leave could not encash their leave availed for LTC as the this procedure allows encashment only for earned leave when LTC is availed.
Now it has been decided by Government to allow encashment of earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing LTC without any linkage to the number of days and the nature of leave availed while proceeding on LTC.
In fine, issue of this order would definitely be a happy news for those who avails LTC without proceeding on EL, so that they can save EL to encash the same at the time of retirement.
While facility of LTC is also admissible while availing Casual Leave, employees who are proceeding on LTC after availing leave other than earned leave could not encash their leave availed for LTC as the this procedure allows encashment only for earned leave when LTC is availed.
Now it has been decided by Government to allow encashment of earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing LTC without any linkage to the number of days and the nature of leave availed while proceeding on LTC.
In fine, issue of this order would definitely be a happy news for those who avails LTC without proceeding on EL, so that they can save EL to encash the same at the time of retirement.
No. 14028/4/2009-Estt. (L)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
****
New Delhi, the ~3rd June,2009.
Subject:-Encashment of earned leave alongwith Leave Travel
Concession while in service.
****
The undersigned is directed to refer to Rule 38-Aof CCS(leave) Rules, 1972 regarding encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC while in service which says that Government servants are permitted to encash earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing Leave Travel
Concession subject to the condition that earned leave of at least an equivalent duration is also availed of by the Government servant simultaneously. This Department has been receiving a number of references from various Ministries/Departments to waive this condition citing practical problems faced by them as the facility of LTC is also admissible while availing Casual Leave.
2. The matter has been examined in this Department in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and it has now been decided to permit Government servants encashment of earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing LTC without any linkage to the number of days and the nature of leave availed while proceeding on LTC.
3. These orders shall take effect from the date of issue.
4. Formal amendment to the provisions of CCS(Leave) Rules, 1972 are being issued separately.
5. Hindi version will follow.
~
Dated the.3 June, 2009.
(1) Office of the Comptroller &Auditor General of India.
(2) Office of the Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance.
(3) Secretaries to Union Public Service Commission/Supreme Court of India/Election Commission/Lok Sabha Sectt.lRajya Sabha Sectt.lCabinet Sectt.lCentral Vigilance Commission/President's Sectt.l Vice-President's Sectt.l Prime Minister's Office/ Planning
Commission.
(4) All State Governments and Union Territories.
(5) Secretary, National Council of JCM (Staff Side), 13-C, Feroz Shah Road, New Delhi.
(6) All Members of Staff Side of the National Council of JCM/Departmental Council.
(7) All Officers/Sections of DOPT/Deptt. of Administrative Reforms
http://persmin.gov.in/WriteData/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/14028_4_2009-Estt.(L)0001.pdf
Friday, June 5, 2009
MTNL unveils pre-paid 3G service for Rs 300
New Delhi: State-run MTNL today brought 3G services to the masses by introducing a prepaid option for this high-end service at just Rs 300.
Announcing the launch of the pre-paid 3G service, company CMD R S P Sinha said, "MTNL is launching 3G Jadoo Prepaid Services so that customer should be able to avail the latest 3G/3.5G services at an affordable price".
Since pre-paid is the preferred by customers, the 3G service will be available for only Rs 300 with lifetime validity, whereby a customer can make local video calls at Rs 1.8/minute and data download at Rs 3/MB.
In addition, a subscriber can also choose any of the data coupons to avail free data downloads coupled with free video calling to suit ones individual requirement, Sinha said.
Sinha expects the launch of pre-paid 3G services to increase it customer base.
He said the PSU has around 400 subscribers for its recently-launched 3G service and expects 2,00,000 to 3,00,000 users for in the first year of operations.
The company introduced 3G services in Delhi in December and in Mumbai last month.
The state-run telecom operator expects to add new capacity to accommodate 8,00,000 users, he said
Announcing the launch of the pre-paid 3G service, company CMD R S P Sinha said, "MTNL is launching 3G Jadoo Prepaid Services so that customer should be able to avail the latest 3G/3.5G services at an affordable price".
Since pre-paid is the preferred by customers, the 3G service will be available for only Rs 300 with lifetime validity, whereby a customer can make local video calls at Rs 1.8/minute and data download at Rs 3/MB.
In addition, a subscriber can also choose any of the data coupons to avail free data downloads coupled with free video calling to suit ones individual requirement, Sinha said.
Sinha expects the launch of pre-paid 3G services to increase it customer base.
He said the PSU has around 400 subscribers for its recently-launched 3G service and expects 2,00,000 to 3,00,000 users for in the first year of operations.
The company introduced 3G services in Delhi in December and in Mumbai last month.
The state-run telecom operator expects to add new capacity to accommodate 8,00,000 users, he said
BSNL mulls single-vendor contract system
New Delhi: In a radical move that could transform public sector tendering, state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) plans to scrap multiple tendering, and follow the private sector practice of long-term tendering with a selected bidder.
The new thinking at BSNL is an attempt to avert a repeat of the tendering delays that held up its many projects.
Under the new scheme, each time the company wants to expand its GSM mobile capacity it wouldn’t have to float a fresh tender as it does now. Instead, the selected lowest bidder would be awarded all subsequent projects for several years. Incremental payments would be made on the basis of per line capacity expansion, which would be negotiated according to the prevalent market price.
The long-term tendering scheme, the modalities of which are being worked out, would be similar to what Bharti Airtel has done with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens. Bharti has outsourced its mobile network erection and operations to the two equipment vendors and each year negotiates the price with them. Most other private operators also follow the same system for awarding equipment contracts.
BSNL’s new tendering system, however, needs to be first approved by its board, and later by the government.
BSNL officials said that a change in the tendering scheme has become inevitable, as the present system of frequent tendering causes delays in awarding the contract, as vendors often dispute the selection process and move courts, which costs the company in terms of marketshare. For instance, the 45.5-million GSM line expansion tender floated in mid-2006 was awarded only a year later, by when the company lost its second position in the GSM segment to Vodafone-Essar, which it has not been able to wrest since. The delay also led to the order being finally halved to around 25 million lines.
“We cannot compete with private operators in a tough competitive market if we stick to floating a tender each time we want to add capacity to our network. We have to move to a long-term pact with equipment vendors so that capacity expansion can be planned and implemented in a timely manner,” a BSNL official told FE.
The process of floating separate tenders for subsequent expansion had created trouble for the company last year, when it floated a 93-million lines GSM tender. In that, Ericsson emerged L1 for the north and east zones while Chinese vendor Huawei was short-listed for the southern and western zone. Nokia Siemens was disqualified due to technical shortcomings.
Unhappy over it, Nokia Siemens moved the Competition Commission of India, Central Vigilance Commission and the Delhi High Court. Though CCI and the Delhi High Court have dismissed the plea, the matter is yet to be sorted out as some other state high courts are hearing the matter.
In an earlier tender too, a disqualified vendor, Motorola, had moved the Delhi High Court where several months later it withdrew the case, but by then the damage had been done.
BSNL has a subscriber base of over 47.7 million and a marketshare of 16%. It is growing at 3.5% on a monthly basis while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Essar are growing at more than 4%.
The new thinking at BSNL is an attempt to avert a repeat of the tendering delays that held up its many projects.
Under the new scheme, each time the company wants to expand its GSM mobile capacity it wouldn’t have to float a fresh tender as it does now. Instead, the selected lowest bidder would be awarded all subsequent projects for several years. Incremental payments would be made on the basis of per line capacity expansion, which would be negotiated according to the prevalent market price.
The long-term tendering scheme, the modalities of which are being worked out, would be similar to what Bharti Airtel has done with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens. Bharti has outsourced its mobile network erection and operations to the two equipment vendors and each year negotiates the price with them. Most other private operators also follow the same system for awarding equipment contracts.
BSNL’s new tendering system, however, needs to be first approved by its board, and later by the government.
BSNL officials said that a change in the tendering scheme has become inevitable, as the present system of frequent tendering causes delays in awarding the contract, as vendors often dispute the selection process and move courts, which costs the company in terms of marketshare. For instance, the 45.5-million GSM line expansion tender floated in mid-2006 was awarded only a year later, by when the company lost its second position in the GSM segment to Vodafone-Essar, which it has not been able to wrest since. The delay also led to the order being finally halved to around 25 million lines.
“We cannot compete with private operators in a tough competitive market if we stick to floating a tender each time we want to add capacity to our network. We have to move to a long-term pact with equipment vendors so that capacity expansion can be planned and implemented in a timely manner,” a BSNL official told FE.
The process of floating separate tenders for subsequent expansion had created trouble for the company last year, when it floated a 93-million lines GSM tender. In that, Ericsson emerged L1 for the north and east zones while Chinese vendor Huawei was short-listed for the southern and western zone. Nokia Siemens was disqualified due to technical shortcomings.
Unhappy over it, Nokia Siemens moved the Competition Commission of India, Central Vigilance Commission and the Delhi High Court. Though CCI and the Delhi High Court have dismissed the plea, the matter is yet to be sorted out as some other state high courts are hearing the matter.
In an earlier tender too, a disqualified vendor, Motorola, had moved the Delhi High Court where several months later it withdrew the case, but by then the damage had been done.
BSNL has a subscriber base of over 47.7 million and a marketshare of 16%. It is growing at 3.5% on a monthly basis while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Essar are growing at more than 4%.
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