This refers to the article, “Bleeding, but not being treated” (March 13) by RB Sinha. The views expressed by the writer regarding the state of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam limited and Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited, following the onslaught by private telecom players, are indeed true. But the chief remedy suggested by the writer, which is the merger of the two bodies, is unwise. One reason is the large manpower with differential pay structure.
When the staffers in Government departments are interested only in their salary and perks, and not for the progress of the department they serve, the proposed merger can hardly fetch any favourable outcome. On the contrary, it will increase the loss of the Government and in turn leave a heavy burden on the public in the form of a hike in tariff or imposition of additional tax. Already, the people are upset over the exorbitant tax that haunts them under different heads in every sector. Privatisation will be a better choice.