FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Citizen Mathew D’Costa Curchorem
Curchorem BSNL office and its services are in a dilapidated condition. The office had previously about 20-25 staff including the sentry and the fault rectifying staff etc. This was more than 10 years back. Slowly, the permanent staff retired or took Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). The result, at present there are hardly one or two staff, who are permanent and other 3-4 staff are on daily wages.
There is no sentry manning the gate and no proper person at customer-complaints. The daily wages (skeleton) staff is not bothered about the BSNL or conditions of their services.
The BSNL building surrounding premises are clattered with wild plants and creepers. The entire area is like a Jungle in the town. The creepers/plants have climbed the BSNL tower more than 8-10 metres high. Last year, ‘Herald’ had highlighted about the Curchorem BSNL sorry state of affairs.
Hearing this, last year the Curchorem Municipality Chairman had personally sent municipality workers to the BSNL office for a couple of days to do the cleaning of wild plants, creepers and clearing the premises but after a year the situation is like before unattended and neglected. When the customers approach the BSNL office, the staff has the same standard answer that the BSNL has neither funds for staff salaries, nor for maintenance of the tower and premises.
On May 14, due to heavy rains, thunder and lightning, the BSNL landlines, mobile and broadband were non-functional. And they could not rectify the same for more than 20 to 25 days. The complaints were not attended. But the BSNL office at Panjim by the first week of every month forward bills of landline/mobile to the customers e-mails, and thereafter send constant reminders for payment of the same without bothering to see if the landlines/broadband are functioning or not.
The BSNL helpline number 1500 or 198 when contacted has automatic computer generated docket/complaint number or their representative just not initiating quick action.
Some years back, the BSNL started cutting costs by not sending bills in separate envelops, than bills payment was printed on ordinary blank paper. Now all this has disappeared and they have taken to online payment. But cutting costs has not stopped, now they are cutting down staff.
Soon it may be renting the premises to others and what not as they say the BSNL is running into heavy losses. It is not only BSNL Curchorem but the story is same across Goa. Their services are getting worse day by day. Rumours are doing the rounds that the government-owned BSNL like many other government entities and ventures is clandestinely and surreptitiously sold along with the premises-land to some private Kolhapur/Karnataka party and the BSNL will ultimately fade away into oblivion “Disconnecting India”.
This is the reason may be for this total neglect and inefficiency. We customers/students are relying on BSNL for their good connectivity and prompt service. In August, last year, the State government had notified the Goa Telecom Infrastructure Policy 2020, which aims to encourage modern telecommunications infrastructure and ensure good quality internet network across the State.
Apparently, the BSNL equipment is outdated and once there is a technical snag/fault it takes weeks to get their outstation technicians to come and get the telephone lines/broadband functional. Now days, it is private players like Jio, VI and others who are having a field day everywhere with efficient services competent internet facilities whilst the BSNL is slowing getting disconnected from India. Just like it is “Sabka Saath Jio, Sabka Vishwaas Jio”.
It’s time for the BSNL to prove everyone wrong by getting its act together. Improve services and Internet connectivity and strive to be better than private players to retain and increase its customer-base all over again and regain its past glory.
