- Ramvilas Paswan, minister for communications, GoI.
At
a time when India wants to leapfrog into the future communications generation,
we have Ramvilas Paswan as India’s minister for communications. He is
perceived by the industry as more of a politician rather than a person with a
vision for the communications infrastructure in the country. His recent
announcements on the corporatization and splitting of the DoT, sops for lakhs of
DoT employees have added to the confusion. While many see his decisions as
populist and short-term, Paswan do not agree. In an exclusive interview, Ibrahim
Ahmad, executive editor, Voice & Data, tries to find out what communications
and its liberalization mean to him.
What is your dream about the communications scenario in the country?
I would like the communications facilities to be made available to every
single village. And it is just not the voice communication. Our rural masses
should also benefit from the Internet revolution that is happening. In addition,
our communication network has to meet the requirements of a modern and dynamic
economy.
What do you think are the major issues facing the country as far as
communications is concerned?
On the one hand, there are the development issues relating to making telecom
facilities available in all villages and making telephone available on demand.
On the other, it is equally important to ensure that whatever facilities are set
up are operated efficiently and reliably. Then you have the IT revolution
sweeping the world in which India is playing and is expected to continue playing
a leading role. That requires ensuring that enough bandwidth is available as
required.
How comfortable are you as the minister for communications, especially
when there has been so much of technological advancement in this filed? How
strong would you say, is your understanding of the technological issues?
The task of looking after the communications ministry is extremely
challenging. Not only because of rapid technological advancements, but also
because this sector has to play a very important role in the modernization of
the country and its economy. For policy issues what is required is an
understanding of the applications and implications of technology. The department
possesses technically very competent and well-informed officers who are able to
assist me fully in implementing policy initiatives.
Worldover, the thrust is on reform and liberalization of telecom. But in
India, the growth has been very slow. Is the Government of India (GoI) not
convinced about liberalization of telecom? Or is it just a matter of time?
I do not agree that the liberalization of telecom in India
has been slow. The process of liberalization is a tedious one. Very often issues
come up that require a re-look at various stages. This is evident from the fact
that though the Government announced its telecom policy initially in 1994, it
brought about major changes in 1999 because there were certain difficulties
experienced by the various operators as well as the Government. The statements
in the National Telecom Policy 1999 (NTP ’99) and the vigour with which this
policy is being implemented are proof enough about the Government’s
convictions about liberalization.
What is your interpretation of liberalization in telecom?
Liberalization in telecom is not to be treated as an end in itself. The
objective of liberalization is to ensure that telecommunication sector meets the
requirements of the customers and the economy. For this, deployment of funds has
to be enhanced. By bringing in liberalization, we achieve this objective.
Though Internet telephony is the driving force behind the new telecom
revolution everywhere, it is still banned in India. What are your views on it?
As stated in NTP ’99, Internet telephony is to be reviewed from time to
time because the current technology is not developed up to the level where it
can be offered as an acceptable means of communications. What is more important
is the utilization of the Internet Protocol (IP) for voice transmission, which
does not have to use the Internet. This will be utilized in the country’s
network.
There are many people and organizations secretly making Internet telephony
calls in India. This is encouraging and tempting many others to also do the
same. What do you think should be done about this?
VSNL through which all the Internet communications pass, do take steps from time
to time to prevent the illegally carried activities on Internet.
Some of your colleagues in related ministries and some experts have argued
that broadcasting, telecom, and IT should be merged into one ministry. What do
you think about that?
The Government policy is to bring about convergence of broadcasting,
telecom, and IT. To implement this, a single act covering all these areas and
which will replace Indian Telegraph Act 1885, Cable Act, Indian Wireless Act,
etc., is being drafted.
You talked of your dream earlier. By when do you think that dream will be
achieved?
The dream about communications is a vision that does not end on a given
date. It is an on going process. However, there are certain specific targets
within the overall vision that have to be achieved within a specified timeframe.
For example, ensuring availability of telephone in each village, providing
reliable connectivity to all exchanges, etc. are to be achieved by March 2002.
In fact, some of these targets in some states are to be achieved a year ahead of
the other states.
Of late, there has been a lot of confusion with respect to DoT
corporatization. While the Government and some senior officials have supported
it, there are many within the Government and DoT who have opposed it. It seems
that we have been talking more than the actual progress. This is creating
confusion. Is there a clear plan for it?
There is no confusion with respect to corporatization of DTS.
It has been clearly enunciated in NTP ’99 and announced in Parliament and
other forums. Of course, there are bound to be certain apprehensions and
misgivings in any such major restructuring exercise, particularly among the
personnel likely to be affected, like in most other countries. However, most of
them welcome it. Others are also realizing that this will be in their long-term
interest. We have already appointed a consultant and a clear-cut plan is being
prepared for corporatization by October 2000. The name has also been chosen–Bharat
Sanchar Nigam.
Do you believe, from the bottom of your heart, that DoT should be
corporatized? Is it the solution for faster growth and development of
communications in the country?
Yes, indeed. I genuinely feel that DTS should be corporatized.
Corporatization of telecom services is necessary to provide a level playing
field to various operators and clear the perception about any mixing of roles
with policy making and licensing. In addition, it will also provide the
necessary flexibility in operations to this corporatized body in facing
competition. Altogether, it will help in faster growth and development of
communications in the country.
Now that you have decided to further split DoT (Services), what will be
the role of the two departments?
DTO will be responsible for the telecom operations in the country until its
corporatization by October 2000 and DTS will be responsible for carrying out its
corporatization within the above time schedule. After that there will be only
the corporate entity and the main DoT, which will be responsible for policy,
planning, licensing, spectrum management and various other functions of an
administrative ministry, including its various PSUs including this corporate
entity, and other PSUs like MTNL, VSNL, TCIL, etc.