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User’s the King

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VoicenData Bureau
New Update

I

happened to meet the Chief General Manager (CGM) of one of the telephone

departments in a metro recently. Ram Vilas Paswan’s gift of free telephone to

3.25 lakh DoT employees in order to woo them into accepting DoT corporatization

was fresh in my mind. In the course of our conversation I asked the CGM and his

entire team of GMs, about their comments on the minister’s decision. They

reacted sharply saying if people in private sector could avail of perks, then

could they not give their employees simple telephones?

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Later that night Paswan was seen justifying his move on TV.

His argument being if other Government employees could avail freebies like free

tickets (Railways), free ration (Defence) and free air travel (Airlines), then

so could a DoT employee. While all are aware of Paswan’s intentions, the

reaction of finance minister Yashwant Sinha, the industry, and that of the media

is also well known. The criticism has been such that now the DoT bonanza has

been put on hold under PMOs instructions.

Despite Paswan’s said intentions, it is difficult to

believe that an organization, which has been rated as one of most corrupt and

inefficient can undergo such a drastic change in attitude with this gesture. It

could cost the state exchequer upto Rs 1,200 crore.

The credentials of DoT employees are well known to

individuals and private businesses. The latest strike by DoT staffers in Delhi

is a moot example. Telephone users are not bothered if the Government decides to

give free phones. What they want is money’s worth–good service for money

spent. Government’s policies and plans must stem from the theory that user is

the king.

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One very interesting issue that surfaced was that of the head

of DoT (Services). While the Government believed that speeding up of reforms

necessitated a bureaucrat on the hot seat, the Indian Telecom Service officers

disagreed. They wanted a technocrat and their demand was just. What DoT needs is

an effective technocrat who can also look beyond the interests of DoT.

Government’s decision to further break down DoT (S) has taken everybody by

surprise. Once again a shortcut approach.

However, there have been some very positive developments. One

is the Government indication that it is open to link bureaucratic structuring to

technology. The Government’s acceptance of ICE phenomenon, and some

recommendations to have a common (IT, telecom and information &

broadcasting) ministry and a regulatory authority is a welcome sign. One only

hopes that this Government does not mess up things mid way. The other good sign

is the announcement of huge plans in the area of communications and convergence

by biggies like Tatas, Reliance, etc. Their involvement will take care of

procedural as well as policy problems. These developments should encourage the

industry, the investors, and the world at large to look at India seriously.

Ibrahim Ahmed

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