Kerala - Alappuzha   

BSNL to introduce special scheme for reconnection

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, JAN. 28. The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) would introduce a special scheme in Alappuzha district for reconnection with waiver of rent for the period in which the connection was severed, said the BSNL Alappuzha general manager, Sebastian, here today.

Replying to the queries of consumers at an `open house' convened at the initiative of V.M. Sudheeran, MP, Mr Sebastian said consumers could avail of the scheme from February 1 to 28 this year. He said a consumer grievance redressal cell would be formed at the BSNL district headquarters.

Earlier, Mr Sudheeran, who presided over the open house, pointed out that a large number of consumers had said that their complaints had been pending with BSNL for long and that they had not received any reply.

A large section of the consumers who participated in the open forum opined that BSNL should cultivate a consumer-friendly attitude among its employees.

An office-bearer of the district consumer forum, Somarajan, said that many of the STD booths in the district were charging excess rates from consumers. Most STD booth owners refused to issue bills to consumers, he said.

Mr. Somarajan said BSNL was not prompt in repairing telephones which developed complaints. Often, consumers who registered such complaints were advised to buy new instruments, he said.

The Alappuzha Merchants Association secretary, Anirudhan, who spoke at the open house, said that BSNL had no right to collect the rent if the consumer brought the instrument himself.

Some of the consumers who spoke at the open house noted that the BSNL had fixed the last date of payment of bills at the end of every month with an ulterior motive. As most consumers belong to the salaried class who get their wages in the first week of every month, they would not be able to pay bill on the due date as they would have spent all their money by the end of the month. They would opt to pay with a fine the next month. The BSNL was getting a huge amount as fine every month, consumers complained.

Many consumers opined that BSNL was not trying to solve the issue of shortage of BSNL mobile pre-paid connection cards.

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