Govt gives BSNL 'Mini Ratna' status

BSNL has not been given 'navratna' status as it does not fulfil the Department of Public Enterprises' criteria.

The Government on Thursday said that telecom public sector unit BSNL had been accorded the 'Mini Ratna' category-I status.

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In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for Communications and IT Shakeel Ahmad said BSNL was accorded 'Mini Ratna' status on February 21, 2006.

He said BSNL has not been given 'navratna' status as it does not fulfil the Department of Public Enterprises' criteria that it should have obtained at least excellent or very good memorandum of understanding rating in three of the last five years.

BSNL came into being on October 1, 2000, but signed its first MoU for the year 2004-05 as it had got exemption for the first three years, he said.

VSNL: Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd has reported that it has signed a shareholders' agreement to have 51 per cent stake in second fixed line operator of South Africa.