B.Y. Raghavendra, Shivamogga MP, has raised the problems faced by people of Malnad region owing to the poor quality of service offered by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the issue of revival of Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISP) in the Lok Sabha.
Raising the issue of poor maintenance of BSNL infrastructure, including the towers in Malnad region, during Zero Hour on Wednesday, he said that mobile subscribers were put to hardships that were results of lack of proper maintenance of the towers. He said that as the topography of Malnad region is unique BSNL should strengthen its network here by installing additional 4G mobile towers.
On Tuesday, during Zero Hour Mr. Raghavendra had requested the Union government to drop the proposal for disinvestment in VISP, a public sector undertaking in Bhadravathi managed by Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL).
Expressing displeasure that the SAIL had not evinced interest to invest funds for modernisation of VISP, he said that from 1989 to 2019 SAIL has invested an amount of ₹175 crore for VISP for supply of raw materials and maintenance while an amount of around ₹75,000 crore was invested in its other units during this period. Commencement of mining activity in the captive mine allotted for VISP in Ballari district, investment of funds for revival of the firm and providing work for 26 days in a month for the workers serving on contract basis there were some of the other demands raised.