Union Budget 2024: BSNL Gets ₹82,916 Cr Out Of ₹1.28 Lakh Cr Allocated For Telecom Sector

New Delhi: The Centre has allocated ₹82,916 crore to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) out of the total ₹1.28 lakh crore budgeted for the telecom sector.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced this major funding initiative during her budget speech, highlighting that the bulk of this allocation will be directed towards technology upgrades and organizational restructuring for BSNL.

The budget document reveals that the total net allocation for the telecom sector in Budget Estimate (BE) 2024-25 is ₹1,28,915.43 crore. This includes ₹1,11,915.43 crore plus an additional ₹17,000 crore sourced from the Universal Service Obligation Fund. These funds will support various schemes including compensation to telecom service providers, Bharatnet projects, and research and development initiatives.

For pension-related expenses for employees of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), including BSNL and MTNL, the budget earmarks ₹17,510 crore effective April 1, 2014. Additionally, ₹3,668.97 crore is proposed for repaying MTNL-related bonds.

The budget also allocates ₹34.46 crore for Technology Development and Investment Promotion, ₹70 crore for the Champion Service Sector Scheme, and ₹1,806.34 crore for the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.

To enhance domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, Sitharaman proposed a 5% increase in the import duty on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and related telecom equipment, raising the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) from 10% to 15%. However, PCBs made from critical and strategic minerals, including lithium, copper, and cobalt, will remain exempt from this increased duty. This move is aimed at boosting the processing and refining of essential minerals for strategic sectors.