Incompetent: IT Panel Slams BSNL, RailTel over Slow BharatNet Implementation

Today, the parliamentary standing committee on IT slammed BSNL, RailTel and PGCIL. The panel was displeased with the way Phase I of BharatNet was implemented. Crucially, the project will bring internet connectivity to rural India, and is key to realize Government's Digital India vision.

Standing Committee's Comments on BharatNet Implementation

The IT standing committee noted the lackluster way in which BharatNet project was implemented by the CPSUs. The parliamentary panel stated that “they lacked competency and sufficient expertise to implement the project of this size". The comments were made in a report to be presented to Lok Sabha this Saturday. The panel also said, "it simply gives an impression that the task could have been performed better by any other private agencies/global companies interested with the project”. Notably, Center tasked these PSUs with laying down fiber for Phase I of the project.

What is BharatNet?

BharatNet was approved by the government in October 2011. The project’s aim is to bring internet connectivity to all 2.50 lakh gram panchayats in India. Notably, fiber-based connection will ensure faster and more reliable internet. The first deadline was set at October 2021 but COVID-19 has forced extensions to the same.

The committee stated the importance of the project to Digital India. It said that BharatNet is "the backbone and important pillar of ‘Digital India’". Furthermore, it also noted that the "success of Digital India program squarely rests on the success of BharatNet project”. Also, the committee highlighted the key reasons for Digital India. The project aims to make governance transparent and more accessible to the public via Digital India. That is why the success of BharatNet is so crucial to Center's plans.

PSUs Showed Inadequate Planning Ahead of Launch

These firms have the most experience in laying fiber cables, which was reason enough for the Government to go for them. This seems ironic in retrospect, as they showed insufficient planning and readiness for the project. This lack of seriousness resulted in a delay of 3 years right from the get go. Phase I started in July 2014 and concluded in December 2017. Phase I's target included laying fiber to 1 lakh gram panchayats, which the project achieved in December 2017.

The IT Panel highlighted this, stating that the Telecom Department lacked the "seriousness and foresightedness it deserves”. Furthermore, the committee said that the project is "proudly claimed to be the world’s largest infrastructure its own kind". However, they noted that the "implementation should also reflect the grandeur of the project which unfortunately has not been in this case".

Moreover, the report stated that in spite of the expertise and experience, "the performance of the 3 CPSUs in Phase-I has not been satisfactory”.

Incidentally, Union cabinet approved a strategy in July 2017 to make sure there are fewer shortcomings in the first phase of the project. In this strategy, during Phase-II, the remaining 1.50 lakh gram panchayats will get fiber and wireless connections.

RailTel the Worst in BharatNet Implementation

RailTel took the wrong kind of center stage in the report presented by the IT Panel. So much so that the firm was denied any sort of work under Phase II. This should serve as warning enough for BSNL and PowerGrid as the committee "hopes" that their performance will improve over time.

The committee added it would like “stringent measures, such as ‘penalty clause’ for not achieving the targets” for CPSUs. This move will also likely speed up the work on Phase II so that there are lesser delays. On this, the Government stated that there was an "indirect penalty" already in place which will ensure that timelines are met properly.