Taking a strong exception to the dis- mal performance exhibited by BSNL, particularly during the devastating floods, chief minister Omar Abdullah observed that BSNL has maligned the image and prestige of central govern- ment in the state. Taking a dig at snail’s pace mea- sures taken by BSNL in restoration of the lost connectivity, Omar in brief chat with The Kashmir Magazine said that had the state government under- gone the restoration measures like that of the BSNL, the state would have been still submerged under the water.
“This is the only major central office representing the central government in state and its dismal performance during the floods has put a question mark on its mandate,” he said. The chief minister claimed further that his own official BSNL number might be still out of order, making him to ask for phone from his subordinates to make a phone call. “Even in secretariat the phones are not working. I have to either remain present in civil secretariat or at Hari Niwas so that to remain connected.”
Pertinently, when the devastating floods created havoc and the mobile telecommunications was the most needed service to inquire about the whereabouts of near and dear ones, most of the operators especially the state owned BSNL remained com- pletely out of gear, adding to the miseries of helpless people. Even near a month has passed since theses floods ravaged the state, BSNL is still per- forming at a snail’s pace with its landline, broadband and cell phone networks remaining abysmally dis- turbed.