The Odisha government has failed to clear its outstanding telephone bills despite the Ministry of Communications sending multiple reminder letters, including three in recent months by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
As of the end of 2025, various State government departments together owed ₹28.54 crore in unpaid telephone dues to public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which is already under financial stress.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Mr. Scindia said, “BSNL plays a vital role in providing telecom services across the country, especially in rural and remote areas. It supports key government departments, including the armed forces, and serves numerous banks and institutions.”
“With its wide network and strong presence, BSNL remains a reliable and trusted service provider for delivering citizen-centric services. Given BSNL’s financial stress, the Government of India has approved revival packages in 2019, 2022 and 2023 to support its viability and competitiveness,” he pointed out.
“Despite this, the company needs steady cash flows for routine operations and modernization of its telecom infrastructure. As on December 31, 2025, ₹28.54 crores remains outstanding from departments and organizations under the State of Odisha,” mentioned the Union Minister.
