According to reports, the Finance Ministry has suggested that the two public sector undertakings, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), be shut down. This suggestion was made after the department of telecommunications (DoT) asked the finance ministry to pump in another Rs 74,000 crore into the department to revive the ailing PSUs.

The cost of closure, according to the finance ministry won’t be as high as Rs 95,000 crore, which was argued by the department of telecommunications earlier. With over 2 lakh jobs at stake, the unions of both the PSUs, MTNL and BSNL have said that the employees will go on a strike post Diwali to protest wage delay if the government fails to give them a direction of revival soon.
Soon after this suggestion became public knowledge, Twitter users began to argue the importance of keeping BSNL and MTNL around and what they mean to them.
Not all private network reach rural areas #BSNL does. Closing it wil cut off all the communications to those remote areas. Instead of stupid statues, Govt should invest in improving bsnl Network. Like every other thing going down in this govt, dont let this die as well!
— Krishna Shasti (@Krishnashasti) October 10, 2019
WHEN THERE IS FLOOD,#BSNL IS WITH YOU
— NAGELLA TRINATH (@nagellatrinath) October 9, 2019
WHEN THERE IS EARTHQUAKE,#BSNL IS WITH YOU
WHEN PROFITS ARE DOWN & PRIVATE OPERATORS ARE SHUTTING DOWN,#BSNL WITH YOU
WHEN PRIVATE OPERATORS INCREASE TARIFF ALSO #BSNL IS STILL WITH YOU
JOIN #BSNL THROUGH #MNP @CMDBSNL @BSNLCorporate pic.twitter.com/vTgBsH5Yoo
I’m Using #BSNL last Six Year, Even No Complaint’s in last Six Years, one of the best network..!!#BSNL #Forever pic.twitter.com/13GzPMzA4L
— Rajath THM 🇮🇳 (@Rajthm) October 10, 2019
#BSNL serve the services “Of the People, by the People, for the People” without any profit loss.
— Amit Singh (@amikrrish34) October 10, 2019
So serve your company 🙏
@kiranrathee1 You don’t know.#BSNL is the only communication company playing an important role in India’s communication system. @BSNLCorporate is the strategic assets & trustworthy brand for Nation & its security point of view.#BSNL_Revival#SaveBSNL
— @bhin@v Tiw@ri (@abhinavtiwari36) October 8, 2019
🇮🇳 BSNL है तो विश्वास है। pic.twitter.com/kHBZkmDldC
This is the reason we need bsnl #BSNL for transparent billing with no hidden charges which may be added as per whims and fancies of the operator. #SaveBSNL #BSNL_REVIVAL #bsnl
— Rohit (@Rohit23920485) October 9, 2019
#BSNL added 13,54,090 Mobile, 42599 High Speed #FTTH and 32758 #Broadband connections in month of Sept-19.
— Sunil Sharma (@Suni_tweet) October 9, 2019
🐯Tiger🐯Zinda💪 Hai
I am not linked to #BSNL in any way. As a common citizen of India, it hurts me 2 see Govt Sector Companies (PSUs) being sold off or killed by this Govt.
— HINDUSTANI (@Indianlion13) October 10, 2019
BSNL, ONGC, HMT, BPCL, Indian Airlines, SCI, Concor, NEEPCO, THDC, HAL,IndiaPost etc are just a few examples#BoycottJio#BSNL pic.twitter.com/JFlpILvvWt
BSNL MTNL are likely to get shut very soon.
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRai) October 9, 2019
Who said MS Dhoni is the best finisher? It’s Modiji.
The sad state of the BSNL quarter where I lived my childhood. The whole colony is deserted. There’s no work in the factory. Everyone is waiting to be sacked or be forced retired… 😟😢😥 pic.twitter.com/3xJEqum1JJ
— Rohit Prasad Nigam (@rohitnig) October 8, 2019
paid media is working to spoil reputation of BSNL. It should be strongly condemned. BSNL is in better position than private operators even though govt bureaucracy is trying to make delay or halt the network up gradation and expansion.@FinMinIndia @BSNLCorporate #savebsnl #bsnl
— Thatnerdwalaguy (@thatnerdwalaguy) October 9, 2019
#BSNL, when startd mobile services, caused the tariff to bcome affordable to all. Yet did not cause panic in the market. Those offering freebies are bound to recover it more sooner than later.
— Mahipal Singh (@mahijpr) October 10, 2019
It is essential for public tht #BSNL remains there to ensure tariffs do not go haywire.
#BSNL is always with served its customers well. PSUs are pride of our country need to be protected so that thousands of jobs can be saved. #BoycottJio customers switch to #SaveBSNL so that we can bring back its old glory. pic.twitter.com/HCbP9yFc3N
— Ashish Bhalla (@Iam_Ashishbhal) October 10, 2019
My first sim operator is #BSNL. Till now complaints, no issue like other operators. Love you #BSNL….
— Anuj mitra 🇮🇳 (@anujmitra74) October 10, 2019
This is so sad. I know many employees haven’t got their salary since so many months and if it’s shut down then so many ppl will be jobless. Govt should come with a better solution for BSNL and MTNL
— Whatever It Takes (@deadlypoisondp) October 9, 2019