Government Rectifies Misinterpretation Error with Reliance Jio Agreement

The CAG's earlier estimated revenue loss due to alleged misinterpretation of an agreement with Reliance Jio by BSNL has been corrected. No revenue loss occurred, as the clause was misunderstood. BSNL has since rectified invoices and measures are in place to prevent future errors.

The government's purported revenue loss from a misinterpreted agreement with Reliance Jio Infocomm has been cleared. According to Telecom Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the error, noted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), has been addressed.

Initially, CAG reported that state-owned BSNL failed to enforce the master service agreement with Reliance Jio, leading to unbilled additional technology on BSNL's infrastructure, resulting in a loss of Rs 1,757.76 crore from the government exchequer from May 2014 to March 2024.

The minister clarified that BSNL's agreement was misinterpreted, causing no actual revenue loss. BSNL has issued revised invoices and taken steps to monetize surplus inventory, correct agreement ambiguities, and enhance bill processing procedures.

(With inputs from agencies.)