You still have till Monday to submit an application to the telephone
adalat of BSNL-Goa. Please do so, if you have any problems, which you
probably will if you're a subscriber. If you could improve on the issues
raised below, please do. Also, I'm working on a listing of Internet
woes, so please send me your inputs. If anyone would like to add their
names to this letter, please email me offlist. You would need to be a
BSNL-Goa subscriber though. FN
Long pending telephone-related complaints? Submit your
grievances at a Telephone 'Adalat'. To be held next in
August 2005. Send applications in duplicate, with complete
details of the case, in writing to Commercial Officer (HQ),
o/o General Manager, BSNL, Goa Telecom District,
Goa Sanchar Bhavan 3 EDC Patto Plaza, Panjim 403001.
Last date for complaints is June 27, 2005.
Frederick Noronha
Independent Journalist
House No 784
Near the Convent
Saligao 403511 Bardez
Goa
June 25, 2005
Commercial Officer (HQ),
Office of the General Manager,
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited,
Goa Telecom District
Goa Sanchar Bhavan
3 EDC, Patto Plaza
Panjim 403001
Re: Telephone Adalat, long delays in release of telephone directory
Sir,
The unusually long delay in the release of an updated telephone
directory has put us subscribers to immense difficulties, hardship, and
loss of productivity. Each time we need to locate a phone number in Goa,
one has to dial the enquiry, which results in a wastage of time, energy
and resources. In addition, because of the expansion of the telecom
services in Goa and other related reasons, a large number of phone
numbers have been changed in recent times, only adding to the severity
of the problem.
In any region, the telephone directory is an important tool for
commerce, professional life, and general smooth functioning of the
economy and society. From the housemaker to the student, from the small
businessman to someone searching for a shop dealing in a certain product
-- everyone needs the service of an uptodate and accurate telephone
directory.
We, in Goa, have been deprived the same for the last three to five
years. At the time when the last telephone directory was released, only
a limited number of copies were put out in circulation. By the repeated
delays in releasing the same, Goa has been immensely inconvenienced.
At the same time, allegegations have been made about the circumstances
under which the previous tender for printing of the telephone directory
was issued. In this context, it is essential that a thorough
investigation is made into the same, to ensure that the citizen is not
put to undue harassment due to questionable decisions of the
authorities, who are expected to act in public interest.
In connection with the telephone directory, I have myself suggested
repeatedly in the past -- and would do so again -- that the entire
directory needs to be categorised on one, common alphabetical listing.
In today's context, it makes no sense whatsoever to divide phone
subscribers according to the exchange they are located in. Goa has a
common dialling facility, and whether I live in Saligao, Taleigao,
Pernem or Canacona in no way affects the way anyone needs to phone me.
Exchange-wise listing made sense when Goa's exchanges were not directly
connected with one another, and a trunk-call had to be made to dial up
someone living, say, 30 kms away.
Those days are, thankfully, gone.
Today, if subscribers are segregated on an exchange-by-exchange basis,
it becomes extremely difficult for anyone to locate a subscribers phone
number. If I'm searching for a telephone number of someone living in
Utorda or Mashem, it becomes very difficult for me to locate the person
if I am not aware which exchange services the Utorda or Mashem areas. If
someone doesn't know that I live in Saligao, it will become next to
impossible for him or her to locate my phone number. This is a ludicrous
situation!
While on this issue, I would also suggest that Goa Telecom considers
including a listing of Goa-linked websites and email addresses (of those
who are willing to be listed, and surely all official numbers of public
servants). Private initiatives on this front have already been
undertaken, and it would be helpful if Goa Telecom undertook the same
too.
Sincerely yours,
Frederick Noronha.
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