Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Minister for Communication (IC) Manoj Sinha on October 18, 2017, said that the soldiers and officers of Military services and para-military units like CRPF, BSF, BRO, ITBP would not have to pay a rental of Rs 500 per month for using Digital Satellite Phone Terminal (DSPT) services from October 19,2017.
The Soldiers and officers and para-military personnel are deployed in remote and far flung areas to protect Borders of India. Since they are posted away from their homes and headquarters, there is a constant requirement for them to speak to their family and also to their Headquarters. They use only Digital Satellite Phone Terminal (DSPT) service provided by BSNL because there is no other means of communications available in those areas.
Minister for Communications Manoj Sinha, briefing the media here on October 18, 2017, said that in order to use the facility of DSPT, the soldiers and officers are at present required to pay monthly fee of Rs 500 and call charges of Rs 5 per minute. But, looking at their requirement and also the heavy cost they have to incur on talking to their family members, the government has taken an important decision on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.
Sinha said from Diwali day that is October 19, 2017, no monthly fee will be taken for using DSPT service. The current monthly fee of Rs 500 will be ‘Zero’ from october 19. The present telephone charges of Rs 5 per minute is also being reduced to Re 1 per minute, Sinha said, according to a PIB release. With this special Diwali Gift from Government of India, Defence personnel can now talk without worrying for more expenses to their home and their Headquarter.