The Deccan Herald 04.08.2010
BBMP to freeze sim cards of 1,292 staffers
Bangalore, August 3, DHNS:
Continuing the tradition of austerity drive, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Tuesday decided to freeze the sim cards of 1,292 staffers.
According to the Palike, with the rising cost of cellphone bills the measure is expected to save nearly Rs 80 lakh a year on the phone bills.
“The measure has been taken to ensure that BBMP does not have to share the burden of those whose requirements of phone is minimal,” said a Palike official.
The austerity measures will target BBMP drivers, Horticulture inspectors, assistant engineers, technical supervisors and other employees who have minimal need of the cellphones.
“Besides, the engineers and other employees have been provided with walkie-talkies for their day-to-day work,” the official said.
Monthly bill
It is learnt that BBMP had provided BSNL connections to 2,500 employees two-and-a-half year ago.
The average monthly bill would come up to Rs 10.5 lakh only for these 2,500 staffers. As a result, the freezing of 1,292 sim cards is expected to save at least Rs 6.5 lakh per month.
