The Odisha government has not paid ₹28.54 crore in outstanding telephone bills to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), despite multiple reminder letters. Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighting this delay as of December 31, 2025. BSNL, a key telecom provider especially in rural India, is under financial stress. "BSNL plays a vital role in providing telecom services across the country, especially in rural and remote areas," Mr. Scindia said. He noted BSNL supports government departments, the armed forces, banks, and delivers many citizen services. Since 2019, the Government of India approved revival packages for BSNL, but steady payments are needed for daily operations and upgrades. The highest dues come from the Department of Information and Public Relations at ₹8.59 crore, followed by the Law Department with ₹4.42 crore. Other departments like Education, Finance, Health and Family Welfare, Home, and Rural Development owe over ₹1 crore each. After a November reminder from Mr. Scindia, some departments like Finance and Information and Public Relations paid part of their bills. However, the total outstanding remains a worry. In May 2025, Odisha’s unpaid telephone bills were around ₹80 crore. Mr. Scindia urged Mr. Majhi to issue instructions for quick clearance to sustain BSNL’s services and quality.