Send a telegram on the night of July 14. Maybe your name will be recorded in the history as the last person who availed this service.
With technology providing faster modes of communication, the 160-year-old telegraph is going to be a nostalgic memory.
As per a circular issued by Shameem Akhtar, Sr General Manager (Telegraph Services) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the telegraph service, which delivered happy and sad news to people across the country,is to be discontinued with effect from July 15.
The BSNL has already withdrawn telegram services for overseas communication.It is also directed in the circular that telecom offices should maintain the log books, service messages, delivery slips only for six months from the date of bookings. However, complaints, press reports and other messages from different consumer fora have to be kept for one year.
According to BSNL authorities, the decision was taken in consultation with the Government of India and Department of Posts.
“Since the telegraph service has become not commercially viable, we approached the government. But the government asked the BSNL board to decide on it. Department of Posts authorities are of the opinion that there are better options,” a source said. It is not a sudden decision. There was a proposal to stop the service last year itself. The public sector telecom company is planning to redeploy surplus telegraph staff members to other sections such as landline phone and broadband services and their shifting could take place in the next three months.
It was in May 2011 that the government revised telegraph charges after a gap of 60 years.