160 year old Telegraph Service which is run by BSNL (Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Ltd ) is now a history. From Today (14th July 2103 ) onward BSNL
has decided to shut off this services following a huge shortfall in revenue.
The service generated about Rs.75 lakh annually,
compared with the cost of over Rs.100 crore to run and
manage it. This Services is will start at 8 AM and close by 9 PM.
Once a fundamental part of the country's communication system,
used for everything from taking care of official business to reporting deaths
and marriages.
The first experimental electric telegraph line was started between
Kolkata and Diamond Harbour in 1850 and it was opened for use by the British
East India Company the following year. In 1854, the service was made available
to the public.
It was such an important mode of communication in those days that
revolutionaries fighting for the country's independence used to cut the
telegram lines to stop the British from communicating.
The use of telegrams has declined with the spread of mobile phones
and the Internet in the country.
Indian courts had accepted only telegrams and telegram receipts as proof of
evidence in civil or criminal suits. Lawyers vouched for the telegrams as
they were registered under the Indian Evidence Act and known for their
credibility when presented in court.
Price per
telegram:
* General telegrams - Rs.25 up to 30 words plus 12.36 percent tax,
thereafter Re.1 per word
* Death telegrams Rs.5 up to 30 words, thereafter Re.1 per word.
Types of
telegraph devices used:
* Formatted Terminal
* Electronic Keyboard
* Store Forward Telegraph
* Store Forward Messaging System
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