Shillong: Union Communications and Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie today (Feb 21, 2004) reviewed the progress of cellular services in the Northeast with senior officials of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

Chief General Manager of BSNL's Northeastern circle, R Purushothaman, who led a four-member delegation of senior officials, said that the Minister reviewed the progress of cellular service in all the six States (barring Assam and Sikkim) falling under the circle.

However, no decision was taken on launching the cellular service at Agartala, a decision awaiting security clearance, he said.

The Minister's review meeting with senior BSNL officials assumed significance as a strong public resentment was built up earlier in Shillong over the Centre's directives to the Reliance Telecom Ltd to ask its subscribers to migrate from pre-paid to post-paid service on the security concerns.

Yielding to public pressure, Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang also approached the Centre to revoke the order for some time.

Shourie, who arrived last evening (Feb 20, 2004) on a two-day tour, today called on Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob at the Raj Bhawan.

The call was termed by the Raj Bhawan sources as a "courtesy" one.

He later addressed BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) workers at the party office.