Cash-strapped Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd ( BSNL ) is monetising land assets to improve revenue while cutting operational costs in the absence of revival package from the government, according to chairman. The telco requires 4G airwaves to stay competitive, and is looking at cutting its workforce by nearly half once the Centre approves its much-awaited voluntary retirement scheme, Purwar toldin an interview. Edited excerpts:Revenue is our first priority. Management of operational expenditure is our second priority. There are many expenses which can be re-looked at and optimised by taking some policy initiatives. We can also look at how and in what manner outsourcing functions can be reduced, and utilise in-house talent such as officers and staff. We can utilise existing resources in a better and optimal manner, and reduce operations. Power is my consumption and highest operation cost, which comes in at almost Rs 2,700 crore. We will look to reduce energy consumption by 15%.We are leasing and renting so that we start earning additional income, and today, we expect Rs 200 crore of revenue and this can easily be ramped up to Rs 1,000 crore. This is the annual revenue, so in the next 12 to 15 months, this is one area where we should push.Secondly, we have 68,000 towers. Towers which we have given to others are 13,000 - 14,000. We are looking at how the tenancy on towers can be increased so that additional revenue can be generated.If you look at the market, it is gradually becoming data-based with 50% or more revenue coming from data services. So, data is an important piece for any telco to survive. Non-availability of 4G spectrum is impacting our competitive strength. We are working with the government, which is supporting us in all manners and looking at how quickly the 4G spectrum can be allocated to BSNL.A long-time has elapsed from our initial demand but my impression from the engagement with the government at all levels is that it appreciates our concern and the need for 4G spectrum. The government is working overboard to address it. So, we believe, that very soon 4G spectrum will be allocated. It is also a part of the revival package, which the government has been discussing.No company can survive on the government’s support, and it has to come up to market expectations and strengthen its revenue in a market environment. The 4G spectrum is one of the items, and its cost is another item, on which the government is working upon. The staff cost in MTNL and BSNL can be reduced. We all know that BSNL’s employee cost is 75% of the revenue. The number of persons in the organisation are far higher than the competitors.One of the proposals under discussion is the VRS . We are looking forward to 70,000 to 80,000 employees, and make it attractive for the employees, so that they can see value in the VRS.We will do the outsourcing at that point of time, to maintain the operations, and may also opt for the people on the monthly contract basis, so that the gap can be fulfilled. Still, BSNL has substantial manpower, even if 60,000 to 70,000 people take VRS, we will still have 1 lakh employees.The sum of Rs 1,100 crore on account of vendor payments has been recently approved. All operators in the sector are facing financial problems and BSNL is also going through it. BSNL has always honoured all its liabilities. We are taking various steps to clear dues of all partners in a step-wise manner, and some have received it while others are in the process of receiving their dues.