Warm Welcome & Meeting with Respected Shri. Deb Kumar Chakrabarti ji, Member Services, DoT: {Report by Ms. Anu Agarwal, CS SNEA BSNL CO}: Delegation of SNEA comprising Shri. M. S. Adasul, GS SNEA CHQ, Shri. Arvind Pal Dahiya, JSC CHQ, Mrs. Anu Agrawal, CS SNEA BSNL CO and Shri. Umesh Agrawal ACS SNEA BSNL CO had a meeting with Shri. Deb Kumar Chakrabarti ji, Member Services DoT at 1230 Hrs on 11/09/2025 in his office at Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi.
At the outset, we congratulated Shri. Deb Kumar Chakrabarti ji, Member Services, DoT, gave warm welcome and conveyed best wishes for taking over responsibility of high office of Member Services and congratulated him by presenting a bouquet.
In reciprocation, Member Services DoT conveyed thanks to the delegation and all the members of SNEA. He remembered his golden days in BSNL and his contribution in different portfolios and initiatives for resolution of HR issues in a transparent manner.
Member Services, DoT, shared with us his interaction with different leaders of Unions/Associations in BSNL and remembered all active leaders of SNEA while he was interacting with them as PGM Pers BSNL CO.
We submitted that many issues of BSNL Executives are awaiting concurrence from DoT as all such cases are duly recommended by BSNL and sent to DoT, but positive action is still awaited.
We requested Member Services for urgent intervention on prominent HR issues affecting masses in BSNL viz. Implementation of 3rd PRC, Upgraded standard pay scale, Approval of Old Pension Scheme for JEs/JTOs recruited as per notification of DoT and non-adherence of transfer policy guidelines in dealing transfer posting issues by BSNL Management. Member Services acknowledged these long-pending issues and we had detailed discussions on it. The details of point wise discussions are as follows.
- Approval of 3rdPRC for BSNL Executives: We added that one of the prominent burning issues of BSNL executives is implementation of 3rd PRC which is pending from 2017. Member Services acknowledged the long pendency of this issue and shared that he is aware about this issue since he was holding the post of PGM Pers BSNL CO. We added that BSNL executives are not leaving any stone unturned to achieve the targets and accomplish the assigned works, but are still compelled to work at the older pay scale of 2007. DPE has clearly directed DoT to take up the proposal for removal of affordability clause to BSNL but since last six years, no action has been taken by DoT for the same. We narrated reasons for the losses in BSNL and explained how the executives are not responsible for the losses of BSNL and how the policies framed by DoT/then GoI and binding directions to BSNL to provide Telecom services with focus only on earning profit. We added that presently the Executives in BSNL are highly demotivated due to non-implementation of 3rd PRC and day by day they are losing hopes as there is total reluctance from DoT for approval of this proposal by citing affordability clause when DPE has issued clear direction to implement 3rd PRC by waiver of affordability clause. Member services acknowledged that this is a long pending issue and has definitely impacted on the overall growth and development of BSNL and assured all possible steps from his side to see that the proposal for implementation of 3rd PRC in BSNL is finally approved.
- Upgraded Standard pay Scales for affected Executives:We apprised Member Services about the issues created in BSNL due to directions vide Presidential order dated 28/03/2017 by DoT to downgrade the existing pay scales E1A to E1 of JTOs/JAOs who joined BSNL on or after 01/01/2007 and non-reviewing it for last 13 years even after repeated request by this association and BSNL Management. We shared our discussions and outcome thereof on this issue with Shri. Sunil Kumar Verma then Joint Secretary Admn DoT and Shri Rajiv Ranjan Tiwari Sr DDG LM who is looking after the charge of Joint Secretary Admn till new incumbent joins and status thereof. We shared that the Standard Pay Scale issue is seriously affecting thousands of younger executives of BSNL who are working at front in field units. We added that due to non-settlement of this genuine issue, the majority of Executives of BSNL are demoralised and this is directly affecting growth of BSNL. Member Services gave a patience hearing to our submission and assured to discuss this issue within DoT. He also added that the new JS Admn is taking over charge and assured that the issues will be taken care by regular JS Admn and asked us to submit a detailed note on this issue. We assured to submit detailed note on this subject and requested for time for detailed discussions and submission on this issue, which was agreed by Member Services.
- Old Pension to BSNL Executives recruited as per DoT Notification: We narrated about the burning issue of non-consideration of repeated requests by individuals and by BSNL to grant Old Pension Scheme to JEs/JTO recruits as per notification by GoI/DoT. BSNL has strongly recommended all such requests and forwarded to DoT for issuing Presidential Orders, but the same is not given consideration by DoT. We added that recently Hon CAT Chandigarh has given directions to BSNL and DoT for granting Old Pension Scheme to JEs/JTO Recruits as per DoT notification. We shared that SNEA has submitted detailed representation along with the relevant documents and requested for sympathetic consideration of this request and to give justice to around 2000 affected executives of BSNL for no mistake on their part. We also shared that it will be a supportive step for mission BSNL in Net profit by 2026. We also shared about our persuasion at DoP & PW and DPE, now DoT has to take a call on this issue without further delay. Member Services assured us to check the letter and see that suitable action is taken by DoT on this issue as per the directives of the Hon. court. Later, we checked the status of the letter submitted by SNEA and it is understood that the same is marked to Sr DDG Pers, who is looking into this OPS issue.
- DoT Support for functioning of ALTTC Ghaziabad:We discussed the issues in smooth functioning of ALTTC Ghaziabad after taking over of ALTTC Campus by DoT and requested for conclusion of issues by allotting one old abandoned Staff Quarters for use of Hostel for BSNL trainings from ERP Building from ALTTC Campus. He added that GoI is developing a world class Training Centre for which works have been started and will be completed in a time bound manner, the chances of getting any space for Hostel facilities of BSNL training Centre are less. DoT is investing about Rs 150 Crores for this training Centre which will take care of all training needs of Telecom sector with latest technologies. We added that ALTTC has been the prime training centre of BSNL serving for all circles in North India and major trainings throughout India and with Hostel facilities, the same needs will be taken care of. Member Services informed that instead of ALTTC Ghaziabad campus, BSNL should come up with a proposal of developing a new training centre at Central locations of Delhi/NCR and the same will be supported by DoT.
- Issues created due to non-adherence to Transfer policy guidelines by BSNL Management:We narrated that as PGM Pers BSNL, he was having total control of Transfer posting and till now the Transfer Policy guidelines were adhered to by BSNL. But during this year, the transfer policy guidelines are not respected and transfers are being issued on a pick and choose basis and without any criteria. We reminded him that while as PGM Pers he was taking care of all grievances at his level and it was never required to approach for such grievances with Director HR and he was even deciding posting of CGMs. We added that now the situation has totally changed and all powers of PGM Pers are withdrawn and even small and petty issues/grievances are decided at the level of CMD BSNL and Director HR has no role in overall process except responsibility. We apprised Member Services that even extreme genuine requests on grounds of critical illness like cancer are not given consideration for months together and humanitarian ground approach is missing spreading mass unrest among the affected executives in BSNL. Member Services was surprised to know such extreme changes and assured to look into the concern raised by the association on adherence to transfer policy guidelines.
- Proposal of 2ndVRS in BSNL and Rumours thereof: During discussions, we shared that every now and then strong rumours are being spread on proposal of second VRS in BSNL thereby creating confusion in minds of Executives. Such issues which are impacting on the moral and mental strength of the Executives diverting focus from BSNL Business and responsibilities, these rumours need to be clarified by any competent authority and office. On a query about the stand of SNEA on VRS, we responded that we do not oppose second VRS after implementation of 3rd PRC as some executives are willing for the same, but we oppose VRS without implementation of 3rd PRC. Though during discussions, BSNL management has clarified time to time that there is no VRS, but it is not officially declared either by BSNL or by DoT. Hence confusion continues in the minds of the Executives in BSNL. Member services informed that as per his information there will be no VRS for BSNL Executives and no need to worry.
- Starting Fresh Recruitment of JEs/JTOs in BSNL:We told Member Services that with implementation of VRS 2019, there was ban on fresh recruitment for five years and now the span of five years is completed. We do not demand for mass recruitment, but there is a need for recruitment in batches of some hundreds JE/JTO per year so that there will not be a vacuum in future. Since the last five years, there has been no recruitment in any cadre and there is mass retirement in the coming 4 to 5 years which will create a big vacuum in BSNL. Hence requested Member Services for starting the process of recruitment of JEs/JTOs may be in some hundreds per year so that there is no acute shortage of executives in BSNL at any time in future. Member Services appreciated our concern and assured us to look into it.
During the overall discussions Member Services was receptive and open to further discussions and he was aware about many issues discussed and assured all required support from his side on issues related to BSNL.
In conclusion of the meeting which lasted for 50 minutes, Member Services informed us that he had noted all the points submitted by us and assured that soon he will have another detailed meeting with us after deliberations with his team.
We once again congratulated Shri. Deb Kumar Chakrabarti ji, Member Services, DoT and conveyed thanks for sparing time from his busy schedule and giving patience hearing to issues discussed in the welcome meeting.
