SNEA Meeting with CMD BSNL for consideration of important HR Issues: On Tuesday, 07/04/2026 at 1830 Hrs GS SNEA had a meeting with Shri. A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD BSNL in presence of Dr. Kalyan Sagar Nippani, Director HR BSNL.
This meeting was mainly focused on important HR issues of BSNL Executives for minimum level of motivation and to address ongoing unrest among BSNL Executives.
At the outset, we narrated the mass unrest among BSNL executives due to non-resolution of any of HR issues for the last four months and creation of new issues like non-implementation of enhanced IDA for want of approval of DoT. We brought to notice of CMD BSNL that simple issues also not given consideration by the management on the name of targets of FY 2025-26 and now the new financial year has started and after a prolonged wait of four months. BSNL Executives are eagerly waiting for some positive actions from management of the pending HR issues.
CMD BSNL responded that the issues are being given consideration and Director HR is already working on it.
When categorically asked which HR issues were resolved in the last four months, it was informed that Director HR is continuously working on it and issues will be resolved in the coming days.
CMD BSNL stressed that there is need of more contribution by BSNL executives and appealed SNEA to actively support the recent actions for BINCC stating that if this idea is implemented properly there will be much increase in the revenue of BSNL.
We responded that we have called the feedback from our CSs about this idea and we will be working on it and added that without resolution of certain HR issues including restoration of minimum required financial benefits of BSNL Executives, we cannot extend further support. We added that there is much frustration among the executives as management is not seriously looking at HR issues and simple issues are made complicated and only assurances for months together cannot give motivation to understand and implement any new proposal by the management.
CMD BSNL was of the opinion that associations are opposing management and pointed out the letter by AUAB for regular posting of CMD and certain words mentioned in this letter like perceived lack of stable directions and strategic clarity. He added that he is working day and night along with the BSNL Board and we have clarity on our actions and with this many positive actions are seen. He agreed that though HR issues are not cleared for a few days, it does not mean that management has stopped considering HR issues. Rather he has given clear directions to Director HR to look into these issues and he is on the job.
GS responded that we have demanded nothing wrong and requested for posting of Regular CMD and it is not opposed to anyone including him, but we really mean that a giant PSU like BSNL spread all over India cannot run to the desired expectations of the Government of India with such temporary and continued looking after arrangements for years together.
CMD BSNL responded that there is nothing wrong in demanding regular CMD and associations/unions have their democratic right to raise their concern, but there is nothing like lack of strategic clarity and even in this temporary arrangements he is giving his best for BSNL and trying level best to make BSNL financially viable so that each and every employee is benefitted, but it needs time as many old issues are being taken care. He made it clear that as he is given responsibility, he is serving with full devotion and he has no hesitation to leave BSNL and he will follow the orders whatever may be.
CMD BSNL added that all HR issues cannot be resolved at a time, this list is of old issues and till he and his team is working to find solutions for these issues and assured that many HR issues will be settled but it will certainly need some time.
CMD BSNL added that on Promotion issues litigated for many years, PGM legal is working sincerely to find out the ways forward. He stressed that BSNL has filed MA in Supreme Court to overcome ongoing litigations and the same is being pursued for early clearance. Once this issue is resolved, BSNL executives will definitely see mass promotions and directed us to have some more patience and support management to overcome these hurdles permanently.
We responded that no case is filed by SNEA on promotions and we are ready for any action on part of SNEA for clearing these hurdles, but time taken is more and hence the executives are losing hope for promotions.
We also narrated that many issues were created in last year annual transfer order for no reason on part of management and though some corrective actions were taken, many of these manmade issues were not resolved even after repeated assurances and this is impacting negatively on image of Management as well as that of association and stressed for need of serious consideration of important HR issues.
We requested that at least this year all such issues should be avoided and sincere efforts are required for consideration of all OTP requests in uniform application of criteria and not as pick and choose basis.
CMD BSNL responded that he has issued any new transfers and it was implementation of all old orders. Rather he has stopped long stay transfers and only about 200 new transfers were issued to meet administrative requirements and assured that this year all such issues will be taken care of by Director HR and Director HR is fully empowered by him for the same.
We added that there are certain HR issues which can be resolved and some issues do not have any litigation or any financial impact and even these issues are not resolved and this is a real matter of concern for us.
We submitted a list of such urgent HR issues, if resolved will give some motivation to BSNL Executives. Copy<<<>>
Thereafter issues were discussed point wise and details of discussions are as follows.
Clearing disparity of educational Qualifications in Civil /Electrical wing by parity with Telecom wing: We requested for resolving this dispute by giving parity to Civil and Electrical wing executives at par with Telecom wing. CMD BSNL responded that the issue is already litigated and associations are taking the issues at different levels including Parliamentary Committee and matter is being decided, but it cannot be considered pending litigations. We responded that SNEA has not approached any court and any committee and we are pursuing it only with BSNL management. We added that by considering the age profile of affected executives in the Civil and Electrical wing, nobody will be benefitted from this continued dispute. There are ample posts for promotions and issues can be resolved by giving parity to executives in Civil/Electrical wing at par with Telecom wing as assured by BSNL. We also added that this demand has no relation with pending court cases, or untraceable order and only required is a decision by BSNL management for granting parity to executives of Civil and Electrical wing at par with executives of Telecom wing. This will help in overcoming all court cases and the stayed promotions can move ahead. The age profile of these executives allows only one or maximum second promotion for only a few executives and hence there is no contradictions as being projected. After elaborate discussions, CMD BSNL informed that management has no issues, but disputes are created by the court cases and instructed Director HR to take review of this issue and update him about the submission of association and how the issues can be resolved.
Approval of Benevolent Fund for BSNL Executives: We recalled our proposal for approval of Benevolent Fund for BSNL Executives. CMD BSNL took update information from Director HR who elaborated that the proposal is under consideration. He added that management is ready for the proposal except contributions from BSNL which is not possible at this stage due to financial conditions of BSNL.
We informed that in the last meeting of the Committee this issue has been discussed to depth and we have conveyed that the Benevolent Fund for BSNL Executives may be started with contribution from willing executives and the decision on contribution from BSNL may be decided by the management.
CMD BSNL added that any contribution by BSNL at this time is not possible at this stage and the same can be decided once the financial condition of BSNL improves. He added that it is up to the association where to go ahead with contributory Benevolent Fund for BSNL Executives or wait for improvement of financial conditions of BSNL and contribution by BSNL.
We responded that by understanding these financial conditions and stand of management during different rounds of discussions, SNEA has given a simple proposal for contribution by willing BSNL Executives for this Benevolent Fund that to be as and when need arises. There is no lengthy procedure for keeping funds and safety of funds collected.
We added that unfortunately since the last two years no final decision has been taken even after repeated meetings and assurances in Formal agenda meetings to go ahead with the Benevolent Fund for BSNL Executives. We added that families of BSNL recruited executives are suffering in case of death of the concerned executive and with this Benevolent Fund certain fixed financial support will be given to affected family members.
We further added that it is an optional process and only willing executives will be members of this fund and there should not be any issue as being projected. CMD BSNL conveyed that management is ready to go ahead with it and directed Director HR to look into the left out issues and see that the proposal of Benevolent Fund for BSNL Executives is discussed fresh and decided positively and without further delay.
Early approval of Sabbatical Leave for BSNL Executives: We conveyed thanks for approval of Sabbatical leave proposal by MC and requested for orders for its implementation and applicability to executives. CMD BSNL asked why the association wanted to allow their members to sit at home without salary, rather they should be motivated to work more. We responded that this facility of Sabbatical leave is available in many PSUs and this will be an opportunity to willing BSNL executives for pursuing their higher education, searching better opportunities and its assessment, to meet urgent family requirements when family members are really in need etc. We also added that BSNL management and DoT also thinks & projects that there are excess executives in BSNL and this sabbatical leave will surely reduce burden for a certain time. Further BSNL will get more experienced executives with higher educational qualifications. There is nothing negative, but its approval will create positivity and give opportunity to BSNL Executives for higher studies and better contribution to BSNL. After elaborate discussions, CMD BSNL added this proposal already approved by the Management Committee, will be put up for approval of BSNL Board in its next Meeting which will be held shortly and asked Director HR to ensure to submit it in the next meeting of BSNL Board for approval.
Review of SET Recruitment process: We once again requested for cancellation of ongoing SET recruitment Process from outside market and give due consideration of Internal talent available in BSNL. We added that SNEA has already submitted detailed representation, but the action from BSNL management is awaited. We also added that the young engineers are filling up forms and paying money which is nonrefundable and hence there is need of immediate action for stopping SET recruitment process and giving opportunity to internal talent of BSNL. CMD BSNL informed that this is started by DoT as a succession plan for ITS officers on deputation and BSNL has not initiated any such proposal. He added that the proposal is being reviewed as per feedback and suggestions of Association but the SET Recruitment Process cannot be stopped and dates will be extended further till the issues are not resolved. He asked why the association is opposing it as only about 100 SET recruitment is going to happen and stressed that there is a need for some executives from the open Market. We responded that when ample talent is available in BSNL as required by BSNL then why management and DoT is insisting only for External SET needs to be clarified. We once again clarified that this SET Recruitment will not meet the needs of the succession plan as proposed by the PMO and MoC Office as being projected. CMD informed that this issue is being reviewed and accordingly dates are being extended. He asked Director HR for early action on the concern expressed by SNEA and how to be prepared for a succession plan as desired by the Government to meet shortages at GM/PGM level in BSNL.
Conversion of SPS to NPS: We have drawn attention of CMD BSNL on this issue and return of the proposal from the Management Committee. CMD BSNL informed that proposal was discussed in MC but the same could not be approved as members have raised some concern. Director HR updated that MC has issues in continuation of both the options of SPS as well as NPS and there is no consent from Associations/ Unions. We have added that this issue was discussed in the meeting and all the Unions and Associations have agreed for the same. It was informed that these are suggestions and no clear consent is available. We explained that as the benefits of NPS are more, the chances of shifting the majority of executives to NPS are more and there is demand from many executives to go ahead with NPS. Further this changeover will reduce the burden of BSNL as entire administrative works will be between members and Fund Manager LICPFL. After elaborate discussions, CMD BSNL directed us to give a fresh proposal with all these details and instructed Director HR to have a positive look at the submissions to make a conclusive decision on it.
Avoiding Mass Rotational Transfers and limiting it to the need basis administrative Requirement of BSNL: We requested not to issue any mass long stay transfers as it has adverse impact on BSNL working and also creates hardship for the executives. CMD BSNL informed that the same has been stopped since last year and this year also no long stay transfers will be issued, but some transfers as per administrative requirement may be issued, with priority to request transfers.
Consideration of OTP Requests from Tenure and Non-tenure stations: We narrated the unrest among the executives due to non-consideration of OTP requests uniformly and transparently during last year and mainly unrest among the SDEs/AGMs who followed long stay transfers but their request was not given consideration even after completion of two years but request of other executives were given consideration. We also narrated that some executives are waiting for consideration of OTP Requests for last two years and it was expected that OTP transfer orders will be issued by end of March 2026 or at least by first week of April 2026, but till nothing has been done on issuing OTP Requests including the requests from Tenure stations. The Tenure transfer orders which was quarterly matter, but the same has been kept on hold for the last nine months and many executives are held up at tenure stations, even after completion of due tenure for no mistake on their part.
CMD BSNL informed that OTP requests are under consideration and issues are being sorted out by PGM Pers & Director HR for consideration of all possible OTP requests. He added that it is not possible to consider all requests but maximum OTP requests will be given consideration.
We brought to notice of CMD BSNL the difficulties and hardship faced by the executives transferred under long stay transfers and elaborated how these transfers are possible even with one to one transfer or to meet shortages in requested Circles. We specially requested to consider all requests of these SDEs/AGMs who were transferred under long stay transfers and now waiting for their return back to home/Choice Circle. CMD BSNL directed Director HR for positive consideration of the same.
We pointed out that in last year transfers many discrepancies were noted as some executives with stay less than two years also got Request Transfer and some with stay more than four years from and to the same Circles were not given consideration. Many executives with age barred criteria, with less stay and not in long stay were transfers and CMD BSNL responded that all these issues are being taken care of by Director HR and he will definitely take care of all such issues this year. When we insisted for consideration of OTP Request with top most priority as many are waiting for it, CMD BSNL informed that immediate consideration is difficult but firmly assured that OTP requests will be given consideration in this April month itself.
Change of designation of Executives with EPP 2007 or Change of designation of JTO/JAO: We narrated that many executives are eligible for different promotions and waiting for their turn for years together, but due to shortage of the vacancies and also due to litigations in different courts the promotions orders are not being issued. There are chances that even after clearance of the court cases, the promotions of many executives may not be possible and hence there is need of methodology for promotions or at least change the designations as per the TBP promotions as per EPP 2007. CMD BSNL responded that efforts are being made for issuing all possible promotions and he is hopeful for resolution of issues and getting promotion orders issued. He added that at this stage change of designations is not possible. He once again stressed the need for efforts on part of the association to reduce the court cases so that regular promotions can be issued. We narrated that many JTOs/JAOs are fed up with continued Junior word in their designation as many are working with this Junior designation and facing embarrassment in society as well as in family. Further, these executives do not get a positive response for office work from other offices at the local level due to this junior word in their designation and this is affecting the working of BSNL. Hence there is need to remove this junior word either by SDE promotions of all eligible JTOs or by changing the designation of JTOs/JAOs cadres as whole. We added that an order is already issued for change of designation of JTO in Corporate Office as Asst Manager (AM) and designation of SDE as Deputy Manager (DM) and requested for extension of the same order to all JTOs/JAOs in the field units. CMD BSNL appreciated this proposal and instructed Director HR to look into this suggestion and to ascertain possibilities of its implementation.
JTO to SDE Civil/Electrical promotions: We narrated that these long awaited SDE promotions of JTOs in the civil wing waiting for the first time in 27 years of their services are not given consideration on priority and file is being shunted from one unit to another for the last six months. We narrated that DPC for SDE Civil wing promotions was held before the end of March 2026 and DPC for JTO to SDE Electrical wing was under consideration for the last fortnight, but the same is moving at tortoise speed and after repeated assurances the orders are not issued till date. We requested a serious approach for JTO to SDE promotions in Civil as well as Electrical wing without further delay. We also added that we are continuously pursuing, but till certain officers are not giving this work priority and order is not issued for last two months.CMD BSNL agreed to our concern and directed Director HR to look into it and ensure that promotion orders for JTO to SDE Civil as well as Electrical are issued without further delay. He requested us for some more patience and assured for early promotion orders.
DPC for JTO to SDE Telecom Promotions under PwBD category: We updated that all the relevant information and documents as called from Circles are received by DPC section BSNL CO before six months, but since then no initiatives have been taken to conduct DPC and issue this long awaited promotion order. CMD asked Director HR about status, he informed that DPC is due and the process for holding DPC will be initiated soon. CMD BSNL informed Director HR that all possible promotion orders including this promotion of JTO to SDE Telecom for PwBD candidates may be issued at the earliest. On further queries, he firmly assured us for consideration of all possible promotions as early as possible.
Settlement of issues at CHTD and TN Circle: We reminded CMD BSNL that after his repeated assurances Shri Parthiban CGM TN/CHTD has not cleared the issues created by him and expressed displeasure that he was allowed to retire by Management without resolving these issues. CMD BSNL responded that he was informed by Shri Partibhan that he has considered appeal cases before retirement. We narrated that though files were pending with him in the last week of his retirement and some positive steps were taken in this direction, Shri Parthiban has not taken any action on it and he continued with a vindictive attitude till the last date of his retirement. CMD BSNL informed that issues are discussed and decided but if not settled then it will be looked into fresh by New CGMs. He instructed director HR to talk to both the CGMs and see that issues are resolved without further delay.
Allotment of Residential accommodation to SNEA CHQ: We have narrated issue and updated how due to lack of clarity and missing deliberations of the committee constituted for the same for last one year, the residential accommodation is not allotted to Recognized Majority Representative Association and other non-recognized Unions/Associations with even members less than 100 are enjoying this facility. CMD BSNL informed that issues are in knowledge of Management and Director HR is working on it and assured that shortly SNEA will also get due Residential Accommodation.
This is a partial update on non-financial and general issues and the details of discussions on other HR issues with financial implication and response from Management will be updated by tomorrow.
