The prolonged uncertainty on implementation of enhanced IDA for the last four months is now cleared with DPE issuing new IDA OM for implementation of enhanced IDA w.e.f. 01/04/2026. Copy<<<>>
Implementation of IDA was regular matter in BSNL, but issues created with delay on part of DPE in issuing IDA enhancement order due from 01/01/2026 for want of PSE Survey Report which was missing from many CPSEs, but BSNL has uploaded it on given website of DPE.
The IDA enhancement OM was issued late by DPE and instead of January month it was issued by end of February 2026 Copy<<<>>
This order has following clauses which has held up the process of implementation of enhanced IDA in BSNL
- The copy of this OM was not marked to any PSUs including BSNL and it was marked to the Administrative Ministry.
- Para 5 added by DPE asking for approval of the administrative ministry for implementation of IDA by confirming financial viability.
We have also taken up this issue of para 5 and difficulties faced by PSUs in implementation of this conditional order and we were assured to issue IDA OM of April 2026 by removing para 5 and with DPE and last two months, we were pursuing for issuing corrigendum to OM dated 27/02/2026.
In DoT, no unit was dealing with IDA issue as it was matter of different PSUs but due to para 5 conditions, DoT was forcefully involved and as expected with all deliberations, DoT has not conveyed approval for implementation of enhanced IDA w.e.f. 01/01/2026.
For implementation of the OM dated 27/02/2026 for enhanced IDA in BSNL and other PSUs under DoT, the OM was marked by DPE to DoT and further DoT also has sent this order to BSNL for necessary action.
But, instead of implementing OM for enhanced IDA w.e.f. 01/01/2026, BSNL has referred the same back to DoT asking clarification about para 5. Then DoT was of the opinion, when the letter is sent to BSNL for necessary action and it was supposed that BSNL has to implement it, then why BSNL has not acted and why clarification is asked form DoT.
BSNL has responded for confirmation and report about the fulfillment of conditions as mentioned under para 5 in the fastest speed, but thereafter the issue was shunting in file in DoT.
Then DoT has asked for confirmation and report about the fulfillment of conditions as mentioned under para 5 of this IDA OM dated 27/02/2026 and the same was confirmed by BSNL.
As similar queries were raised by DoT with other PSUs viz. MTNL, BBNL, ITI, TCIL and CCA offices and this process took time. Finally, in the last week, the proposal was processed for approval of competent authority and the same is still awaited.
Meantime, taking note of undue delay for approval of DoT, All Unions and Associations of BSNL has given agitational call for LHD on 10/04/2026, Wearing black badges on 15/04/2026, Twitter campaign on 26/04/2026 and till issue is not resolved by DoT as till approval for payment of enhanced IDA w.e.f. 01/01/2026 is not conveyed by DoT.
When the approval was not conveyed by DoT for a long time, Shri. V. K. Tomar, GS MEA/ Chairman NCOA and Shri. M. S. Adasul, GS SNEA/ President NCOA visited DPE and had meeting with Joint Director DPE & Economic Advisor DPE and brought to their notice the hardship faced by BSNL, MTNL and other PSUs under DoT in implementation of enhanced IDA w. e. f. 01/01/2026.
We once again requested for clearing issues faced due to para 5 of IDA OM dated 27/02/2026 and removal of para 5 and marking the copies of IDA OM to the CMDs of all PSUs.
Removal of para 5 and marking of copies to all PSUs, was agreed for the new OM to be issued for April 2026, but the corrigendum for OM dated 27/02/2026 was not agreed stating that this has been implemented in all PSUs other than PSUs under DoT. But we were informed that concerned officers in DoT are updated on this issue and further any specific issue reported from DoT, will be clarified as and when asked.
Finally, our request has been given consideration and this order for IDA enhancement w.e.f. 01/04/2026 is issued by removal of para 5 which has been major hurdle in implementation of IDA enhanced from 01/01/2026 and important point is that this IDA OM is marked to all PSUs and its copy has been directly received by BSNL.
About the pending IDA enhancement implementation w.e.f. 01/01/2026, SNEA raised concern about undue delay by DoT in approval of IDA implementation and unrest among the BSNL workforce in the welcome meeting on 27/04/2026 with Shri. K. Balaji, who has recently taken over the charge of Joint Secretary Admn DoT. He informed that implementation of IDA in BSNL is a priority issue for DoT and it is being taken care of and some left out issues will be resolved and formal approval of DoT will be conveyed shortly.
Then in the evening hours of 27/04/2026, we met Shri. A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD BSNL and conveyed thanks for his intervention for clearing the issue related to implementation of enhanced IDA and requested for implementation of enhanced IDA payment with arrears from January 2026 to April 2026 in the salary of April 2026. CMD BSNL informed that he is in touch with DoT and was optimistic for receipt of approval from DoT and assured for the enhanced IDA payments with arrears in salary of May 2026.
As such, now enhanced IDA w.e.f. 01/01/2026 with four months arrears with enhanced IDA w.e.f. 01/04/2026 with arrears of April 2026 will be implemented in the Salary/ Pension of May 2026.
SNEA conveys sincere thanks and gratitude to all the Officers in DPE/DOT and BSNL including officers in Estt and Pay section of BSNL for their support is resolution of this man made issue.
SNEA conveys sincere thanks and gratitude to all CS, CHQ OBs, DSs COBs/DOBs and activists of AUAB in general and SNEA in particular for their active involvement in the agitational call. This was the trailer of our activities & preparations on Social Media in general and Twitter in particular. Unity is our strength and such united efforts from the platform of All Unions and Associations will be helpful for resolution of our major issues like Upgraded Standard Pay Scales, Third PRC implementation and constitution of 4th PRC.
Once again thanks to one and all for such a united effort regardless of Union and Association membership.
