The high level delegation consisting Shri. M. S. Adasul, General Secretary SNEA, Shri. N.D. Ram, General Secretary SEWA, Mrs. Anu Agarwal, Circle President SNEA BSNL CO and Shri. Balvant Singh, Asst District Secretary SNEA Manali had the honour of meeting with Respected Shri. J. P Nadda ji, Honourable Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Chemicals & Fertilisers and National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party at his Office at Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi on 07/04/2025.
The delegation expressed sincere gratitude to Respected Shri Nadda ji and the Government of India led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for the unwavering support extended to BSNL through revival packages and by giving time to time support by assigning different projects all over India.
Honourable Shri. Nadda ji, acknowledged critical contribution by BSNL to the growth of Indian Telecom Sector and mainly to the Digital India Mission. He emphasized that projects like Manufacturing Indigenous Mobile Equipment and the 4G Saturation Project are flagship initiatives of the Government and praised the pivotal role played by BSNL in the execution of these dream projects.
We submitted that till now the Government of India has given huge revival packages and it has largely supported BSNL. With such strong support, BSNL is providing Telecom services in rural areas without looking into loss or profit as this is the mission of the Government of India. BSNL has been at the forefront in completing different projects of Government of India for Telecom services in rural areas, where there is no chance of profit for BSNL. Even with such odd conditions, with such active support of the Government, the BSNL is moving towards profit making PSU and it has recorded quarterly net profit after 17 years of long gap. Honourable Minister Shri. J. P. Nadda ji appreciated efforts by BSNL and expressed pleasure over the turnaround of BSNL.
The delegation reiterated commitment of BSNL and its executives to the vision and mission of Government and highlighted efforts being made by BSNL in providing Telecom and data services across the country, including that to non-profitable rural areas. We proudly shared that BSNL has recorded a quarterly net profit after 17 years and conveyed thanks for the continued support by the Government of India.
However, the delegation also brought attention to the long-pending issue of Third Pay Revision for BSNL Executives, which has not been implemented since 2017. We explained that despite the revival of BSNL to a better extent, the employees have not received proportional benefits, and all continue to work on pay scales from 2007 and others on deputation to BSNL are getting benefits of Pay revision. We submitted that the Department of Public Enterprises had already recommended the waiver of the affordability clause in 2020, and the proposal has since been awaiting action from the DoT.
We submitted that workforce of organisation is important and Government of India has been kind enough to support this genuine issue as DPE has given guidelines to get approval of Cabinet for waiver of affordability clause in year 2020 and since then the proposal is waiting further course of action by DoT, which is not seen in last four-five years.
We also narrated the disparity being followed in BSNL in granting benefits of Pay revision and how this discrimination has caused loss to BSNL and its executives.
The delegation highlighted the recommendations for this revision from multiple stakeholders, including the Third Pay Revision Committee with special provision for PSUs contributing to Government Projects and missions, the Parliamentary Committee for bringing parity among the workforce in BSNL, the Department of Expenditure for waiver of affordability clause, and the BSNL Management with recommendation of 15% Fitment formula.
Honourable Shri Nadda ji gave a patient and sympathetic hearing to the delegation’s concerns and assured them of his full support. He firmly assured to take up the matter at the appropriate level and also with the Minister of Communications for expediting early resolution of the Third Pay Revision issue.
In conclusion, Respected Shri Nadda ji encouraged us to direct BSNL Executives to put their continued efforts in delivering quality telecom and data services nationwide and affirmed to follow up on the pay revision matter. We conveyed sincere thanks and gratitude to the Honourable Minister and National President Bharatiya Janata Party for giving us valuable time, guidance thereof and for extending support for settlement of genuine issue of Third Pay Revision.
We submitted a formal representation cum request to Respected Shri, Nadda ji for kind intervention for grant of Third Pay Revision for BSNL Executives. Copy<<<>>
Respected Shri Nadda ji was kind enough to give us time of 15 minutes to discuss the issues and has personally gone through the submission and as an immediate action on our request, the same is forwarded to the Respected Minister of Communications, Government of India. Copy<<<>>
It is understood that this representation and further follow-up will be undertaken to seek Cabinet approval for waiver of the affordability clause and ensure justice for BSNL executives and employees. Hope for the best.
