A delegation of SNEA comprising Shri. M. S. Adasul, GS SNEA CHQ, Ms. Anu Agrawal, CS SNEA BSNL CO and Ms. Shubhra Purwar, OS SNEA BSNL CO had a meeting with Shri. K. Balaji, Respected Joint Secretary (Admin) DoT in his office at Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi on 27/04/2026 at 1215 Hrs.
At the outset, the delegation warmly welcomed Shri K. Balaji, on assuming charge as Joint Secretary (Admin), DoT, and conveyed best wishes for his successful tenure. A bouquet was presented as a gesture of goodwill. The delegation assured full cooperation from SNEA on matters concerning the growth and development of BSNL and requested expeditious resolution of long-pending genuine grievances of BSNL executives awaiting DoT approval.
In response, the Joint Secretary (Admin) accepted our wishes and conveyed thanks for the good gesture. Joint Secretary (Admin) added that he has joined office recently and is looking into different issues and assured of all possible support to BSNL and its executives to resolve the issues of BSNL.
We have discussed certain important points related to growth and development of BSNL viz working of 4G services, support of Govt to BSNL, efforts by BSNL to meet the expectations of the Government as strategic partner etc.
We discussed in brief the urgent need for resolution of certain critical HR issues of BSNL Executives and requested for his kind support for early resolution of these issues in order to boost the morale of the executives of BSNL. The details of discussions on HR issues are as follows:
Undue delay by DoT in approval of enhanced IDA Payments: We elaborated that the recent issue of IDA enhancement and how this routine and non-issue is made issue by miscommunication between BSNL, DoT and DPE is classic example of typical red tape approach. We added that due to the prolonged delay of four months in deciding IDA enhancement by DoT & BSNL, the executives in BSNL are feeling cheated and frustrated. We shared that DoT and BSNL management are expecting highest output with fastest speed in present odd circumstances in office works and while it is turn of resolving routine and simple HR issues like IDA enhancement are being handled in casual approach and this is reason for mass unrest among executives. We narrated story behind restrictions by DPE in enhanced IDA payment and how DPE will be clearing this issue by restoration of IDA announcement and payment procedure and also how para 5 will be removed from the IDA orders w.e.f. April 2026 and requested for early approval of DoT for the same which is pending for last fortnight. Joint Secretary (Admin) informed that though he has recently taken over charge, he is aware of this IDA issue and his office is already working on it. He added that this IDA payment is the issue of the topmost priority and assured that whatever may be hurdles, the same will be taken care of and the issue of enhanced IDA payment will be resolved shortly. We requested a final call on it so that at least the IDA delayed for the last four months is paid in salary/pension of May 2026. Joint Secretary (Admin) assured that it will be settled before that and no need to worry.
Upgraded Standard Pay Scales for affected JTOs/JAOs: We requested for kind intervention in the issue of resolution of Standard Pay Scale affecting about 50 % working strength of BSNL Executives and thus leading to demotivation of important work force leading BSNL at field level at key positions in BSNL. We added that these are the executives going to serve BSNL in the coming days, there is an urgent need to resolve this long pending issue.
We elaborated the complications aroused from the presidential order 28/03/2017, why the same is not implemented by BSNL, how only clauses are framed for showing the payment made to executives other than affected executives, how nothing has been mentioned about affected executives of BSNL making this Presidential order fruitless and how review by DoT as per request of BSNL is undecided for the last eight years and how it is affecting on overall working of BSNL. By elaborating all facts, we requested for his kind intervention for approval of DoT for upgraded standard Pay scales for affected executives in BSNL. We humbly requested to resolve this issue with topmost priority and give relief to affected executives.
Joint Secretary (Admin) DoT made some specific queries on this issue which we replied satisfactorily and with factual positions. We gave a detailed booklet on this subject matter with annexures. In conclusion, the Joint Secretary (Admin) shared that with our submission he has got an idea about the issue and its intensity and assured to look into it by taking updates from his office for further course of action from DoT.
Approval of Third PRC for BSNL Executives and Employees: SNEA emphasized the severe financial hardships being faced by BSNL executives and employees due to the continued delay in implementation of the Third Pay Revision Committee recommendations. We informed that BSNL has sent proposals and reminders including recent approval of BSNL Board for Wage Negotiation Committee for BSNL employees. The delegation pointed out that while DoT continues to focus primarily on the affordability clause, several other supportive provisions and recommendations favouring implementation of the Third PRC in BSNL have not received due consideration. It was further explained that BSNL has been executing various strategic national projects and Government assignments without prioritizing commercial profitability, making the strict application of the affordability clause unjustified. We explained how such selfless efforts & contribution of BSNL to the Government Projects without looking into losses is appreciated by Hon. Prime Minister of India and Honourable Minister of Communication. We added that it has been many times cleared in Parliament on different occasions that employees are not responsible for losses but losses are mainly due to Government policies.
We added that when it is the turn of dues and minimum benefits of executives and employees, then only profit and affordability is added against such clear stand by Honourable Prime Minister of India. We narrated classic examples of how BSNL is facing losses due to policies of Government/DoT and how the workforce is not solely responsible for the ongoing losses.
We elaborated on how thousands of Crores of BSNL are wasted due to policies and how the workforce has been contributing to BSNL in the most difficult circumstances in the Indian Telecom sector. We also shared the clauses of Third Pay Revision Committee report supporting its implementation in BSNL, how Parliamentary committee has recommended for clearing disparity in implementation of third PRC, how BSNL is not allowed to keep focus on only profit as required under affordability clause, how DPE directions for approval of third PRC through cabinet approval is pending action at DoT and so on.
By citing certain examples, we explained that certain Government policy decisions which BSNL has to abide by being PSU, is reasons of losses in the Balance Sheet of BSNL viz. installation of more than One lakh 4G sites at rural/ remote areas with no desired customer base, added losses against depreciation cost, procedural lapses in allotment of spectrum and how BSNL is paying for pan India while other operators are paying spectrum charges only for few circles, allotment of 5G spectrum in 2023 and non-allotment of equipment for the utilization of this spectrum for years together leading heavy loss to BSNL, taking over properties of BSNL by Government without passing any benefits to BSNL, how BSNL is providing services in rural area and remote places without any chance of profit now or in future etc.
After an elaborate submission by us fully justifying the fact that employees and executives are not the reason for the losses, detailed discussions, Shri K. Balaji Joint Secretary (Admin) stated that the proposals submitted by BSNL regarding Third PRC were under examination and that the discussions had provided valuable inputs regarding the affordability clause and assured to explore all possibilities of considering recent proposals from BSNL for implementation of third PRC for executives as well as employees.
HR Management and SET Recruitment: We conveyed thanks for accepting our proposal for having self-management of BSNL in the Silver Jubilee Year by exploring the internal talent of BSNL. We submitted how it has been wrongly projected by BSNL and DoT to the Government that SET recruitment will be a succession plan and this will fill up immediate crises of Managerial positions in BSNL Management. We submitted a copy of SNEA letter on scrapping SET External recruitment, framing/ restoring the MTRRs for scope to ample internal talent with highest experience in telecom sector, how the certain vacant positions can be occupied by senior officers in BSNL etc. We also requested for conforming the recent contradicting guidelines of DoT for having HR management and updated about actual requirement and need of BSNL. After patience hearing to our submission Joint Secretary (Admin) informed that he is not having much details on this issue but assured to go through the feedback of SNEA and take required on this issue.
We also requested for intervention of DoT in resolution of certain long pending but genuine HR issues of BSNL executives with BSNL Management and intervention from DoT for its resolution, Joint Secretary (Admin) informed that he will look into issues to be decided by DoT and issues at BSNL may be discussed with BSNL management and till any issue, then the same can be looked into.
The meeting concluded on a very positive note. SNEA conveyed sincere thanks to Joint Secretary (Admin) for sparing valuable time and patiently hearing the concerns of BSNL executives and for his encouraging and supportive response. Shri K. Balaji, Joint Secretary (Admin) assured the delegation that all issues raised by SNEA would be examined sympathetically and appropriate action would be taken based on the feedback and submissions made during the meeting.
