In line with the call given by Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM), protest demonstrations were held across the country against the issuance of the Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment Notification dated 29.01.2026 by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

The protest was held under the unified banner of BDM, with active participation of executives from all constituent associations. Through these demonstrations, BDM reiterated its strong demand to immediately withdraw the SET recruitment notification and urged the management to focus on resolving long-pending HR issues affecting serving executives.

Click here for the Photographs of Nationwide Protest

Click here for the letter submitted

Click here for the letter submitted against SET Recruitment on 22nd Jan 2026

Dear Friends,

BDM (Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch) is aware of the current situation and the sudden urgency created by management to rise to the occasion and lodge the strong protest. False impression is being created that decision will be reviewed. Director (HR) was very candid in yesterday’s meeting with AIGETOA Team with his expression of inability to hold the process citing instructions from higher offices. We have already seen that wage negotiation committee report has not been placed before Board till date despite committing to approve and send the same by this month. Hence there is no point in remaining in false impression and wait for some magic by Management.

We have to make it amply clear that no executive of BSNL will accept this abuse to their dedication, qualification and experience anymore. We consider it paramount to lodge the immediate protest and accordingly the decision has been taken to register our protest action today itself.

We will Tear (Indoors) or Burn (Outdoors) the recruitment notification in the lunch hours today. A notice for protest action shall be served subsequently on Monday. If management doesn’t stop this process from going further, one day Mass CL will be observed on 16th February 2026 with following demands:

1] Immediate scrapping of SET Recruitment Process.

2] Immediate extension of functional promotions to all the eligible executives.

3] Immediate submission of all the pending committee reports with positive consideration of demands as per assurances made by management from time to time.

4] Creation of War Room for time bound resolution of HR issues including the demand of 3rd PRC.

5] Creation of War Room for Provisioning of proper resources and tools to facilitate smooth O&M along with better quality of service especially for the issues related to 4G and FTTH which is severely impacting the revenue prospects of BSNL.

6] Immediate issuance of transfer orders of the executives who have completed their tenure at the hard, semi hard and soft tenure stations.

We are trying to take all other unions and associations also on board. Based upon the outcome, next course will be announced on Monday. BSNL Management will have to give priority to HR issues and will have to respect the dignity and contribution of the employees of BSNL. We can’t let them ignore it anymore.

Let us all come together cutting across unions and association boundaries for protecting the Dignity, justice and Self-Respect of the fraternity.

Together We Can, Together We Have, Together We Will

Team AIGETOA today visited the SEWA CHQ Office and felicitated the newly elected General Secretary of SEWA, Shri Ashok Patel. The AIGETOA delegation warmly congratulated Shri Patel on his election and conveyed best wished on assuming this important responsibility.

Team AIGETOA represented a bouquet and shawl to Shri Ashok Patel as a mark of respect and goodwill. The interaction took place in a cordial and positive atmosphere, reflecting the long-standing spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between AIGETOA and SEWA.

AIGETOA reiterated the need for unity among associations to collectively raise and resolve long-pending issues of employees and executives in BSNL.

AIGETOA once again congratulates Shri Ashok Patel on assuming the responsibility of General Secretary, SEWA, and work together in the larger interest of BSNL and its employees.

Team AIGETOA attended the scheduled meeting to discuss the Group Term Insurance (GTI) for this year 2026-27.

It was informed that the premium for Executives has been retained at the existing level, whereas the premium for Non-Executives has been increased due to a higher claim ratio.

The following key points were discussed and finalized:

1] Enhancement of Sum Assured for Executives:

It was agreed that the sum assured for Executives will be enhanced to Rs. 1 crore. The proposal will be taken up by BSNL Management in the next policy year.

2] Enhancement of Sum Assured for Non-Executives:

For Non-Executives, the sum assured will be increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh, which will also be considered by BSNL Management in the next policy year.

3] Option for Higher Coverage to Non-Executives:

Non-Executives who are willing to pay a higher premium should be allowed to opt for the existing Rs. 50 lakh GTI policy applicable to Executives.

4] Waiver of GST on Group Term Insurance:

AIGETOA reiterated that GST has already been waived for individual term insurance policies, while it continues to be levied on Group Term Insurance.

It was finalized that BSNL Management will take up the matter with the Ministry of Finance, and the Associations will also actively pursue the issue for GST waiver on GTI.

5] Minimum Insurance Cover for All Employees:

The possibility of providing a minimum sum assured of Rs. 10 lakh to all BSNL employees was discussed. The option will be examined further by BSNL Management.

6] Simplification of GTI Opting Process:

AIGETOA highlighted the confusion faced by employees while opting and continuing GTI. It was demanded that:

• There should be only an option for withdrawal from GTI and modification.

• Employees who are freshly applying should be provided to opt for GTI.

• For existing members who wish to continue, no action should be required, and the policy should be renewed automatically.

The pending MT cases at PCAT, New Delhi, listed today on 28th Jan 2026 for final hearing, same has been adjourned to 5th Feb 2026 for hearing of AIGETOA’s arguments.

Let’s come together as one nation to honor our collective spirit

On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, AIGETOA extends its warmest greetings to the entire fraternity and fellow citizens. Let us renew our pledge to serve the nation with dedication and pride. Jai Hind!

Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM), writes to the CMD Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, seeking urgent intervention over serious technical flaws in the Sanchar Aadhaar (SA) Portal.

Click here for the letter

The non-functioning of the SA Portal is severely impacting customer onboarding and making it impossible for field units to meet mandated targets such as the 36-hour FTTH installation SLA and Zero Backlog policy. Key concerns raised include blocked provisioning due to CAFs not moving from FMS, non-availability of the CFA Sanchar Aadhaar mobile app, payment link failures, delays in number reservation, lack of clarity on handset requirements, and absence of a standard mechanism to retrieve CAF records.

BDM emphasized that employees are being pressured to meet ambitious targets without being provided reliable tools, turning systems into bottlenecks rather than enablers. The forum has urged top priority resolution of these issues by ITPC and concerned verticals to ensure smooth provisioning, protect revenue, and reduce avoidable stress on employees

A meeting of the General Secretaries and representatives of the Unions and Associations was held on 20.01.2026 at the AIGETOA Office, during which all participants expressed satisfaction over the approval of the Wage Agreement in the Management Committee and Remuneration Committee meetings. The forum decided to halt the future course of action for the time being. However, to continue pressure on the management, it was resolved to submit a letter to the CMD, BSNL, urging early recommendation of the Wage Agreement to the DoT, and also seeking settlement of the Chennai–Tamil Nadu issue through the transfer of CGM, Tamil Nadu/Chennai and GM (HR), Chennai & Tamil Nadu. The forum will also attempt to have a courtesy meeting with the newly appointed Secretary, DoT. Further, it was decided to take positive and active efforts to prepare a memorandum for submission to Members of Parliament, requesting them to raise the issue of relaxation of the Affordability Clause in the forthcoming Parliament Session, likely to commence on 1st February 2026. The future course of action will be decided in the next meeting of the Unions and Associations, likely to be held on 03.02.2026 at the SNEA Office, Eastern Court.

BDM submits its strong opposition to the proposed Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment by BSNL in the guise of management succession plan. BDM has categorically submitted that any action to move forward with this recruitment shall result into huge unrest and strong organizational actions including street protests to oppose this move which undermines the dignity of the BSNL Executives.

Click here for the letter

BDM conveys its deep concern, strong dissatisfaction & resentment over the current state of affairs in BSNL which mostly pertains to the prolonged administrative inertia at various levels, declining service standards arising out of policy formulation & execution gaps, and the persistent non-resolution of Long-Pending genuine HR issues affecting BSNL employees.

Click here for the letter

A series of communications, meetings, and assurances were extended by BSNL Management to Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch last year, both with respect to HR issues as well as issues pertaining to BSNL viability. Subsequent to the meeting of BMS delegation led by General Secretary BMS with the Hon’ble Minister of Communications on 17th July 2025, whose timely intervention and assurances were received positively, the forum decided to stop the organizational action programs initiated under the platform of Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch.

However, despite the passage of considerable time, no tangible progress is visible, particularly on HR-related issues. Employees who had shown restraint and reposed faith in the assurances provided, now feel deeply disappointed. BDM has demanded for immediate corrective action, and fixation of accountability for non submission of the committee reports despite a period of nine months getting over. BDM has expressed that such prolonged delays undermine the sincere revival efforts of the Government of India for BSNL, create disillusionment among employees and erode employee and pensioner’s confidence despite the Government’s continued and unprecedented support to BSNL.

It is imperative for the management to recognize that the prolonged decline of BSNL can no longer be attributed solely to the external market conditions. Delayed decision-making, ineffective execution of approved measures, and continued neglect of stakeholder inputs and their issues have significantly contributed to the present situation.

BDM has demanded :

1. Fixation of accountability on committees, sections, or officers responsible for undue delays or non-compliance.
2. Immediate submission and finalization of all pending committee reports related to assured HR and service matters and immediate resolution of the issues.
3. Time-bound implementation of decisions already committed to the BDM.
4. Immediate resolution of issues impeding BSNL’s progress and revenue growth, as repeatedly highlighted and submitted by the Bhartiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM) and its constituents.

We sincerely hope that the Management will act decisively and take concrete steps to restore employee confidence which is currently at its lowest point. However, in the absence of visible and measurable outcomes within a reasonable timeframe, the Bhartiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM) shall be constrained to review its earlier decision and resume organizational action programs from March 2026 onwards, the responsibility for which shall rest entirely with the Management. This has been categorically conveyed to management.

Dear Friends

While the persuasion of AIGETOA and BTEU continues at various levels through various meeting submissions and deliberations, it is pertinent to state that despite all these efforts management has been cold shouldering the issues pertaining to employees in the name of focus on revenue and thrusting the responsibility of the non-performance to the employees as evident in their recent actions . While BDM acknowledges the fact that emphasis of management should be on growth and revival of BSNL but at the same time ignoring the issues of employees and pushing them to the corner can not be ignored either. While we have been searching for the mention of HR issues in recent communications of Management, we could not find it anywhere. This clearly indicates that there will be another series of waiting in the name of focus on revenue and efforts for improving the service and that too without provisioning of resources, tools and funds. Management must not forget that HR is a different vertical specifically handling the issues related to Human Resource. The HR group also need to be given the target for resolution and clearance of the pendencies.

Still at this belated stage, we feel that HR group will realize the gravity of the situation and will come up with the necessary needful action. If the resolution do not come in a fixed stipulated time, BDM will restart its organisational action programs March 2026 Onwards.