The executive associations of BSNL SNEA, AIGETOA, SEWA, and AIBSNLEA collectively and with unified voice stand against the recently issued notification for the recruitment of Senior Executive Trainee (SET) in Telecom and Finance streams at the E3 pay scale. A joint letter submitted to the CMD BSNL, demanding immediate withdrawal of the notification and highlighting the widespread resentment among serving executives.

Click here for Joint Letter Submitted to CMD BSNL

The associations have expressed deep anguish and objection over the unilateral decision of the BSNL management to recruit SETs through an open lateral intake without consulting the recognized associations, in violation of the REA Rules 2014.

The Associations Strongly Objected and Pointed Out:

1] Complete Disregard for Internal Talent by BSNL: The SET recruitment ignores thousands of qualified and experienced executives already serving in BSNL who possess the same or higher qualifications and have 10–27 years of relevant experience.

2] Stagnation and Lack of Career Progression: Since BSNL’s inception, executives recruited through competitive processes like GATE and internal upgradations have largely remained in the same grade for 8 to 27 years without meaningful promotions.

3] Demoralizing the Existing Workforce: Bringing in fresh graduates at E3 pay scale without the required experience and placing them above serving JTOs/JAOs and other officers is seen as unjust and demotivating.

4] Ignoring Repeated Representations: This is not the first time such unilateral decisions have been made. Previous requests to prioritize internal promotions and fill key management roles through existing executives have gone unheeded.

5] Biased HR practices: The association highlights past examples such as the discriminatory handling of DR DGM recruitment, where similarly placed BSNL executives were sidelined in favour of external entrants.

6] Direct recruitment of freshers at higher level than JTO/JAO, while ignoring deserving internal talent and unresolved HR/financial grievances, is unjust, erodes executive trust, and impairs organizational effectiveness.

Demand:

1] Immediate withdrawal of the SET recruitment notification and stop any lateral entry in BSNL as being followed in other PSUs.

2] If any fresh recruitment is to be done then the same should be done in the cadres of JEs and JTOs/JAOs who are backbone of the BSNL. We also demand that instead of having bulk recruitment at JTO/JAOs, BSNL should recruit JTOs/JAOs/JEs every year and it should be regular yearly process.

3] f required, for filling vacant post of GM/PGM level in BSNL, a separate methodology and process may be defined to fill these posts from all the serving executives of BSNL.

4] Stop pick and choose applicability of Rules in BSNL and decide on applicability of rules to BSNL i.e. rules applicable to PSU or rules applicable to Government Services and please apply these rules uniformly for resolution of all issues of BSNL

5] Immediate action for Promotions of BSNL executives waiting for their first promotion. All the executives who have completed the residency in the grade must be extended promotions to the next level without any delay as jointly submitted by us.

6] Discuss the issue of shortage of Officers required at BSNL Managerial Position and to frame a methodology to fill vacant posts as followed in PSUs. 

7] Immediate resolution of the long-pending financial issues including implementation of 3^rd PRC, extension of E2 scales for JTO/JAO Equivalent, 30 Percent Contribution to Superannuation Benefits, Revision in TA/DA/ Transport allowances, restoration of previous Medical Reimbursement Limits.

8] The other perks and allowances of serving executives which are presently freezed by quoting financial condition of BSNL should be immediately released.

9] As the freeze on external recruitment is removed, immediate start of Compassionate Ground Appointment with consideration of the dependents of all the executives who left for their heavenly abode in all these years.

We urge the management to reconsider and act in the best interests of both the Executives and the organization. There is huge unrest in BSNL executives because of such unilateral actions by BSNL and it will be difficult to control the emotions of executives if management continues to deny the rightful dues and continues to engage in such unilateral actions. In such scenario, the responsibility of any industrial unrest will lie solely on Management.

BDM writes to Hon’ble MoC for implementation of 3rd PRC in BSNL by waiving of the affordability clause in view of the continued upsurge in financial performance and BSNL’s successful role in development of Swadeshi 4G Stack.

Click here for the Letter

BDM has submitted the following salient points for consideration of implementation of 3^rd PRC for BSNL by doing away the affordability clause:

1] Involvement of BSNL in successful development of Swadeshi 4G (5G ready) technology making Bharat only the fifth country have its own End-to-end indigenous 4G stack. Making India Atmanirbhar in all domains is the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister and we take pride in being part of this divine initiative. 

2] BSNL has Strategic, Social & Economic Relevance in Telecom Sector and is rendering telecom services in a fiercely competitive market dominated by large Private Sector Telecom Service Providers. Its main role are as follows:

• It addresses market imperfections in telecom sector;
• It is functioning as a reference point for getting more reliable information for the sector regulator;
• It is working as tariff balancer so as to ensure availability of reliable and affordable telecom service to the masses;
• It is providing telecom services in the uneconomic, unviable, rural, far flung areas and difficult hilly terrains;
• It plays vital role in providing connectivity during emergencies, natural calamities, war like situation etc. The recent examples being – providing the uninterrupted telecom services during the recent tense geopolitical situation at Border Areas and Covid-19 Pandemic.

3] BSNL is executing Government Projects of national importance like Bharat-Net, Network for Spectrum, LWE Areas Project and Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for NE States, etc.

4] BSNL has been identified as ‘Strategic Sector’ CPSU in Telecom Domain, due to reasons mentioned above.

5] The financial position of BSNL has been on rising trend due to the continuous support and various initiatives taken by the Government of India under the active guidance of your good self and also because of the firm commitment shown by the employees of BSNL to fulfil these visionary objectives. This is very much visible from the recent statistics of BSNL as mentioned below:

Revenue statement (in Crores) for the last few years is as follows:

While seeking the options for absorption in BSNL, Government gave the Erstwhile DoT employees assurances for better prospects. Had they not opted for absorption, they would have got the benefits of 7th CPC and now will get 8^th CPC. Unabsorbed Government officers deployed in BSNL have already been granted the benefit of 7th CPC w.e.f. 01.01.2016 and they shall be now getting the 8^th CPC also without any linkage to Profitability of BSNL.

It will be pertinent to mention that almost all of these unabsorbed employees getting the 7^th CPC benefits have been working in BSNL only ever since BSNL was formed. Even they are being promoted against the vacant Posts of BSNL. It is our submission that the regular employees of BSNL should not face the financial loss just because they chose to obey the directions of the government. This disparity has been highlighted by the Hon’ble Parliamentary Committee of Public Sector Undertakings (COPU) with a recommendation to resolve this disparity to DOT/BSNL in its 6^th Report submitted before 18^th Loksabha.   

It is submitted that to make turnaround of a non-profitable CPSU working in stiff competition needs more motivated employees than an organization already running in profit in a lesser competitive market. Apart from above it is also worth mentioning that to remain vibrant and add to its competitive edge, BSNL has recruited about 36,000 employees with Technical and Professional qualifications. Pay revision is imperative to retain and motivate this young talent.

We would also like to submit the Recommendations of the 3rd PRC (Para 5 of the Executive Summary) wherein the committee has recommended that affordability conditions shall not be applicable to such CPSEs which are formed to perform specific agenda of the Govt. BSNL was formed in pursuance of specific agenda of the Govt of India to meet the objectives of the National Telecom Policy 1999. Therefore, the condition of affordability should not have been insisted in case of BSNL.

AIGETOA proudly shares that the CMD BSNL launched the “BOOK FIBER” Portal on 22nd October 2025 in the presence of CGM BBNW and PGM NOC BBNW. The portal has been entirely developed in-house by the dedicated BBNW Bangalore team.

The project was ably led by Shri Ratna Raju, SDE (Web Development), with backend support from Shri Kartheek Kallagunta, SDE, and web hosting support from Shri Vijay Dasi, SDE, Smt. Deepa S, SDE, Shri Kartheek, JTO, Smt. Monika, JTO, and Shri Manik Prabhu, JTO, under the valuable guidance of Shri Sushil Fale, AGM.

This milestone is a moment of great pride for AIGETOA as the entire core development team comprises committed AIGETOA members who have showcased the true spirit of innovation and dedication.

The ‘BOOK FIBER’ Portal enables customers to seamlessly book an FTTH connection online in just a few clicks. Once the customer completes Self-KYC and other required formalities, a work order is automatically generated in the ITPC system. Integration with ITPC systems across all zones has been successfully accomplished with the active support of ITPC teams.

As a token of recognition and appreciation, the Office Bearers and Staff of BBNW Bangalore, led by CS AIGETOA Karnataka, felicitated the team for their exemplary efforts and outstanding contribution.

AIGETOA extends heartfelt congratulations to the entire team for their remarkable accomplishment and untiring efforts in developing this customer-centric innovation.

The DPE issued the office memorandum for Revision of Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) Rates for Executives holding Board Level and below Board Level posts and Non-Unionized Supervisors of CPSEs with effect from 01.10.2025.

Click here for Order

AIGETOA joins the nation in observing Vigilance Awareness Week 2025, being held from 27th October to 2nd November 2025, under the directives of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

This year’s theme, “Vigilance – Our Shared Responsibility,” highlights the collective role of every citizen and employee in building a transparent, accountable and corruption-free organization.

Messages from the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) and CMD BSNL emphasize that integrity and ethical conduct are not just administrative requirements but core values essential to sustaining public trust and ensuring good governance.

Vigilance is not confined to a single department, it is a shared responsibility that requires proactive participation at every level. Adherence to transparency, technology-driven processes, and preventive vigilance measures form the backbone of this effort.

AIGETOA reaffirms its commitment to these values and encourages all executives to actively participate in activities being organized across circles during this week, pledging to promote transparency and ethical conduct in all spheres of work.

👉 Read Message from CVO, BSNL

👉 Read Message from CMD, BSNL

BSNL Corporate Office has constituted a Committee to examine the proposal for introduction of the National Pension System (NPS) for BSNL recruited employees in lieu of the existing Superannuation Pension Fund (SPF) currently managed by LIC of India.

The Committee has circulated relevant documents received from LIC Pension Fund Limited and HDFC Pension Fund Management Limited outlining the salient features, investment structure, and comparative benefits of NPS.

The letter issued by BSNL Establishment Branch (File No. BSNLCO-A/11(11)/12/2025-ESTAB, dated 16.10.2025) seeks opinions and inputs from all Recognized Associations and Unions, including AIGETOA, before finalizing the recommendations on the proposal.

As per the communication, associations have been requested to submit their inputs by 22nd October 2025.

Click here for letter by BSNL for Committee formation

Click here for LIC PLF

Click here for NPS

Click here for HDFC PF

AIGETOA will study the proposal in detail, analyze the implications for BSNL executives, and submit its considered opinion to safeguard the interests of the employees. The association remains committed to ensuring that any change in the pension or retirement framework protects the social security, assured returns, and post-retirement stability of BSNL recruits.

Today (14-10-2025), Shri G Veerabhadra Rao, All India President of AIGETOA, met Shri N Chandrababu Naidu, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and requested his kind help in resolving the long-pending issues of BSNL employees. The AIP submitted a memorandum to Shri Naidu, seeking his kind intervention with the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Minister of Communications in directing BSNL and DoT to settle the following issues. We humbly requested his kind self to recommend to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Hon’ble Minister of Communications for his kind intervention and consideration of the following:

• Implementation of the 3rd Pay Revision (3rd PRC) in BSNL by granting a waiver of the affordability clause, in recognition of the selfless contribution of BSNL employees towards nation-building and achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat in Telecom.
• Early resolution of long-pending HR and pay parity issues by the Department of Telecommunications and BSNL Management, ensuring justice, motivation, and parity among all cadres.
• Action on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) regarding BSNL’s operational and viability matters.

While the Government of India, under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, has taken several positive initiatives for BSNL’s revival, its employees continue to await long-overdue justice in respect of HR and pay-related issues. The “affordability clause” cited as a hurdle has lost its relevance now, considering BSNL’s improved financial condition achieved through the Government’s revival packages and the tireless efforts of its employees.

BSNL, being a strategic Public Sector Undertaking entrusted with national projects like BharatNet and Swadeshi Mobile Technology Development, rightfully deserves a waiver of the affordability clause under the DPE provisions applicable to PSUs engaged in non-commercial, national service.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister assured to look into the issues and stated that he will discuss them with the Minister of State for Communications. After taking feedback, the same shall be escalated to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Minister of Communications.

Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM) writes to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji extending the gratitude for the motivational words recognizing the efforts of employees of BSNL on its 25th Anniversary with a request for Blessing BSNL Employees with Implementation of 3rd PRC and Resolution of Long-Pending HR Issues.

Click here for Letter

BDM highlighted that the implementation of Swadeshi 4G technology, in which the consistent hard work of BSNL employees has played a major role, clearly signifies the strategic and national importance of BSNL. BSNL remains the only operator dedicated to fulfil the telecom objectives of Government in terms of bridging the digital divide between rural and urban India. The 3^rd PRC recommendations contain the affordability waiver for the PSUs/Organizations involved in works of specific nature with non-profit agenda. BSNL also needs to be placed in same category given its involvement in the development of Swadeshi Mobile Technology forming a strong pillar for an Atmanirbhar Bharat in Telecom Domain and its involvement in carrying forward the telecom dreams of nation. In this context, we earnestly request for the waiver of the affordability clause for the central PSU BSNL to ensure justice and parity for BSNL employees – The unsung telecom Warriors of the nation.

Bhartiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM) requested :

1] For implementation of the 3rd PRC in BSNL by granting waiver of the affordability clause, thereby recognizing the selfless contribution of BSNL employees in making India Atmanirbhar in Telecom, building the nation’s digital backbone and bridging the digital divide between rural and urban India.

2] For Directing the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and BSNL management to address the long-pending HR and pay parity issues, ensuring motivation, retention, and fairness among all cadres.

May the victory of Lord Rama inspire us to conquer all challenges, eliminate the obstacles (like darkness/evil) within our work & organization, and pave the path for success and prosperity for all BSNL executives.

Happy Vijayadashami!

His timeless principles of Truth, Non-Violence, and selfless Service to the Nation remain our guiding light. We, the executives of BSNL, reaffirm our commitment to dedicated work for a stronger, self-reliant, Digital India.

Let’s uphold Bapu’s legacy in every step toward corporate and national excellence.

Jai Hind!