In continuation of the discussions held with BSNL management yesterday, another meeting was held today on 3rd Feb 2026. The meeting was attended by Director (HR), PGM (Legal), PGM (Pers) and PGM (Recruitment) from the management side, and GS, AIP and AGS-II from the AIGETOA side.
The meeting lasted for nearly one and a half hours. However, the management’s stand on proceeding with the SET Recruitment remained unchanged. On the issue of extending promotions to all executives to bring them at par with SET recruits, management stated that the proposal submitted by AIGETOA is under examination, but it will take time.
We categorically reiterated that till all existing executives are brought to a functional level higher than SET recruits, AIGETOA will not allow the SET Recruitment to take place. We also conveyed clearly that an organisational action programme shall be launched, either jointly or individually. It is now for the management to decide whether they want executives to remain in the War Room for performing duties, or in the War Room for abstaining from duties.
Management advised patience and assured that they are working on the concerns raised by AIGETOA. We responded that the same patience should have been exercised by management instead of unnecessarily pushing executives into a state of unrest by initiating this recruitment process.
It is further surprising that GATE, which is the accepted benchmark for recruitment across all PSUs, is being undermined. Management appears to be considering candidates selected through a private agency as superior to GATE-qualified executives already serving in BSNL. We also clarified the misconception that BSNL recruited JTOs with low GATE scores. In reality, hundreds of JTOs recruited through GATE possess percentile scores in the range of 90–99.
Neglecting such qualified and experienced executives, and preferring external candidates with no experience and no GATE score, is deeply regretful. We made it clear that this kind of demeaning approach towards the qualifications, experience, and dedication of BSNL executives cannot be accepted silently.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Director (HR) informed that management would give a final response tomorrow regarding the way forward. We clearly stated that if management decides to proceed with the recruitment process, AIGETOA will move ahead with organisational action programmes.
Dear Friends,
From today’s discussion, it is amply clear that management is reluctant to stop the recruitment process and is seeking time to examine our proposals, citing financial and other constraints. Based on our experience with last year’s so-called “HR Month”, we cannot rely on hollow assurances without firm and visible action.
Therefore, all must begin mobilising the rank and file at every level to give a strong and united response against such negating actions, and also in pursuit of resolution of long-pending financial issues including the 3rd PRC.
Discussions on joint programmes have already been held with other unions and associations, and there is unanimity on the need for a joint struggle. The next course of action will be informed after further deliberations.
One thing is clear: either jointly or individually, AIGETOA is moving ahead.