A delegation of Associations and Unions representing major telecom units and postal pensioners’ organisations, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), met Hon’ble Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Minister in charge of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday, 06.01.2025, at the DoPT Headquarters, Kartavya Bhavan.
Those present at the meeting included Shri Ravishil Verma, General Secretary, AIGETOA; Shri R.C. Pandey, General Secretary, BTEU (BSNL); Shri Hari Vinayak Sowani, All India General Secretary, Bharatiya Doorsanchar Pensioners Sangh; Shri Dharmaraj, General Secretary, MTNL Mazdoor Sangh; Shri Sashikant Kulkarni, All India President, Bharatiya Postal Pensioners Sangh; Shri J.P. Mali, All India Treasurer, BPPS; Shri Santosh Kumar Singh, former Organising Secretary, BPEF; and Shri Ananta Kumar Pal, Secretary General, BPEF.
The delegation discussed a wide range of issues relating to services, employment, and pensions concerning serving employees and pensioners of BSNL and the Department of Posts. The meeting was held in the backdrop of submissions made by the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch to the Hon’ble Prime Minister on pressing issues related to BSNL and pensioners, including the 3rd PRC, pension revision, and residual issues of the 2nd PRC.
Members of the delegation appreciated the steps taken by the Government to revive BSNL and the employee-friendly initiatives undertaken in recent years. At the same time, We highlighted the present state of affairs in BSNL and the reasons that continue to hinder its journey towards full profitability despite multiple revival packages.
The representatives of AIGETOA and BTEU specifically highlighted a major structural constraint faced by BSNL, namely the absence of a fully developed management cadre consisting of its own recruited and absorbed officers. Discussions were also held on the waiver of the affordability clause for implementation of the 3rd PRC, delinking BSNL/MTNL profitability from pension revision, implementation of residual benefits of the 2nd PRC, and the development of an internal management cadre within BSNL consisting of its own recruited and absorbed officers.
AIGETOA and BTEU representatives emphasised the need to maintain high employee morale and stated that BSNL requires additional funds not only to bring network service quality at par with private operators but also to clear long-pending financial dues of its employees. The issue of coverage under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for BSNL recruits whose recruitment process was initiated by DoT was also discussed, as the matter falls within the purview of the DoPT Ministry.
Representatives from the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Pensioners Sangh (BDPS), Bharatiya Postal Pensioners Sangh (BPPS) and other allied organisations highlighted issues affecting pensioners from the telecom and postal sectors. Emphasis was laid on the need for clarity in policies, timely flow of information and effective coordination between pensioners’ bodies and the concerned government departments and Delinking of BSNL/MTNL profitability from pension revision of the pensioners.
BDPS team also raised the issue of inclusion of date of effect of 8th CPC as 01.01.2026 in the terms of reference of the 8th CPC. The delegation also suggested some more suggestions in the terms of reference of the 8th CPC. The delegation also requested for opening of more CGHS wellness centres across India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh listened patiently to the submissions and reiterated the importance of maintaining regular dialogue with stakeholders. The meeting was constructive and forward-looking, underscoring the importance of sustained engagement on service and pension-related matters. He assured that the issues raised would be duly examined and taken care of. He also stated that he would personally take up the matter with the Hon’ble Minister of Communications and the Secretary DoT, to ensure resolution of the issues raised.
The meeting with Dr. Jitendra Singh Ji has given a new momentum to the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch’s sustained efforts for the implementation of the 3rd PRC in BSNL, with positive assurances emerging from the Government. Developments regarding the 3rd PRC are expected to become visible in the near future. Dr. Jitendra Singh assured that the matter would be examined with a positive and holistic approach, keeping in view the submissions made by the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch.
Dr. Jitendra Singh Ji concurred with the delegation’s view that, to effectively compete with private operators, BSNL must substantially increase the number of mobile towers and upgrade its associated infrastructure. He also appreciated the demand for the creation of a fully developed managerial cadre comprising officers recruited by or absorbed in BSNL. The request for additional financial support for BSNL, both for infrastructure upgradation and resolution of long-pending HR issues, was also assured due consideration.
In light of the developments during the meeting, the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch firmly believes that the sustained efforts made over the past year under the aegis of BMS will yield positive results in the coming months. The outcome of today’s meeting is expected to translate into tangible progress towards the acceptance of long-pending demands of working executives as well as pensioners.
AIGETOA, BTEU and BDPS under the banner of Bhartiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM) reaffirm their commitment to pursue the legitimate dues of employees and pensioners through all appropriate means, including continuous dialogue and if required, organisational action programmes. We do not believe in passively accepting assurances; rather, we are committed to securing what is rightfully due. In this endeavour, we seek your active support and participation. Together, we shall succeed.
Click here for glimpses of the meeting
Click here for the memorandum submitted by Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch
Click here for the memorandum submitted by BDPS
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