On December 17, 2023, the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch (BDM), a collective platform comprising unions and associations from BSNL/DoT/MTNL, successfully concluded a meeting in New Delhi. Significant resolutions were adopted addressing the viability of BSNL, the immediate launch of 4G services, as well as matters pertaining to Pay, Promotion, and Pension. Established on December 6, 2023, by the General Secretaries of eight BSNL unions and associations, the BDM was formed with the primary goal of addressing issues related to the viability of BSNL and the well-being of its employees including those superannuating from BSNL.

Click here for the Glimpses of BDM Meeting on 17th Dec 2023

Click here for the agenda submitted by BDM to BSNL Management and to DoT

Thereafter, the BDM has corresponded with the Hon’ble Secretary DoT and Hon’ble CMD BSNL, expressing concerns on various employee-related issues and seeking a meeting for resolution. BDM has also sought a hearing from Hon’ble Minister of Communication Shri Ashwini Vaishnav Ji for an agenda based discussion on the prominent issues of BSNL employees requiring intervention from the highest office like Issues pertaining to Pan India rollout of 4G services by BSNL, Implementation of 3rd PRC, Implementation of standard pay scales of E2 for JTO/JAO Equivalent and E3 for SDE/AO/Equivalent, Resolution of Pay loss issues pertaining to various groups and the promotion related issues. Additionally, the BDM has also emphasized for the restoration of the old pension scheme for eligible BSNL employees recruited as per DoT notification, aligning with a recent judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and OM dated 03.03.2023. The long pending issue pension revision of employees superannuated from BSNL/MTNL at par with Central Government Pensioners and implementation of Hon’ble PBCAT judgement Dated 20/09/2023 is also a prime agenda undertaken by BDM.

The next course of action to be taken by the platform was discussed and it was decided that since the conventional methods of seeking attention has lost its significance in the present-day scenario, the BDM must adopt the alternate methods available to highlight the long pending HR issues of employees and the significance of BSNL to nation and the contribution of employees in service of our mother nation. It was resolved that while each employee of BSNL remains fully dedicated to the cause and wellbeing of nation and BSNL, at the same time, it must be ensured that each employee is extended its due rights pertaining to Pay, Pension and Promotion and all necessary actions must be undertaken to achieve the same.

The key decisions taken by “BHARTIYA DOORSANCHAR MANCH” in its meeting held on 17th Dec 2023 at New Delhi are as stated below:

1] BDM will try to convince all the unions and associations to join together and work together and accordingly an invitation shall be sent to the General Secretaries of all the unions and association by the convener and chairman.

2] Formation of Circle-Level Coordination Bodies: The Circle-level coordination bodies to be established by January 15, 2024.

3] Circle-Level Conventions shall be held at following cities between 1st January 2024 to 28th Feb 2024):

• Ahmedabad
• Pune
• Lucknow
• Hyderabad
• Vijayawada
• Bengaluru
• Chennai
• Bhubaneshwar
• Trivandrum
• Jaipur
• Bhopal
• New Delhi

4] A Memorandum highlighting the need for resolving the issues of BSNL viability and the prominent issues related to BSNL shall be submitted to all the MPs by 31st January 2024.

5] The National Safety Day Falls on 4th March. It is decided to appeal to all employees to work for extra one hour for one-week wef 4th March 2024 to for safety of BSNL. During this one hour, employees will highlight the contribution of BSNL towards national interest and its importance as strategic PSU in nation building, various services offered by BSNL etc across various media available including social media.

6] A Padyatra in support of the demands raised by BDM and to create awareness amongst the employees and the general public with respect to the contributions of BSNL employees in nation building, role played by BSNL employees during natural calamities, during tough times of national need (Example- Role of BSNL in recent Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse), the role played by the employees as the unsung Telecom Warriors of Covid-19 whose contributions and sacrifice went unnoticed without any acknowledgement from any corner including BSNL management and Department of Telecom. The Padyatra will aim towards making public aware about the role of BSNL employees in the service of nation. Awareness campaign shall also aim to inform one and all on how management has been depriving the employees of BSNL in terms of their genuine issues related to Pay, Pension and Promotions. The Padyatra will showcase the firm resolve of BDM towards resolution of the long pending HR issues without any further delay. The Padyatra will also pay homage to the unsung telecom warriors who lost their lives while doing the duty of nation during covid-19 pandemic and shall demand the compassionate ground appointment for their dependents and extension of all other facilities which has been given by government to other Covid Warriors. The Padyatra Shall be held in the month of March 2024.

7] It is also proposed to hold a bike rally from various parts of the country to BSNL CO, New Delhi. The modalities of the same shall be in similar lines to that of Pad Yatra and shall be discussed and decided by the above-mentioned committee.

8] Shri Hari Sowani ji, GS BDPS is unanimously nominated as Vice Chairman of the Manch.

9] Detailed program of the above activities shall be informed in due course of time.