GS Shri Abhishek Jain and CHQ President Shri Rajpal Sharma met the CMD BSNL, Shri A. Robert J. Ravi Ji, on 31.12.2025. At the outset, the GS and President extended warm wishes for a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year-2026 (in advance) to the CMD BSNL on behalf of AIBSNLEA CHQ. The CMD Sir reciprocated the New Year greetings to the Association, its members, and all the executives of BSNL.

During the meeting, the GS submitted several constructive suggestions to the CMD BSNL for enhancing revenue generation, including in rural areas, particularly through effective utilization of the BharatNet Project. He explained that small but focused initiatives at the field level could significantly contribute towards achieving revenue growth and meeting targets in rural regions. It was also suggested that app-based vehicle/transportation services may be introduced for field executives/staff for official purposes, especially for operation and maintenance activities, to improve efficiency and enable real-time service delivery.

CMD Sir listened patiently to all the suggestions and assured that the same would be examined, and necessary action would be taken accordingly.

The GS and President also raised the issue of transfer of executives posted at hard tenure stations on completion of the prescribed tenure period. The matter was discussed in detail with reference to earlier orders issued by the then Director (HR), wherein directions were given that transfer orders from hard tenure stations should be issued well in advance, before completion of the tenure period, and that executives should be relieved in time without waiting for substitutes.

Further, the issue of critical medical cases was discussed. It was pointed out that several cases were already approved vide Annexure-III of order dated 30.09.2025, but final transfer and posting orders are still awaited due to delay in receipt of reports from the concerned circles. Although most of the circles have now submitted the reports to the Corporate Office, the affected executives are still awaiting relief. The Association conveyed that these executives are facing extreme hardship due to critical health issues of themselves or their dependent family members.

CMD Sir assured that all such cases would be issued and advised the Association to pursue the matter with Director (HR) / PGM (Pers) / HR Wing for early action. AIBSNLEA appreciated and thanked the CMD BSNL for the patient hearing, positive assurance, and for sparing his valuable time.

Meeting with PGM (Pers)

GS Shri Abhishek Jain and CHQ President Shri Rajpal Sharma also met the PGM (Pers), Shri Rajeev Kumar Kaushik Ji. Warm New Year-2026 greetings were exchanged, followed by a detailed discussion on various issues relating to hard tenure transfers, promotions in different cadres, medical cases, and other Service Related (SR) issues.

The CHQ team strongly emphasized the long-pending issue of hard tenure transfers, highlighting that many executives have already completed their prescribed tenure period, but transfer orders have not been issued so far. Reference was made to earlier practices where transfer orders were issued well in advance, and it was requested that the same procedure be followed.

PGM (Pers) informed that transfer orders for hard tenure stations are likely to be issued in the early days of the coming New Year.

The GS and President also expressed serious concern over stagnation in promotions, as there is a complete deadlock across almost all cadres. It was suggested that an appropriate mechanism be evolved to break the impasse and ensure timely promotions.

PGM (Pers) stated that promotions in several cadres are held up due to various legal hurdles, including litigations initiated by some executives, which have not yielded any positive outcome but have instead disrupted the overall promotion process. He further informed that the management, in consultation with the Legal Team of BSNL Corporate Office, is working on a suitable mechanism to remove the bottlenecks and pave the way for promotions in various cadres.

AIBSNLEA thanked the PGM (Pers) and requested early and decisive action on these long-pending issues.

<< Click here for letter (Electrical)>>

In the said meeting, it was unanimously decided to organize Country-wide Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 08.01.2026. Accordingly, a formal notice has been jointly issued by the General Secretaries of all Unions and Associations.The demonstrations will be held to protest against the indifferent attitude of the BSNL Management towards the long-pending approval of the Wage Agreement.

 << Click here for notice>>

              << Click here for letter (Telecom) >>                      << Click here for letter (Accounts) >>

<< Click here for letter>>

1. Promotion issue:-

GS and President expressed the deep concern and long-pending grievance of Civil JTOs, who have not received even a single promotion for more than 26 years. Many JTOs retired without getting a single upward movement in their entire service career. They were earlier deprived due to a negative approach of some officers, but it is now expected that the matter will be processed with positive and justified recommendations so that promotion orders may finally be issued.

PGM (Pers) listened patiently and informed that the JTO (Civil) to SDE (Civil) promotion (CPC) case is under active consideration of higher authorities. The process is ongoing, and a positive outcome is expected shortly. Once finalized, further CPC work will commence.

AIBSNLEA CHQ also discussed the long-pending promotions from SDE to AGM, AGM to DGM and AO to CAO. We requested the early issuance of all these due but significantly delayed promotions.

PGM (Pers) informed that these cases are under active examination by the Legal Branch, and that PGM (Legal) is personally reviewing the related court matters. The Legal Section is making sincere efforts to resolve all outstanding legal hurdles. Once these hurdles are cleared, the promotion process will be initiated and completed at the earliest, subject to final approval from the Legal Section of BSNL Corporate Office.

CHQ expressed its deep concern over the exceptionally long delay, particularly in the AO to CAO promotions, where adequate vacancies exist and eligible executives have been waiting for more than 10 years for their rightful promotion.

PGM (Pers) reassured that he will personally take up the matter with PGM (Legal) and try to resolve the issues at the earliest. He further observed that such delays are often the result of self-created complications and emphasized that court cases should be avoided, wherever possible, to ensure timely and smooth issuance of promotion orders.

AIBSNLEA conveyed its sincere thanks to PGM(Pers) for the patient hearing, positive assurances, and clarity on these important matters. 

2. Transfer Policy Issues:-GS and President strongly raised concerns regarding the transfer policy, especially relating to:

• Circle tenure and stay norms for AGM/SDE cadres
• Reduction of stay periods at hard-tenure stations as per Central Government guidelines
• Need for rational and compassionate approach in transfers

PGM (Pers) clarified that no major structural changes are being made in the policy as of now. However:

• Some relaxations may be introduced in JTO/JAO transfers such as delegating more powers to higher authorities and deletion of repetitive or obsolete clauses.
• Circle tenure periods will not be drastically reduced; if at all, they may be adjusted slightly.
• He shared that CGM, Kerala had requested inclusion of Kerala Circle under hard-tenure due to manpower shortage, but this proposal is not under consideration at present.
•  

GS and President conveyed that AIBSNLEA supports the Kerala CGM’s viewpoint, since Kerala Circle has a very large customer base, requires adequate manpower to maintain service quality, and consistently performs with PBT (Profit Before Tax). They also raised specific cases where officers transferred on medical grounds were not relieved despite proper submissions by the Circle.

PGM (Pers) acknowledged these concerns. He assured:

• Pending medical ground transfer cases will be taken up after issuing reminder.
• Hard-tenure transfer orders are expected to be released in the coming days.

Hon. Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun Ji, Member of Parliament (Davangere, Karnataka), strongly advocated in Parliament for the removal of the affordability clause for implementation of the 3^rd PRC for BSNL employees. She emphasized that BSNL functions primarily in the national interest, not merely for commercial profit, and therefore the affordability condition should be removed. She urged that the 3^rd PRC be granted before 31^st March 2026.

     << Click here for video >>

Hon. Bastipati Nagaraju Ji, Member of Parliament (Karnool, Andhra Pradesh), also raised the issue in Parliament and highlighted the severe financial hardship faced by BSNL employees due to non-implementation of the 3^rd PRC. He reiterated that BSNL is the nation’s pride, always at the forefront during national disasters, emergencies, and the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted telecom services. He further underlined BSNL’s pivotal role in providing telecom services in rural and remote areas and stated that despite such critical national service, employees continue to suffer financial loss.

The Hon’ble MP also emphasized:-

·         The widening pay difference between deputationists and absorbed employees

·         The need for pension revision for retired employees

·         The reduction in medical facilities despite this, BSNL employees continue to contribute significantly to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative through indigenous 4G/5G and BharatNet projects.

<< Click here for video >>

It is a matter of great assurance that our genuine demand has received recognition at the highest democratic platform. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has also acknowledged the pivotal contribution of BSNL in the development of indigenous 4G services — a major step toward Atmanirbhar Bharat. In this context, removal of the affordability clause for a strategic CPSU like BSNL is highly justified.

It may be recalled that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had earlier written to DPE, vide Letter No. 11-1/2017-SU-II dated 20th March 2018, regarding the *“Proposal of BSNL for implementation of 3^rd PRC by relaxing the affordability criteria.”

   << Click here for letter >>

We urge all BSNL employees to unite and strengthen our collective effort for the implementation of the Third PRC.

 

PGM Sir acknowledged the issue and informed that, during a recent meeting of senior officers with the new Secretary, it was emphasized that the Secretary requires data related to employees' professional competencies. Accordingly, this information is now being sought from employees through “My Office App.”

He further clarified that, at present, this data has no relevance to transfer or posting. It is being collected solely for competency mapping. He also mentioned that the Training Centre has developed software to maintain and analyse employees’ expertise profiles. Based on this database, future training schedules will be formulated in alignment with the employees' competencies.

<<Click here for letter>>