After long await of two months and continuous pursuation by NCOA, finally DPE has issued orders for increase in IDA by 3.5 % w.e.f. 01/01/2026.  Copy<<<>>

There are some changes in this IDA order as it has been marked concerned Administrative ministries and these Ministries will endorse these orders to concerned CPSEs and in case of BSNL the same is sent to DoT.

DPE has called status of implementation of Pay Revisions and its applicability to all CPSEs and after prolonged pursuation also no data was received from certain CPSEs. Hence, now DPE has held concerned administrative Ministries responsible for the same and DPE will interact with CPSEs through its administrative ministries.

It is not clear that the same procedure is applicable only for this IDA order or the same will be applicable in all future orders for IDA.

SNEA has taken up this matter on platform of NCOA and we are pursuing with DPE for further clarity on this issue. 

 

DGM Trg BSNL CO issued orders for postponement of dates of SET Notification and now last date for registration is shifted from 07/03/2026 to 30/03/2026 and Examination scheduled on 29/03/2026, will be notified at later stage. Copy<<<>>

This order is issued in continuation to the discussions held with CMD BSNL on 26/02/2026 by the associations and response by the CMD BSNL. 

Meantime SNEA is pursuing for cancellation of SET Recruitment process with DoT by giving factual position how the External SET recruitment process itself is defunct and how internal talent is available to meet succession plan desired by Honourable Minister of Communications to have its own Management of BSNL.  Let us hope for the best.

 

Update on Meeting of Associations with CMD BSNL: A delegation comprising the General Secretaries of SNEA, AIGETOA, SEWA, and the President of AIBSNLEA along with other leaders, met the CMD BSNL on 26/02/2026.

The meeting was held in the Board room wherein Director HR and PGM Pers were also present.

The leaders demanded in one voice to withdraw an unofficial ban on all HR activities and stop shifting every HR issue to April 2026.

We conveyed mass unrest among the executives due to not considering any of the HR issues including Request transfers from Tenure Completed executives and non-issuing Promotions even after clearance of court cases.

CMD BSNL informed that there is no ban and the issues are being sorted out but will be decided in April by keeping in mind the targets of the year.

We narrated that not clearing any of the HR issues has already caused negative impact and demotivation among the executives and it is adversely affecting the targets.

CMD categorically informed that the issues are being looked into and nothing is stopped and added that an issue like PRC needs some more time.

The Point wise discussions are as follows.

1.  Undue delay in AO to CAO Promotions: Leaders raised serious concern over undue delay on issuing CAO promotions even after clearance from the High Court and Directions from Supreme Court and this is reason for mass unrest.   

The CMD informed that management intends to take a legally vetted step, as there have been many representations and notices. He pointed out that such a step would make the order fool proof against any legal challenges. He added that his aim is to see that once a promotion order is issued the same cannot be challenged in any court.

Accordingly, BSNL has sought an opinion from the ASG, which is expected by next week. He also stated that he, along with PGM Legal, is personally following up to expedite the matter. Once the opinion is received, BSNL will issue orders for the much-awaited promotions. Associations insisted on the timeline and it was informed that the issue will be reviewed on receipt of legal opinion and on positive recommendations for going ahead with promotions, the orders will be issued immediately.

2. Deferment of SET Recruitment: The association side expressed its unhappiness over the continuation of the registration process despite the categorical assurance by management to defer it.

The management informed that necessary action is being taken to further extend the date of the examination. However, it was also stated that there is huge pressure from the DoT/GoI to recruit fresh candidates in BSNL, and hence immediate deferment may not be possible from BSNL side. Instead, they proposed postponing it to seek time to convince DoT regarding the apprehensions raised by the associations.

CMD BSNL shared that SET Recruitment is no way affecting the serving executives and then we have categorically explained how it is affecting career progression of existing executives and how it is wrongly projected as a succession plan for ITS on deputation.

We said that any lateral entry of any fresher at a higher level than JTO/JAO in unacceptable and we can’t allow that.

CMD BSNL directed PGM Pers to look into the concern expressed by the associations and directed PGM Pers to update him accordingly.  CMD BSNL informed that let the registration process go ahead and issues can be discussed and decided and after review it may continue or may be scrapped also. We categorically stated that this is in complete contravention of the assurance made by management in the first week, and if the process continues, the associations will be compelled to launch organizational action programs to stop it. It was also highlighted that all associations are united on this issue and a joint program will be launched.

3. Promotions in All Cadres for Eligible Executives: Management informed that promotions are being delayed due to conflicting approaches among stakeholders. We stated that all associations have jointly submitted a proposal for promotions wherein all eligible executives can be promoted. The proposal was found to be legally feasible, and an administrative decision is required. The CMD replied that he is agreeable to any proposal that does not result in an increase in posts. When it was clarified that there would be no change in the sanctioned strength, he agreed to discuss it further subject to no change in number of  posts and directed Director HR and PGM Pers to deliberate and submit a summary.

4. JTO to SDE Promotions for Civil wing: We narrated that the reluctance of Management on Promotions is clearly visible as the Proposal for JTO to SDE Civil promotions has been awaiting final call in Pers section for last one month and even after repeated  assurances given to us, no promotion order is issued.

CMD expressed displeasure and unawareness about it and asked PGM Pers to check issues if any and see that promotion orders are issued. PGM Pers assured for the same.

5.  Review of policy for Deputation out of BSNL: As point from management side, CMD BSNL narrated proposal to review present deputation policy so that good number of BSNL Executives get opportunity for deputation for period of three years in different organisations. He added that he will be pleased to see that BSNL Executives are deputed to selected organisations with higher pay/ perks and at one step above their present grade in BSNL and stressed for a transparent Deputation policy giving equal opportunity to all.

CMD BSNL expressed displeasure on practice adopted by some of Executives in managing deputation and then creating pressure on management to accept it despite not being eligible. He further said that in one of the cases, a written explanation was given from BSNL.

6. Presence of BSNL on Social Media: The issue of BSNL in social media and its positive and negative impacts were discussed in depth and in conclusion CMD BSNL appealed leaders to make efforts for uplifted brand image of BSNL in social media.

Subsequent to the meeting, leaders of all associations discussed together on the outcome of today's meeting and adherence to assurance by CMD BSNL and the way forward for resolution of HR issues and keeping assurances by the Management.

It was decided to wait until next week for response of the management and if management does not come forward with fulfilment of the assurances made, a joint action program will be decided and launched by all the participating associations.