Update on confusion being created on freezing IDA for BSNL: Since last week, there is much confusion created among the BSNL Executives and Employees about the implementation of order issued by DPE for enhancement of IDA w.e.f. 01/01/2026 as the said order is not yet endorsed by DoT even after one week of order issued by DPE. Copy<<<>>

It is seen that some WhatsApp messages are being circulated by propagating that the IDA is frozen for loss making PSUs and hence it will not be implemented in BSNL.

In this regards it is to inform that SNEA has already updated that there are some changes in this IDA order and this order has been marked to the concerned Administrative Ministries and these Ministries will endorse these orders to concerned CPSEs and in case of BSNL it is to be endorsed by DoT.

DPE has done these changes as some PSUs have not responded to the report called by DPE about status of implementation of Pay Revisions and its applicability to all CPSEs and after prolonged persuasion also the said data is not received from certain CPSEs. Hence, DPE has held concerned administrative Ministries responsible for the same and DPE will interact with CPSEs through its administrative ministries.

We have taken up this issue again with DoT and DPE about the said clause in DPE order and confusion thereof and it has been confirmed that there is no proposal to freeze IDA and this was just an attempt to get the said information from CPSEs who have not submitted information. We are assured of required corrective action to restore earlier process and issuing clarification clearing all such doubts.

We will continue to pursue this issue for fresh order by DPE and/or endorsement of this  IDA enhancement order by DoT and we are hopeful for implementation of IDA enhancement for BSNL Executives and Employees in the Salary of March 2026.  

SNEA appeals to one and all not to believe in any such rumours and be assured that all confusions on this subject will be cleared shortly with implementation of IDA enhancement order.   

AGM Estt BSNL writes to all Circle/Units Heads of BSNL for submission of online Certificate by all executives for regularising Personal Upgradation Allowance for FY 2025-26. Copy<<<>> 

A window for submitting self-certification regarding expenditure of Personal Upgradation Allowance for purchasing books, journals etc at the end of every financial year to regularize the payment of PUA for the financial year ending 31/03/2026 is made available in ESS portal.

This window will be open from 11/03/2026 to 20/03/2026 for all executives working in BSNL and it is mandatory for each one to submit his/her option, which is online process of just a few seconds.

If anybody fails to submit the option in a given timeline, he/she will not get Professional Upgradation allowance (PUA) during Year 2026-27 which is 2% of basic of individual as on 01/01/2026.

SNEA appeals all executives to submit self-certificates in given time and latest by 20/03/2026 and please do not wait for opening of the window again and avoid any last minute complications/ issues and please do not give up your own 2% of PUA available to you as serving executive of BSNL. 

Greetings and Celebrations on occasion of World Women’s Day: :Advance Greetings on International Women's Day. !!!

The Women brigade of SNEA  is inviting you to join the Celebrations on occasion of International Women's Day through Online Seminar scheduled at 1000 Hrs of 08/03/2026. 

This online meeting will be presided over by Ms. Anu Agrawal, CS SNEA BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi.

Inauguration and Opening Remarks: Ms. N. Sujatha, Respected CGMT BSNL, Karnataka Telecom Circle.

Chief Guest: Ms Rupa Paul Choudhury, Former CGM Assam Telecom Circle and presently PGM (Coordination & Monitoring) Heading CMD Secretariat, BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi.          

Guest of Honor:  Adv Ms. Gauri Puri, Renowned Advocate from Supreme Court and Delhi High Court fighting for justice of deprived classes with Social Responsibilities.

This session will be followed by an interactive session with the SNEA CHQ OBs on issues related to working of Women Executives and resolution thereof.

Topics:

1. Government Policies for the welfare of Women Executives and its implementation in BSNL

2.  Knowledge session regarding Government Laws supporting Women Employees.

3. Experience about response from Society and  Office being a working woman.

All female executives of BSNL are warmly welcome to this special online meeting and are requested to spare the time and join this online meeting in time i.e. by or before 1000 hrs and actively participate in overall proceedings.

By understanding constraints and issues in joining the online meeting, this time we have made provision for 500 participants and it will be easy for all willing female executives to join this online meeting for valuable guidance from the dignitaries.

The link for joining this online meeting is shared to all female executives personally or in groups and also through Circle Secretaries and CHQ OBs of SNEA.

Till anybody has any difficulty in getting link, technical issues in joining this meeting, then please contact your DS/CS or  contact Shri Tata Babu Treasurer SNEA CHQ Mob: 9449854737

For any other information related to the schedule of the  meeting please feel free to contact:

1. Ms Renu Yadav, CWC Member, SNEA HR M: 9468288880

2.  Ms Anu Agrawal, CS SNEA BSNL CO Mob: 9429893873

3.      Ms Pooja Joshi , OS SNEA Noida, Mob: 9415007773

On behalf of team Women Brigade of SNEA, we appeal to all female executives of BSNL to join this online meeting in time and make it a grand success by your active participation. 

Status of ongoing Promotions:

1. CAO Promotions: About all issues related to CAO promotions are cleared by now. Only legal opinion from ASG  for going ahead with Promotions is awaited, which is expected  at any time. We are expecting ASG opinion and the promotion orders in the coming week.

2.  SDE Civil Promotions: All formalities related to DPC for SDE Civil Promotions are completed and Promotion order was expected to be issued this week, but missed due some small administrative issue. We are hopeful for completion of DPC and Promotion  orders in the early coming week.

3.  SDE Elect Promotions: VCs and SCRs were received from all Circles in the last week. The DPC Process  has been initiated by the EW wing. We are pursuing for holding early DPC for SDE Elect Promotions and we  are hopeful for the DPC and Promotion orders in the coming week or by next week.

4.    SDE Promotions under PwBD quota: The reports and required information from all Circles is received long back  but the DPC process is yet to be started. We are pursuing holding  early DPC and Promotion orders thereof.

5. Promotions of other wings and cadres: We are also pursuing Promotions of other wings and cadres, but it will take some more time due to ongoing other promotional processes. We will update further progress  accordingly as and when received.

Hope for the best.

Update on Pending Court case on AGM to DGM Telecom Promotions: Hearing in court case on DGM Telecom Promotions at CAT Chandigarh was held on 06/03/2026. But hearing held by Bench which has not heard this case earlier. Now, it is directed to be heard with Bench of Honourable judges, who have heard this case earlier. The next date of hearing is 27/03/2026.

Hearing in another court case on AGM to DGM Telecom staying DGM Regular Promotions in the same court i.e. CAT Chandigarh is scheduled on 10/03/2026.

We are hopeful  for clearing of both these cases at the earliest so as to go ahead with DGM Telecom Regular/Adhoc promotions creating many more vacancies in below cadres viz. AGM, SDE, JTO and JE Telecom. Hope for the best.  

SNEA CHQ writes Secretary DoT with request for kind intervention to review and Stop the ongoing SET Recruitment process started by BSNL and take corrective action to meet the practical requirement of BSNL with priority to internal talent within BSNL.  Copy<<<>>

Annexures    <<< A >>      <<< B >>   <<< C >>    <<<D >>     <<< E >>  <<<F >>     <<< Powers to CGMs >>     <<< Notification >>         

Satyamev Jayte/ Truth alone  Triumph:  Since the formation of BSNL it was the demand of some groups to reckon the seniority of JTOs recruited by BSNL against RY 2001  w.e.f. 1996 on the plea that there was no direct recruitment in JTO cadre since 1996. Their demand was to interpolate JTOs of 2001 RY along with promotee JTOs of 1996 onwards in order to prepare the eligibility List in 1: 1 ratio.

This demand appeared to be very attractive to some of the new JTOs and it was utilized by these groups against SNEA which stood along with BSNL decision based on DoPT Guidelines on seniority.

Many Original Applications were filed before various Central Administrative Tribunal like Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Chennai Ernakulam by these groups with the above demand and obtained the stay on promotions from JTO to SDE since 2010.

In the OA 185 of 2013 filed before CAT Ernakulam by the group, some JTOs of Ernakulam got impleaded on behalf of SNEA CHQ by engaging very Senior Advocate O.V Radhakrishnan before CAT Ernakulam.

On dismissal of these OAs by CATs, an OPCAT was filed before High Court of Ernakulam by this group and obtained the stay on SDE promotion. The OPCAT was defended by SNEA and the High Court did not allow their demand for retrospective seniority from 1996, but quashed the eligibility List to the extent it include promotee JTOs in excess of their quota and  directed BSNL to prepare the Eligibility List strictly as per recruitment rules.

Accordingly, BSNL issued the Eligibility List of JTOs recruited by DoT up to the year 2000 in accordance with Rules and initiated action for DPC. Then one more OA 508 of 2018 was filed by these groups before CAT Ernakulam challenging the eligibility list and praying for stay on DPC.

At that stage on behalf of SNEA CHQ, Ten JTOs from Ernakulam got impleaded in the above OA through Senior Advocate OV Radhakrishnan and their attempt for stay on DPC was thwarted and BSNL issued promotion order of more than 3000 JTOs to SDEs in 2018.

Then applicants moved petition against then CMD BSNL and then GM Personal alleging contempt of court. Many times GM Personal Corporate Office came down personally to Ernakulam to attend hearings at CAT Ernakulam and at one stage there was even a serious thinking in the Management to cancel the promotion orders issued to JTOs to escape from contempt proceedings.

With the strong intervention by the JTOs on behalf of SNEA through Senior Advocate O. V. Radhakrishnan as well as with proper briefing and liasoning with BSNL counsels Advocate George Kruvila and BSNL Senior Advocate Jaju Babu, the petitioners could not succeed in establishing their demand and have finally withdrawn the court case. During the last 13 years from 2013 to 2026 there were many sittings in CATs and High Court for this case.

Though most of the above promoted JTOs took VRS from BSNL, Shri George Verghese, Ex CS SNEA Kerala was personally present in all occasions in CAT and High Court and after his enrolment as advocate in 2021, on behalf of SNEA, he was appearing before CAT.

Finally, recently on 11/02/2026 the Original Application 508 of 2018 before CAT Ernakulam has been withdrawn by all the three applicants on their own. Copy<<<>>

Accordingly, the OAs filed since 2013 are closed in Year 2026 without any benefit to any JTO but delaying JTO to SDE Promotions for a minimum ten years. With this the attempt BSNL Executives and mainly young JTOs were misled for more than 20 years without any legal ground by filing cases one after another.

Finally, nothing has been achieved as was projected but precious time of eight years has been wasted in overcoming hurdles in JTO to SDE Promotions from 2010 to 2018 and now after eight of SDE promotions in 2018, this court case is withdrawn by applicants.

Thus litigation continued for sixteen years i.e. from 2010 to 2026 and finally case is closed with withdrawal of application but precious years of career of more than 10000 JTOs of BSNL wasted due to this  continued litigations with expenditure of lakhs of rupees from BSNL, applicants and SNEA.

Thus prolonged process of repetitive litigation in courts delayed SDE promotions of many JTOs for more than a decade. With this withdrawal of Court case by applicants after a period of 15 years of litigation it is once again proved that the stand taken by Management and SNEA was as per DoPT guidelines and nothing wrong in it.

This is why SNEA has been appealing to all executives in BSNL to avoid the court cases and if any case is filed under any extreme conditions, then please do not demand for staying ongoing promotions and let the promotions go ahead subject to outcome of the court case so that justice, if any, prevails.

This is a proud moment for SNEA in its struggle to extend justice to all, without appeasement to none, establishing the proverb Truth alone Triumph/ Satyamev Jayte.

SNEA conveys sincere thanks and gratitude with highest appreciation to Shri George Varghese, Former Circle Secretary SNEA Kerala for his tireless persuasion in this court case by taking personal interest and representing SNEA in its pursuit for justice that to be without charging even single rupee from SNEA and to Shri. Vimal Reghunath, Ex. AGS SNEA for assisting him in persuasion of these cases.

Central Board of Trustees of EPFO in its 259 Board Meeting has recommended for continuation of present EPF Interest Rate 8.25% for all EPF Account holders during Year 2025-26.   Press RLEASE <<<>>

EPFO Board of Trustees has also approved pilot project for auto-initiation of claim settlement in inoperative EPFO accounts with unclaimed balances.

This is great relief to EPF Account holders who were under fear of reduction of EPF Interest Rate and losses thereof. 

After long await of two months and continuous persuasion 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 persuasion 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.

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.