02.08.2022

बी एस एन एल रिवाइवल पैकेज

Cabinet  approves revival package of BSNL amounting to

Rs 1.64 Lakh Cr.

Telecom Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji has stated that Telecom is a strategic sector. Presence of BSNL in telecom market acts as a market balancer. BSNL plays a crucial role in expansion of telecom services in rural areas, development of indigenous technology and disaster relief. To make BSNL financially viable, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the revival package of BSNL amounting to Rs 1.64 Lakh Cr. Revival measures approved by the Cabinet focus on infusing fresh capital for upgrading BSNL services, allocating spectrum, de-stressing its balance sheet, and augmenting its fiber network by merging Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) with BSNL.

1. Upgrading BSNL services
2. Administrative allotment of Spectrum: To improve existing services and provide 4G services, BSNL will be allotted Spectrum in 900/1800 MHz band administratively at the cost of Rs 44,993 Cr through equity infusion. With this spectrum, BSNL will be able to compete in the market and provide high speed data using their vast network including in rural areas.
3. Financial support for capex: To promote indigenous technology development, BSNL is in process of deploying Atmanirbhar 4G technology stack. To meet the projected capital expenditure for next 4 years, Government will fund capex of Rs 22,471 Cr. This will be a significant boost to development and deployment of Atmanirbhar 4G stack.
4. Viability gap funding for rural wireline operations: Despite the commercial non-viability, BSNL has been providing wireline services in rural/remote areas to meet the social objectives of the Government. Government will provide Rs 13,789 Cr to BSNL as viability gap funding for commercially unviable rural wire-line operations done during 2014-15 to 2019-20.
5. Increase in authorized capital: The authorized capital of BSNL will be increased from Rs 40,000 Cr to Rs 1,50,000 Cr in lieu of AGR dues, provision of capex and allotment of spectrum.

2. De-stressing BSNL balance sheet

5. Debt structuring: Government will provide sovereign guarantee to these PSUs for raising long term loan. They will be able to raise long term bonds for an amount of Rs 40,399 Cr.  This will help restructuring existing debt and de-stressing the balance sheets.
6. Financial support for AGR dues: To further improve the balance sheet, AGR dues of BSNL amounting to Rs 33,404 Cr will be settled by conversion into equity. Government will provide funds to BSNL for settling the AGR/GST dues.
7. Re-issue of preference shares: BSNL will re-issue preference share of Rs 7,500 Cr to the Government.

3. Augmenting BSNL fiber network

8. Merger of BBNL and BSNL: To facilitate wider utilization of infrastructure laid under BharatNet, Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL) will be merged with BSNL.  The infrastructure created under BharatNet will continue to be national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to all the Telecom Service Providers.

With these measures, BSNL will be able to improve the quality of existing services, roll out 4G services and become financially viable. It is expected that with the implementation of this revival plan, BSNL will turn-around and earn profit in FY 2026-27.

The Hon’ble Minister has further stated that there is no Need for a 2nd VRS in BSNL and as such has put to rest all runours being floated by vested interests. 

WHO  IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS SUFFERED BY THE EMPLOYEES

The employees working in the BSNL have been suffering on numerous counts for the past several years both financially and career wise.  After the 2nd PRC, the perks were to be settled after an year but even after 12 years there is no mention of perks, the management systematically imposed several other cuts such as ban of leave travel concession, cut in medical expenses, Children educational allowance, various forms of other allowances which were being paid to the employees. The protests were very much muted. No serious efforts to counter this were made, their agitations were only for the sake of an agitation often to please their political masters. Strikes were held and withdrawn without any result.

At the same time the officers on deputation got all the benefits at the cost of the BSNL workers and the agitations to send them back never bore results.  

The promotion policy which was formulated in the year 2010 has out lived its life. No effort is made to get another new policy. BSNL is unique in the sense that there is a dual policy one for the executives and another for the non executives. While the executives got their promotions at a much faster pace and  the non executives have to wait for long. Stagnations in the lower rung of the employees was a big curse on the employees. More than 60000 workers suffered, thousands retired under stagnation and  now stagnation has reached its peak.

Departmental examinations are never held in time, in the name of restructuring large number of vacancies have been usurped by the management.  The non executives are left with no other alternative except to rot in the cadre they are in. Young Engineers are dissatisfied today, they joined the BSNL with the fond hope that they will have a better future here. 

Now comes the question, who is responsible for the mess in which the employees are in, the answer is obvious, the recognised unions who have been at the helm since the first verification.  It is only they who have the power to negotiate with the management, DOT etc but why did they fail to get their agenda implemented despite having such large percentage of votes, what stopped them. 

Dear BSNL employees and young Engineers ponder over this, the time has come to make a change, a decisive change for the betterment of your career.

2nd VRS in BSNL?

CHQ is being floded with enquiries about 2nd VRS in BSNL for employees above the age of 45 years.  All are advised to note that there is no such proposal. Vested interests are spreading this kind of news. Do not subscribe to such news.

BSNL REVENUE TO SEE AN UPEARD TREND -CMD

CMD BSNL Shri P.K.Purwar  has stated that with the launch of 4G services by BSNL, the revenues are likely to increase by 20%. This is a good sign though belated. The Nation is awaiting for the launch of 4G by BSNL. Badly delayed for various reasons, successive Governments be it UPA or NDA have to bear the responsibility for this delay. Had BSNL got 4G alongwith the private operators, BSNL would have made history by now. Any way past is past, let us all welcome the launch and make efforts to get to the top of the charts again.

WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPLY,

COLOURFUL AND SAFE HOLI

GS BTEU BSNL ADDRESSES OPEN SESSIONS ON 12th & 12th March

at Chennai and Bhopal

Shri R.C.Pandey, General Secretary BTEU BSNL has attended the All India conferences of AIBSNL EA at Chennai held on 12.3.22 and that of AIGTOA held at Bhopal on 13.3.22. He has addressed the open sessions in both the conferences and  spoke about the need to bring back past glory of the BSNL and to that extent all out efforts are to be made by all irrespective of cadre and affiliation. He has outlined the stops being taken by the Union in meeting the Hon’ble MOC and bringing to his notice the need for immediate action plan to make BSNL the number one telecom company again.  He has also stated that Wage revision and better HR policy are the need of the hour.

The open session at Bhopal was also addressed by the CMD BSNL. He has spoken very positively about the BSNL and the steps being taken by the Government at the highest level to ensure that the companies needs are taken care.

Pension Revision

The Bharatiya Doorsanchar Pensioners Sangh an affiliate of the BMS has taken up the issue of Pension Revision with the Hon’ble MOC on 20.01.2022 and held extensive discussions with him. The Hon’ble MOC assured the Sangh of a positive outcome. While this is so, one Hon’ble MP Smt V.Geetha Viswanath also took up the issue  with the Hon’ble MOC,. Secretary DOT, Secretary Department of Personnel and Pensions . Another group of like mined pensioners have also met the Hon’ble MP and appreciated her stand. Our CHQ President and CHQ office bearers & CS AP also met the Hon’ble MP and thanked her profusely. Shri H.V.Sovani, the  GS BDPS in the meanwhile has addressed separate letters to the Hon’ble MOC and Dr Jitender Singh , Minister of state for Personnel & Pensions requesting for an early settlement of the Pension issue by delinking the same from wage revision,  Positive out come is expected. We thank the Hon’ble MP for showing keen interest in the matter despite the fact that this is a very small issue for her. We appreciate her stand.