VRS - SOME FACTS

VRS - AN ANALYSIS

MEN MAY COME AND MEN MAY GO

• 27.01.2012:BSNL notifies recruitment of ITS Group A officers to Sr.DGM/GM/PGM/CGM posts in BSNL: BSNL has formally notified recruitment of ITS Group A officers to the posts of Sr.DGM/GM/PGM/CGM in BSNL. View letter...    View Advertisement...

• 27.01.2012:DoT clarifications on recruitment of ITS Group A officers in BSNL: BSNL has circulated DoT clarifications on recruitment of ITS Group A officers in BSNL on immediate absorption basis. View clarifications...

• 26.01.2012:BSNL publicity work under CBI lens for alleged irregularities: '"There were several instances of criminal conspiracy and substantiated acts of commission and omission by certain BSNL officials. Hence, the Commission decided to refer this case to CBI for detailed investigation," a CVC official said.' Read More...

• 26.01.2012:TRAI grants relief to business houses on 200 SMS limit: The business houses will longer have to worry about the limit of 200 SMS per day per SIM to inform the customers about their services as Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday decided to exempt machine to machine and person to machine messages from the limit of 200 SMS per day per SIM.

• 24.01.2012:Regular promotion to DGM (T) grade: BSNL has issued orders promoting four STS/DGM (Adhoc) as DGM on regular basis. View orders...

• 23.01.2012:Preparatory work for promotion to DE Adhoc: BSNL has circulated the names of officers in respect of whom data and related ACRs are not available. View circular... View Annexure-I... View Annexure-II...

• 23.01.2012:Representations from SDEs (T) for ante-dating their promotion under competitive quota based on LDCE 2002 in compliance with order of CAT Bangalore: BSNL has informed Circles/Units that no action need be taken on the representations in view of the review petition filed by BSNL before Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka. View orders...

• 23.01.2012:Amendment to BSNL Special Lateral Direct Recruitment Rules 2011 of BSNL Management Services: BSNL has amended the RR in respect of inter-se-seniority amongst the selected ITS officers. View amendment...

• 20.01.2012:Vodafone finally emerges victorious in a tax battle with IT department, hails SC verdict: 'In an important verdict the Supreme Court on Friday set aside Bombay High Court’s order directing the company to pay income tax of Rs 11,000 crore. The apex court said that income department has no jurisdiction to levy tax on overseas transaction between companies incorporated outside India.' Read More...

• 20.01.2012:TDSAT says it has power to hear telcos plea against DoT over 3G roaming pacts: 'The tribunal however however, directed the service operators to handover the roaming agreements copies to DoT.' Read More...

• 19.01.2012:BSNL looking to raise up to Rs 15,000 crore; hires SBI Capital: 'The company has hired SBI Capital which will help the PSU to raise a long-term loan of amount ranging between Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore for a period of 5 to 7 years, sources with the direct knowledge of the development said.' Read More...

• 19.01.2012:Criteria for Categorization of CPSEs: 'The Department of Public Enterprises(DPE) has laid down criteria for initial as well as re-categorization of Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSEs) into appropriate schedules. All CPSEs are required to be categorised into four schedules, namely, Schedule ‘A’, Schedule ’B’, Schedule ‘C’ and Schedule ‘D’. Read More...

• 18.01.2012:Consideration of request for change in Exam Centre for LDCE for promotion to SDE (T): BSNL has fixed 25.1.2012 as last date for submission of request for change in Exam Centre for LDCE for promotion to SDE (T) in respect of those who have come on inter-circle transfer. View orders...

• 18.01.2012:BSNL endorses DPE orders on IDA revision: BSNL has endorsed the DPE orders increasing IDA from 52% to 56.7% w.e.f.1.1.2012. View orders...

• 17.01.2012:TDSAT sets aside BSNL carriage demand of 65 paise: 'However, the tribunal added, "This order shall be subject to any other or further order which may be passed by the Supreme Court of India or any Regulation that may be made by the telecom regulator (Trai)."' Read More...

• 16.01.2012:IDA increase from 1.1.2012: DPE has issued orders increasing IDA from 52% to 56.7% w.e.f. 1.1.2012 View orders...

• 15.01.2012:CHQ writes to CMD on Reduction of emoluments of Directly Recruited JTOs of 2007 and 2008 Batch & Directly Recruited AOs in respect of whom result was declared in April 2010: 'Now, anomaly has been created as the DR JAOs will draw more pay than the promotee JAOs appointed earlier to them due to grant of five advance increments to the DR JAOs' Read More...

• 15.01.2012:TDSAT sets aside penalty on operators, asks DoT to refund money: 'The tribunal has also said that the benefit of doubt on any ambiguity in the terms licence should go to the operators and asked the DoT to give them a fresh hearing on this issue in accordance with today’s judgment.'' Read More...

• 13.01.2012:CHQ writes to Secretary, DoT on Special Lateral Direct Recruitment Rules 2011 of BSNL for recruitment of Sr.DGMs and GM/PGM/CGM: 'At the very first sight, it appears to be a rehabilitation package proposed by BSNL for those who only a few weeks ago refused to opt for absorption in BSNL and are under repatriation to DoT, rather than a contingency plan in the interests of BSNL.' Read More...

• 11.01.2012:Fifth Amendment to CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972: DoP&T has notified CCS (Leave)(Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2011 whereby the words, "Paternity Leave, Child Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave for Child Adoption and Child care Leave" will be inserted after "Seaman's Sick Leave" under Sl.No.1, Column 2 of First Schedule to the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972. View notification...

• 10.01.2012:Transfer and Posting in CAO grade: BSNL has issued transfer and posting orders in CAO grade. View orders...

• 10.01.2012:Promotion of JAOs/AAOs to AO grade: BSNL has circulated the list of JAOs/AAOs whose names are under consideration for promotion to AO grade, calling for their ACRs/APARs. View letter... View list...

• 10.01.2012:Promotion of AOs/Sr.AOs to CAO grade: BSNL has added Annexure-C to the list of AOs and Sr.AOs whose names are under consideration for promotion to CAO grade, calling for their ACRs/APARs. View Annexure-C...

• 09.01.2012:Promotion of AOs/Sr.AOs to CAO grade: BSNL has circulated the list of AOs and Sr.AOs whose names are under consideration for promotion to CAO grade, calling for their ACRs/APARs. View letter... View Annexure-A... View Annexure-B...

• 08.01.2012:DoT mulling to set up pan-India secure network at Rs 450 cr: 'BSNL and MTNL would be reimbursed full capital cost they incur for building the secured communication fixed network, which is being rolled out by them on commercial basis.' Read More...

• 06.01.2012:Circle-wise list of candidates who are to appear for LDCE for promotion to SDE (T): BSNL has circulated the name and other details of candidates who are to appear in the LDCE for promotion to SDE Telecom on 4.3.2012. View Circular... View list...

• 04.01.2012:Admissibility of full pension after 10 years of qualifying service in Govt.- Clarification: BSNL has circulated a DoT clarification drawing attention to Para 6 of DoP&T OM dated 8th June 2011, which specified admissibility of full pension after 10 years of qualifying service in Government. BSNL had sought for this clarification 'to encourage and facilitiate joining of more number of young ITS officers in BSNL' (as per the Special Lateral RR) View Circular...

• 03.01.2012:Constitution of surplus staff establishment & redeployment of surplus staff: DoT has constituted Surplus Staff Establishment (SSE) for redeploying the ITS officers who have opted for DoT in excess of the total number of 463 sanctioned ITS Group A posts in DoT. View order...

• 03.01.2012:LDCE for promotion to SDE to be held on 4th March 2012: The LDCE for promotion to SDE grade under 33% quota scheduled to be held on 4.7.2010 and postponed, will now be held on 4.3.2012. The on-line registration earlier done by the candidates is valid for this exam and no fresh registration is required. View O.M....

• 03.01.2012:Grant of five advance increments on the minimum of the revised E1 IDA scale: BSNL has conveyed the decision of its Board granting five advance increments on the minimum of the revised E1 IDA scale to directly recruited JTOs of 2007 & 2008 batches and the JAOs in respect of whom results were declared in April 2010, on the date of their joining the service. View orders..

• 03.01.2012:Operation of E6 scale on functional basis in BSNL and designating them as Sr.DGM: BSNL Board has approved operation of 600 posts of DGM at E6 level on functional basis and designating them as Sr.DGM View orders...

• 03.01.2012:Method of pay fixation of Executives recruited as per Special Lateral Direct Recruitment Rules, 2011 of BSNLMSRR: BSNL has spelt out the fixation method by which the pay will be fixed in a manner, so that the basic pay and DA, as admissible in BSNL IDA pay scale, is equal to the basic pay plus grade pay if any, plus DA being drawn in the parent organisation/department. View orders...

• 03.01.2012:DoT questions TDSAT jurisdiction to hear telcos' plea on 3G: 'Meanwhile, state-owned BSNL today requested to implead into this ongoing dispute and make it a party in the suite. Additional Solicitor General AS Tankha appearing for BSNL submitted that that PSU is going to be affected very largely by the outcome of its hearing and it should be heard.' Read More...

• 02.01.2012:Sub-quota for minority community in reservation for OBC: DPE has issued OM providing a sub-quota of 4.5% for religious miniorities within the 27% reservation for OBCs in recruitment and appointment in CPSEs. View O.M....

• 02.01.2012:BSNL grants Trade Union facilities to AIBSNLOA: BSNL has issued orders extending the facility of 'informal meeting with the management' to AIBSNLOA at all levels. Similar order has been issued in respect of AIGETOA also. We had been pursuing with the Management for quite some time for extension of trade union facilities for effectively taking up the issues with the Management/Administration. View orders...

• 01.01.2012:2011- Another successful chapter in India’s telecom sector: 'Teledensity in the country is steadily increasing from 18.22% as on 31.3.07 to 70.89% as on 31.03.11 and currently stands at 76.03% as on 31.10.11. However, there is a wide gap between urban teledensity (166.54%) and rural teledensity(36.81%).' View report...

• 30.12.2011:Special Lateral Direct Recruitment -2011 of BSNL Management Services: BSNL has notified Special Lateral Direct Recruitment -2011 of BSNL Management Services for recruitment of Sr.DGMs and GMs/PGMs/CGMs (Telecom Operations) in E6 and E9 IDA scales on immediate absorption basis as a special measure. The earlier Direct Recruitment of DGMs has lent precedence to this RR. But the proposal of retention of seniority of the new recruits vs already absorbed officers (against which AIBSNLOA alone had raised strong and valid objections in its letter to DoT and DoPT) does not find a place in this RR. Officers already absorbed will be enbloc senior to those who are to be recruited as per this RR. Without provision for retaining the seniority and without any hope of pension for the service in BSNL, this RR may not be as attractive as the repatriated ITS officers would have wanted it to be. Anyway recruitment of Sr.DGMs and GMs in such a large number, that too as a special measure, is quite uncalled-for. We would raise the issue appropriately. View notification...

• 30.12.2011:IDA increases by 4.7% w.e.f.1.1.2012: According to calculations based on All India Consumer Price Index for September, October and November 2011, the IDA has increased by 4.7% from 52% to 56.7%, w.e.f. 1.1.2012.

• 30.12.2011:Allotment of vacant quarters to retired BSNL/DoT employees: CGMs have been empowered to allot vacant staff quarters to retired BSNL/DoT employees. View orders...

• 30.12.2011:Posting on promotion and posting on transfer in EE (Civil) grade: BSNL has issued posting on promotion and posting on transfer orders in EE (Civil) grade. View orders...

• 28.12.2011:Transfers in DGM (F) grade: BSNL has issued transfer orders in DGM (F) grade. View orders...

• 28.12.2011:BSNL may re-employ Indian Telecom Service officers under 58 years: Under the new recruitment rules, ITS officers eligible for re-absorption in BSNL will retire from government service and be re-employed in the telco. And to induce them to quit government service and return to BSNL, DoT may take over their pension liability, a senior government official said.(ET)

• 27.12.2011:One-time fee for extra spectrum not ruled out says Telecom Secretary: In a move that may put huge financial burden on old GSM operators, the Telecom Commission has said that one-time charge for extra spectrum beyond the contracted limit of 6.2 MHz held by these players cannot be ruled out. (ET)

• 26.12.2011:Tamilnadu to host the First AIC: Tamilnadu Circle has conveyed its decision offering to host the First All India Conference of AIBSNLOA. The Reception Committee's Circular will issue shortly. After finalisation of dates in consultation with the Reception Committee, CHQ will formally notify the Conference. The venue of the AIC will be Thiruchirapalli (Trichy).

• 25.12.2011:BSNL Board Meeting on 23.12.2011 clears important issues: BSNL Board Meeting held on 23.12.2011 is reported to have cleared the decks for holding of JTO to SDE LDCE. Notification for the exam is expected to be issued shortly. The Board, it is learnt, has also approved higher start with five extra increments to the minimum of E1 IDA pay scale as an interim arrangement in lieu of equivalent of E1A in the pre-revised IDA scale. The Board is reported to have also approved modifications to BSNLMSRR to aid direct absorption in BSNL (on technical resignation from DoT) of the repatriated ITS officers. We shall react to the modifications after the details are known.

• 23.12.2011:All India GSM subscriber figures for November 2011: BSNL has added 5,57,477 connections in November 2011. View figures...

• 22.12.2011:Government asks Bharti, Vodafone, Idea to stop 3G roaming pacts: 'Coming down heavily on operators for violating licence norms, the Telecom Ministry has asked service providers to discontinue their 3G roaming agreements and is also contemplating imposing penalty on them. The decision comes after the unanimous view of telecom regulator Trai, Law Ministry and DoT that such roaming agreement was in violation of the telecom licences.'(ET)

• 22.12.2011:Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011 Introduced in Lok Sabha: 'Establishment of new institution in the Constitution called Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for the States. These autonomous and independent bodies, shall have powers of superintendence and direction for holding a preliminary inquiry, causing an investigation to be made and prosecution of offences in respect of complaints under any law for the prevention of corruption.' Read More...

• 21.12.2011:Regulation of pay on crossing of maximum of revised IDA pay scale on grant of annual increment: BSNL has issued clarification that initial fitment, fixation of pay on promotion and annual increments etc. can be granted only upto the maximum of pay scale and not beyond that. View orders...

• 21.12.2011:BSNL Tender for 14.37m GSM lines: 'Following bidders have participated in the bids: M/S Alcatel Lucent India Ltd., M/S ZTE Telecom India Pvt. Ltd., M/S Ericsson India Pvt. Ltd., M/S Nokia Siemens Network Pvt. Ltd., & M/S Huawei Telecommunication India Pvt. Ltd' Read More...

• 20.12.2011:CHQ writes to Secretary, DoP&T on Seniority of ITS officers to be recruited in BSNL vis-à-vis officers already absorbed in BSNL: 'We learn that DoT has in turn written to DoP&T asking for clarification on seniority of officers directly absorbed (after technical resignation from Government) in a PSU.' Read More...

• 19.12.2011:Applicability of rules for permitting voluntary retirement: BSNL has clarified that employees directly recruited by BSNL and appointed on compassionate grounds after 1.10.2000, will be governed by Rule 55 (ii) (c) of BSNL CDA Rules, 2006 and those who have been absorbed in BSNL from DoT will be governed by Sub Rule 11-A of Rule 37 A of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. View orders...

• 19.12.2011:Telecom Ministry may action BSNL's BWA spectrum: 'The government will auction it and whatever amount they get, BSNL is likely to get back around 80-90% of what it had paid last year, about 6,700 crores.' Read More...

• 16.12.2011:DoT to issue show-cause notice to 5 telcos, including Bharti, Idea, RCom and Tatas, on special audit: 'The DoT had conducted special audit of these telecom operators' financial books for 2006-2008 to ensure that the private operators had paid their dues to the government and there was no evasion of licence fees. Trai had noticed that some of operators were showing more revenue in segment that carried lower licence fee.' Read More...

• 12.12.2011:CHQ writes to Sr.GM (Pers) on Cases wherein senior Executives are getting lower pay than their juniors due to getting of adhoc promotion in the next IDA pay scales before the date of their IDA pay scale upgradation under Executive Promotion Policy: 'We would therefore request that, without restricting the benefit of such stepping up of pay to the applicants only, the Committee set up for the purpose may decide to step up the pay of the seniors and consequently a common order to benefit all such seniors may be issued.' Read More...

• 09.12.2011:DoT may charge telecom cos higher revenue share for 3G roaming pacts: 'These developments come even as the DoT and sector regulator Trai have concluded that these deals are illegal - a position that has been backed by the law ministry. But the department has not initiated action against mobile phone companies after leading GSM operators sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention, and also demanded that government refund the money they paid for these airwaves if 3G roaming deals were disallowed.' Read More...

• 08.12.2011:Pension contribution payable in respect of absorbed employees: In a major breakthrough BSNL has ordered pension contribution calculation on the basis of existing basic pay as per DoP&T orders dated 19th November 2009, instead of the present practice of calculation on the basis of maximum of the pay scale. View orders...

• 07.12.2011:CHQ writes to Secretary, DoT on Seniority of ITS officers to be directly absorbed in BSNL vis-à-vis officers already absorbed after deemed deputation: 'Thus, the contents of the Director (HR) BSNL letter are unsustainable and against the interests of the ITS officers already absorbed in BSNL and seek to favour those who have refused to opt for absorption in BSNL but want to come back as directly absorbed officers still keeping their seniority intact. One cannot have the cake and eat it too.' Read More...

• 07.12.2011:Telecom ministry accepts in principle BSNL spectrum surrender: India's telcoms ministry has accepted in principle a proposal by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd to surrender its wireless broadband spectrum in a "substantial number" of telecom zones, a senior government official said on Wednesday. The details of the surrender are still being formulated, telecoms secretary R. Chandrashekhar told reporters, adding that the ministry would look at auctioning the spectrum after the proposal is approved. State-run BSNL owns broadband spectrum in 20 of India's 22 telecoms zones. The company was made to match the highest bid price in a state auction for the spectrum, which the firm has said makes it economically unviable.(ET)

• 05.12.2011:Com.Manas Kumar Mukherjee gets Vishisht Sanchar Seva Padak award: Com.Manas Kumar Mukherjee (Mobile No.09433400489), ex-SDE, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Telecom Training Centre, Kalyani has been selected for Vishisht Sanchar Seva Padak Award in Executive Category-I. He is also the CWC Member of AIBSNLOA from Kolkata. He had been the Secretary General of BTEF during the 1980s. On behalf of all the members of AIBSNLOA we convey our heart-felt Congratulations and Wishes to Com.Manas Kumar Mukherjee.

• 02.12.2011:AK Garg replaces Kuldip Singh as CMD of MTNL: Shri AK Garg, Director (HR) BSNL, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of MTNL, according to company sources. Garg replaces acting CMD Shri Kuldip Singh.

• 02.12.2011:Promotion and postings in STS (Telecom) on adhoc basis: BSNL has issued promotion and posting orders in STS (T) on adhoc basis for five left out SDEs. View orders...

• 02.12.2011:Encashment of HPL against shortfall in EL of 300 days: BSNL has issued orders extending the benefit of encashment of HPL against shortfall in EL of 300 days on death of any BSNL employee while in service w.e.f. 1.1.2006. View orders...

• 02.12.2011:Clarification on pay fixation on promotion w.r.t. 2nd PRC: DoT has advised BSNL to follow the existing DPE guidelines that one notional increment equal to the increment being drawn by the executive in the pay scale before such promotion be granted and pay fixed in the promotional pay scale and rounded off to the next multiple of Rs.10. View orders...

• 02.12.2011:Final seniority list of EE (Civil) grade: BSNL has circulated the final seniority list of absorbed EE (Civil) grade officers as on 1.1.2004 View orders...

• 01.12.2011:Promotion and postings in DGM (Telecom) on adhoc basis: BSNL has issued promotion and posting orders in DGM (T) on adhoc basis. View orders...

• 30.11.2011:VRS for BSNL, MTNL employees not possible this fiscal, says Telecom Secy: 'The Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for employees of Government-owned telecom firms, BSNL and MTNL will take some more time as the Telecom Ministry is yet to take a final call on the same.' Read More...

• 29.11.2011:Addenda to modifications in scheme and syllabus for LICE for promotion to PA, PS and Rajbasha Adhikari grades: BSNL has issued separate addenda to its orders dated 24.11.2011 modifying the scheme and syllabus for LICE for promotion to Personal Assistant, Private Secretary and Rajbasha Adhikari grades, stating that the modified scheme and syllabus will be applicable for LICE to be conducted in the future only.

• 28.11.2011:Relieving of repatriated ITS officers: Following a reported directive from DoT that 33% of the non-optee ITS Group A officers in each circle/unit should have been relieved in a few days, the Circles have started relieving more ITS officers on repatriation to DoT.

• 27.11.2011:3G roaming pact among telcos may cause loss to govt: Sector regulator Trai and the Law Ministry have already termed the roaming pact among these players as illegal, saying this tantamounts to spectrum sharing which is not allowed as per the policy.' Read More...

• 24.11.2011:Bharti Airtel accounts for 26% of industry revenue: Bharti Airtel alone accounted for almost 26% of total industry gross revenue at Rs. 13,239 crore. It was followed by state-owned BSNL, with 18% share at Rs.9,040 crore. Read More...

• 24.11.2011:Modification in scheme and syllabus for LICE for promotion to Rajbasha Adhikari grade: BSNL has reduced the qualifying and aggregate marks in the LICE for promotion to Rajbasha Adhikari grade. View orders...

• 24.11.2011:Modification in scheme and syllabus for LICE for promotion to Private Secretary grade: BSNL has reduced the qualifying and aggregate marks in the LICE for promotion to Private Secretary grade. View orders...

• 24.11.2011:Modification in scheme and syllabus for LICE for promotion to Personal Assistant grade: BSNL has reduced the qualifying and aggregate marks in the LICE for promotion to Personal Assistant grade. View orders...

• 23.11.2011:Telecom service cadre asks government for 'apt' jobs: '"Considering the larger public interest, the government should strengthen the role of ITS officers in areas like TERM (Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring) cells, effective consumer grievance redressal cells, special purpose vehicle for NOFN ( National Optical Fibre Network), management of secure defence network and promotion of indigenous telecom equipment manufacturing," a representative of ITSA told media.' Read More...

• 23.11.2011:Loss of over Rs 43k cr due to relief to telcos in 1999: '"On one side private licensees repeatedly violated the conditions of license agreements. On the other government granted concessions after concessions in relaxation of tender conditions decided through open competitive bidding," CAG report had said.' Read More...

• 22.11.2011:CHQ writes to MoC on Early completion of the process of repatriation of non-optee ITS Group A officers back to DoT: 'Due to the peculiar situation, where the responsibility of putting a contingency plan in place is lying with the very same officers who are to be repatriated, the process of repatriation of the remaining officers almost has come to a halt, in the name of absence of contingency plan.' Read More...

• 21.11.2011:All India GSM Subscriber figures for October 2011: Uninor tops GSM subscriber addition in October 2011. View figures...

• 20.11.2011:CBI raids offices of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone: 'The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searched Vodafone's offices in Delhi and Mumbai and the Bharti Airtel headquarters in Gurgaon after it filed a new case against these telcos and former bureaucrats. The CBI has alleged the exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 508 crore after the late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan's awarded additional airwaves to these companies in 2002.' Read More...

• 20.11.2011:Sukhram sentenced to 5 years jail in 1996 telecom case; attacked outside court: 'Former Telecom Minister Sukhram was today awarded five years imprisonment by a Delhi Court after being convicted of taking Rs three lakhs as bribe to give a lucrative contract to a private firm in 1996.' Read More...

• 18.11.2011:Clarifications on suspension of LTC facility: BSNL has issued clarifications on suspension of All India LTC for two years. View orders...

• 17.11.2011:Revised edition of Brochure on Reservation: DoP&T has brought out revised edition (2011) on Reservation for SC, ST & Backward classes in Services. Go to the Brochure...

• 17.11.2011:Legal wing backs DoT's call on 3G roaming deals: The legal wing of the communication ministry has supported the views put forward by several sections of the department of telecom (DoT) which had said that 3G roaming deals among mobile phone companies violated licence rules.(ET)

• 16.11.2011:Airtel hikes tariff on international calls by up to 10%; customers to have fewer benefits: 'For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, airtel posted decline of 38.17 per cent in its net profit at Rs 1,027 as compared to Rs 1,661 crore reported in the same period a year ago. This was the seventh consecutive quarter in which the company registered a decline in profit.' Read More...

• 15.11.2011:Reimbursement of claims for briefcase and towels: Due to implementation of ERP package BSNL has introduced uniform rules and procedures for issue of briefcase and towels. View orders...

• 14.11.2011:Repatriation of non-optee ITS Group A officers back to DoT: According to reliable sources, another batch of non-optee ITS officers will be relieved on repatriation to DoT after expiry of the target date tomorrow (15.11.2011) for consolidating of options and forwarding the same to Corporate Office, by Circles. DoT is said to be determined in completing the process within a specified time frame.

• 14.11.2011:Two Sick CPSEs Turned Around: 'Till date BRPSE has considered 67 cases and recommended revival of 59 CPSEs and closure of 3 CPSEs envisaging total assistance of Rs. 35448 crores. GOI has approved revival of 43 CPSEs and closure of 2 CPSEs envisaging total assistance of Rs. 25,105 crore, benefitting 1.71 lakh employees.' Read More...

• 14.11.2011:BSNL launches Bharat Berry push e-mail service: 'State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Monday tied up with Bharat Berry Technologies to provide push e-mail services to all its mobile subscribers of all circles in India. Push e-mail provides an always on capability by which new e-mails are actively transferred. The mobile communication service Bharat Berry works with most of the mobile phones and provides an advanced push mail with over the air backup of the user's contacts, tasks, calendar and notes.' Read More...

• 13.11.2011:Govt slaps Rs 50 cr penalty on Airtel, Tatas for ILD licence violation: 'The Telecom Ministry is understood to have imposed a penalty of Rs 50 crore each on Bharti Airtel and Tata Communications for providing international private lease circuits to foreign company SingTel in violation of ILD licence terms and conditions.' Read More...

• 11.11.2011:Request and Tenure transfers in AO/Sr.AO grades: BSNL has issued request transfer and tenure transfer orders in AO/Sr.AO grade. View orders...

• 11.11.2011:Short term engagement of retired officers in BSNL: Under the contingency plan following repatriation of unabsorbed Group A officers, BSNL decides to engage willing retired officers of BSNL/DoT for a short period. Read More...

• 11.11.2011:More number of ITS officers relieved from BSNL on repatriation to DoT: More number of ITS Group A officers from various small circles/units have been relieved today from BSNL on repatriation to DoT.

• 10.11.2011:3G roaming deals among telcos to have negative impact on govt revenue - DoT: 'Earlier this year, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular had entered into 3G roaming alliances that enabled them to offer high-end data services on a pan-India basis (except Orissa). Bharti, Vodafone and Idea had won 3G airwaves in 13, 9 and 11 circles, respectively, and their roaming pacts ensured that customers of these companies can access high-speed data services even in the regions where they don't hold 3G airwaves. Aircel has a similar deal with Tata Teleservices and offers 3G services in six circles using the latter's airwaves.' Read More...

• 09.11.2011:First batch of ITS officers relieved from BSNL on repatriation to DoT: As per the instructions contained in DoT letter dated 3.11.2011, a total of 282 ITS Group A officers from various circles/units and 38 from BSNL CO have been relieved today from BSNL on repatriation to DoT.

• 09.11.2011:Telcos earn Rs 46,891 cr in Q1, Airtel leads pack: .Airtel's gross revenue was the highest at Rs 10,212.96 crore, followed by Vodafone at Rs 6,893.91 crore, Idea Cellular at Rs 4,600.77 crore and state-run BSNL at Rs 4427.80 crore, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said in its India Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report.' Read More...

• 08.11.2011:DoT issues clarifications to its 4.3.2011 orders: DoT clarifies that officers who are to revert to DoT cannot abdicate their posts or refuse to perform their assigned functions until they are formally relieved by BSNL. View clarification...

• 08.11.2011:BSNL top executives asked to rejoin DoT tech wing: 'ET had reported last week that BSNL was merging operations and installing a back-up senior management team to take over operations in an emergency situation. Circle heads who have opted to return to DoT have been asked to suggest replacements from the existing pool of absorbed officers as part of a contingency plan.' Read More...

• 08.11.2011:BSNL circulates DoT order on repatriation of non-optee ITS Group A officers back to DoT: BSNL has merely circulated DoT letter dated 3.8.2011 on repatriation of non-optee ITS officers back to DoT. View circular...

• 06.11.2011:USO project defaulters face 5-year ban: The Department of Telecom may impose a five-year ban on Reliance Communications, Bharti Airtel, and Aircel from participating in future rural telephony projects supported by the Universal Services Obligation fund. This is because these operators have failed to meet their roll out targets under a GSM project floated by the USO fund in 2007. Read More...

• 04.11.2011:Repatriation of ITS Group A officers back to DoT: DoT has issued orders directing all ITS officers who have opted for government service and those who have not given any option and those who have given conditional option to report to DoT immediately after being relieved formally by BSNL, by reporting to Sr.DDG (TEC), Telecom Engineering Centre, New Delhi with a copy to the Cadre Controlling Authority and Director (HR), BSNL. After such reporting, they have been directed not to leave Head Quarters, ie. New Delhi without appropriate approval. Read More...

• 04.11.2011:Contingency Plan on completion of process of absorption of ITS Group A officers: BSNL is communicating with retired ITS/TFS/IFS/GCS officers in the age group of 60-64 years as part of its contingency plan. View orders...

• 04.11.2011:Nearly 4 cr mobile connections in a city of 1.68 cr people: There are nearly four crore mobile phone connections in Delhi, which has a population of 1.68 crore, with the connections taken by city residents witnessing over 50 per cent increase in 2010-11. (ET)

• 03.11.2011:BSNL gets Rs 5.5K cr more for defence network: 'The Telecom Commission (TC), the apex decision-making body of the communications ministry, has cleared BSNL's request for an additional capital expenditure of Rs 5,503 core for the alternative network the state-owned telco is building for the armed forces.This will be over the Rs 8,098 crore that has already been given to the PSU for this project. This will be over the Rs 8,098 crore that has already been given to the PSU for this project.' Read More...

• 02.11.2011:Retention of staff quarters beyond permissible limit: BSNL has delegated the power of consideration of requests for retention of staff quarters beyond permissible limit, to the Circle Heads, at stations where sufficient quarters are vacant. View orders...

• 02.11.2011:Revised Scheme and Syllabus for LICE for filling up JTO (Telecom) posts under both 35% & 15% quota: BSNL has circulated revised Scheme and Syllabus for Limited Internal Competitive Examination for filling up JTO (Telecom) posts under 35% & 15% quota for exams to be held in the future. View circular...

• 02.11.2011:Holding of JTO (SRD) 2011: BSNL has initiated action for holding Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) for filling up backlog vacancies of JTO (Telecom/Civil/Electrical) for persons with disabilities (PWD). The exam will be conducted on 19.2.2012. View letter...

• 01.11.2011:TRAI suggests 50% cut in termination charges by Jan: 'The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed reducing mobile termination charges from 20 paisa to 10 paisa a minute from January 1, 2012 and to nil by 2014.' Read More...

• 01.11.2011:Pesky messages back? TRAI raises SMS limit to 200 per day per SIM: 'Telecom consumers will now be able to send up to 200 SMSes per day from a SIM, as against the earlier limit of just 100 SMSes per day imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). ' Read More...

• 29.10.2011:BSNL plans to trim landline operations, cut jobs: 'At present, BSNL is doing an internal assessment of whether its loss-making landline business justifies the existence of innumerable phone mechanics, telecom technical assistants, regular mazdoors and junior telecom officers who collectively number more than a whopping 1.5 lakh on its rolls.' Read More...

• 28.10.2011:COAI letter to DoT alleges spectrum revenue loss: 'Fresh spectrum trouble is brewing, with GSM operators alleging a revenue loss of Rs 14,823 crore ($3 billion) on account of CDMA players providing EVDO services in their assigned 800 MHz CDMA spectrum band, without acquiring spectrum designated for EVDO through the auction route. In simple terms, EVDO services are the same as 3G or high data-use services, except that EVDO applies to CDMA technology while 3G is the GSM equivalent' Read More...

• 27.10.2011:Pakistani hacks BSNL site: 'In a response, BSNL said “the Web site was hacked around 6 p.m. on October 26. It came to our notice today and has been restored as of 2 p.m. (October 27). Our Web site has general information such as BSNL tariffs. There is no customer data on the Web site so there is no question of any data being stolen or deleted. We will undertake security audit and also take suitable measures for hardening the Web site security."' Read More...

• 25.10.2011:India's telecom story over? Six top executives of mobile companies hunting new jobs: 'Over the last couple of months, several leading telcos, including Bharti Airtel, Tata Teleservices, Reliance Communications and Aircel, have undertaken major restructuring exercises while Vodafone and Idea Cellular are expected to follow suit. ET had recently reported that Bharti Airtel's move to collapse its various business verticals is likely to trigger a large-scale job cull that will make about 2,000 executives redundant. Tata Teleservices has combined its GSM and CDMA business divisions, a move that may make about 15% of those employed by the company redundant. Last month, Reliance Communications had merged its three business divisions, forcing the company to hand out pink slips to about 700 employees and 'redeploy' another 2,000 executives to 'field functions'.' Read More...

• 24.10.2011:DoT agrees to setting up of special purpose vehicle for broadband network roll-out: 'DoT was earlier insisting on appointing Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd as the agency for executing the project aimed at connecting all the panchayats. However, in a note circulated for the consideration of the Cabinet, DoT has agreed to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of all PSUs that have optical fibre infrastructure.' Read More...

• 21.10.2011:BSNL endorses orders on Revision of IDA rates w.e.f. 1.10.2011: BSNL has endorsed DPE orders revising IDA rates from 47.2% to 52% w.e.f.1.10.2011. View orders...

• 21.10.2011:Revision of IDA rates w.e.f. 1.10.2011: DPE has issued orders revising IDA rates from 47.2% to 52% w.e.f.1.10.2011. View orders...

• 19.10.2011:CHQ writes to CMD on Discrepancy in BSNL MS RR in respect of SDE grade of Civil/Electrical/Architecture wing in BSNL - denial of promotion to EE grade in respect of non-graduates: 'As per the DoP&T guidelines referred to above, the departmental promotees having the basic qualification of diploma are eligible for promotion to STS grade and discrimination by date of promotion to SDE is against the essence of the said guidelines.' Read More...

• 19.10.2011:All India GSM subscriber figures for September 2011: BSNL has added the lowest number of mobile connections among the leading operators, during September 2011. View figures...

• 18.10.2011:Contingency plan in case of repatriation of ITS officers to DoT: After being snubbed by DoT, BSNL has started collecting details urgently for drafting alternate proposals. View details...

• 17.10.2011:Preparative work for promotion to DE Adhoc - Corrigendum: BSNL has issued a corrigendum to its letter dated 12th October 2011 on the subject. View corrigendum...

• 17.10.2011:Government's decision above Trai views in case of difference - SC: 'The Supreme Court has said that the government's decision on the issue of the terms and conditions of the licences given to the telecom companies will prevail over the view of the telecom watchdog' Read More...

• 15.10.2011:BSNL has a two-year window to turn around, says CMD: 'BSNL entered cellular business as a late entrant in October 2002 when private operators had already spread their arms for over 6 years. Our network expansion stumbled during the last few years for reasons beyond our control. However, we have initiated the process to increase our mobile capacity and hope to revive the growth process.' Read More...

• 15.10.2011:DoT panel rejects 10-digit proposal for fixed-line phones: 'In-C-DOT and other legacy wireline exchanges, it is not possible to implement 10-digit series. This will have adverse affect on rural telephony,” the panel said in its report. It added that freeing up 5, 6 and 3 number series would make available nearly 2.7 billion additional numbers which would be enough to meet mobile growth.' Read More...

• 14.10.2011:DoT snubs BSNL's contingency plan on repatriation of ITS officers: DoT snubs BSNL's proposal of deputation/foreign service of non-optee ITS officers back in BSNL, stating that it cannot be resorted to since it is against the spirit of rule 37-A and also would run counter to the cabinet decision under which the Group A officers were sent on deemed deputation to BSNL pending completion of absorption process. View DoT letter...

• 14.10.2011:Tenure transfers in SDE (Telecom): BSNL has issued transfer orders to SDEs (T) who have completed their tenure and substitutes for them. View orders...

• 13.10.2011:Closing of Central Government offices on poll day: DoP&T has issued modifications to its earlier instructions dated 9-3-1987, regarding closure of Central Government offices including industrial establishments in connection with elections to Lok Sabha / State Assembly / Panchayat / Municipality / Corporation or other Local Body. View fresh guidelines...

• 13.10.2011:DoT cautions BSNL against Chinese vendors for Rs 5,000 crore contract: 'But the IB has now pointed out that this criteria of restricting Chinese vendors to select geographies in the country would no longer work as gearmakers were being allowed the facility of remote access, the provision to monitor data and voice traffic on networks from remote locations in India and abroad.' Read More...

• 12.10.2011:DoT wing says 3G roaming agreements between Bharti, Voda & Idea are ‘illegal’: 'If the government acts on the recommendations of the Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cell of the DoT, the three GSM biggies may have to shell out fines to the tune of Rs 50 crore for every circle where they have entered into 3G roaming agreements.' Read More...

• 12.10.2011:Preparatory work for promotion to DE (Adhoc): BSNL has initiated preparatory work for promotion to DE (Adhoc) in respect of the TES Group B officers whose names are given in annexures. View orders... View Annexure (OC)... View Annexure (SC)... View Annexure (ST)...

• 11.10.2011:CHQ Circular on 'VRS - some facts': '"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin' Read More...

• 11.10.2011:Executive Promotion Policy - Advance processing of time bound upgradation twice a year: BSNL issues orders for processing in advance and twice a year, in April and October, the cases of financial upgradation under EPP. View orders...

• 10.10.2011:Draft National Telecom Policy- 2011 Released by Shri Sibal: 'The draft NTP 2011 envisions: Affordable, Reliable and Secure Telecommunication and Broadband Services Across the Country; Increase in Rural Teledensity from 35 to 100 by 2020; Proposed Broadband on Demand and 600 Million Connections by 2020; Efforts Towards ‘Right to Broadband’; One Nation - One License and One Nation - Free Roaming; Additional 300 MHz Spectrum by 2017 and Another 200 MHz by 2020 to be made available; Seamless Voice, Data, Multimedia and Broadcasting Services on Converged Networks; Eighty Percent Telecom Sector Demand through Domestic Manufacturing with a Value Addition of Sixty Five Percent by 2020.' Read More...

• 07.10.2011:CHQ writes to DDG (Estt), DoT regarding the case of Fixation of Pension by DoT Cell Orissa at Bhubaneswar by reducing one increment in contravention of BSNL corporate office guidelines consequent on implementation of BSNL Executive Promotion Policy: 'We would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that DoT Cell Orissa at Bhubaneswar has, in a number of cases, fixed the pension of retired officers by reducing one increment on the plea that once pay is fixed on promotion, the DNI should be granted one year after such date of pay fixation, which we feel is not correct and is a great injustice meted out to the retired officers.' Read More...

• 05.10.2011:BSNL offers to set up co-op for VRS staff; outsource work: 'Though the VRS will also result in financial outgo, we are ready to do our part,” the Chairman said. Read More...

• 01.10.2011:BSNL offers to surrender broadband spectrum; seeks refund of fee: 'Confirming the move Mr R K Upadhyay, Chairman, BSNL, told Business Line, “We want to give the spectrum back because we are using it to offer services only in rural areas. The government can take back the spectrum and own it while we can continue to meet the social obligation of connecting the rural areas.”' Read More...

• 30.09.2011:BSNL likely to get Rs 5500 crore more for defence network: 'The Telecom Commission, the apex decision-making body of the communications ministry, will meet within days to clear a proposal by state-owned BSNL seeking an additional capital expenditure of Rs 5,503 crore for the alternate network it is building for the armed forces, officials with direct knowledge of the development told ET.' Read More...

• 30.09.2011:Revised order of promotion to AE (E)/SDE (E) on the basis of LDCE 2002: In accordance with CAT, Hyderabad orders, BSNL has issued orders notionally promoting Executives presently working as JE (E)/JTO (E)/SDE (E) w.e.f. 20.11.2003, on the basis of LDCE held on 14.3.2002. View orders...

• 30.09.2011:Promotion from JTO (E) to SDE (E): BSNL has issued promotion and posting orders on the basis of results of LDCE for promotion to SDE (Electrical) declared on 17th August 2011. View orders...

• 30.09.2011:Increase in IDA rate w.e.f. 1.10.2011: An IDA increase of 4.8% has become due w.e.f.1.10.2011.

• 29.09.2011:BSNL-Topper Service: BSNL, in association with M/s Greycells 18 Media Ltd. launches a unique initiative for students of Classes 9-12 covering syllabus of various boards like CBSE, ICSE & other Major state boards. View details...

• 28.09.2011:MoU with Union Bank of India: BSNL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Union Bank of India for various loans to BSNL employees for a period of one year upto 25th September 2012. View MoU ...

• 26.09.2011:No more pesky calls and SMSs from tomorrow: 'To avail the service, the customers will have to get themselves registered with the National Customer Preference Registry, earlier known as "National Do Not Call Registry".' Read More...

• 26.09.2011:Supreme Court observation on RTI: In a recent judgment, Supreme Court has observed that, "where the information sought is not a part of the record of the public authority, and where such information is not required to be maintained under any law or the rules or regulations of the public authority, the law does not cast an obligation on the public authority to collect or collate such non-available information and then furnish it to the applicant." Read More...

• 25.09.2011:Airtel faces fine of Rs 50 crore for masking calls: 'The telecom department is likely to haul up Bharti Airtel for allegedly camouflaging its calling-line identification (CLI) mechanism while making promotional business calls to non-Airtel customers.' Read More...

• 23.09.2011:CHQ writes to CMD on VRS in BSNL: 'In order that those who volunteer to take the VRS offer get proper and justified compensation for leaving the service prematurely, we request serious consideration of all the following points, before taking a final call on the VRS.' Read More...

• 23.09.2011:Option called for again, for absorption of ITS officers in BSNL: DoT has called for option, on the same terms and conditions previously offered, from ITS Group A officers for absorption in BSNL, including those of TTS, TFS, Civil, Electrical and Accounts & Finance services. The last date of submission of option forms for officers on deputation to BSNL is 8.11.2011. For those who are working in DoT or on deputation to other departments, the last date is 28.10.2011. View DoT circular...

• 22.09.2011:Clarification on Leave encashment on LTC: The proposal of leave encashment on LTC for BSNL employees who have opted for the facility of LTC provided to their spouses employed in other PSUs/Corporatiohn/Autonomous bodies etc. and those who are otherwise not entitled for LTC on account of their spouses employed in Indian Railways/National Airlines who are entitled to previlege passes/concession tickets without deducting the same from overall accumulation limit of 300 days w.e.f. 28.9.2010, has not been approved by the competent authority. View orders...

• 22.09.2011:All India GSM Subscriber Figures for August 2011: BSNL has just added 3,88,057 connections in August 2011, against the 17,72,670 connections last month. View figures...

• 22.09.2011:Contempt petition on SDE Seniority in CAT, Chennai closed: The contempt petition in 37/2011 filed by SC/ST Executive Officers' Welfare Association regarding seniority list dated 17.1.2007 of SDE (Telecom), has been closed today by Hon'ble CAT, Chennai, on production of copy of the existing Stay order in Hon'ble High Court, Madras, removing the hurdle for promotion to DE (Adhoc), DE (Regular) and DGM (Adhoc).

• 21.09.2011:LDCE for promotion to SDE (T) under 33% quota: While disposing off applications in various CATs, the Principal CAT New Delhi had ruled that the eligibility for appearing in the LDCE would be 3 years regular service as JTO as on 1st July of the vacancy years, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-2010. BSNL has circulated the names of the applicants in the above OAs and has asked the circles to intimate their eligibility yearwise before 26th September 2011 for taking further action in holding the LDCE.

• 20.09.2011:Pay fixation under FR (1) (a) (I) on promotion to DE on regular basis: BSNL has now provided for option to choose the date of pay fixation in terms of FR 22 (1) (a) (I) for those who had been promoted to DE grade on regular basis through various promotion and posting orders issued during 2010 and 2011. View orders...

• 19.09.2011:Revision of flat rates of licence fee for departmental quarters w.e.f. 1.7.2010: As per Directorate of Estates orders, BSNL has conveyed its approval to recover the licence fees w.e.f. 1.7.2010 for the departmental accommodations as per the revised ratess. View orders...

• 19.09.2011:DoT plans alliance between BSNL, MTNL, C-DoT, ITI and TCIL: 'BK Syngal, who is ex-CMD of erswhile VSNL (now Tata Communications), however, feels the entire concept is flawed since there are no real synergies between the proposed alliance partners. "Where are the synergies? We are talking of two loss-making service providers in BSNL and MTNL. An R&D company in C-DoT which hasn't done any pathbreaking research for decades and a virtually defunct telecoms gear maker in ITI that is in the red. If anything, the proposed exercise may prove to be an indirect ploy to tap the fast dwindling cash reserves of BSNL and MTNL to cover the inefficiencies of ITI and C-DoT," says Syngal, without mincing words.'' Read More...

• 19.09.2011:BSNL likely to scrap 15 million line GSM tender due to poor response from private vendors: "However, when contacted, BSNL CMD R K Upadhyay said, "As of now, there is no such plan to scrap the tender... The process is evolving." Read More...

• 17.09.2011:BSNL PROPOSALS ON VRS SUBMITTED TO MOC: BSNL has submitted its proposals to Minister of Communications & IT, with all relevant details as a power point presentation. As per BSNL's proposals the VRS to BSNL employees will provide for 'Ex-gratia amount of 60 days of salary (Pay + DA) for each completed year of service or salary for number of months of service left, whichever is less. Scheme will be made open to all employees above the age of 45 years. All the other retirement benefits will be payable by the Government. DoT has been requested to provide Rs.11,276 crores towards ex-gratia payable to around 1 lakh estimated VRS optees, as a non-interest bearing lumpsum grant or infusion of additional equity.' View extracts from the proposals...

• 16.09.2011:CHQ writes to CMD on extension of second ACP to the left out SDEs (Civil/Electrical) upto 1.10.2004: 'Now that only a very few candidates have been left out, we request you to settle the issue once for all by granting one time relaxation to extend the benefit of second ACP upto 1.10.2004 by adopting the same principle envisaged in DOT orders cited above. ' Read More...

• 16.09.2011:Fourth Amendment to CCS (Leave) Rules: DoP&T has notified Central Civil Services (Leave)(Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2011, providing for grant of child care leave to a woman Govt. employee for a maximum period of 730 days in the entire service, for taking care of her two eldest surviving children, whether for rearing or looking after any of their needs such as education, sickness and the like. View notification...

• 14.09.2011:Airtel, Idea begin issuing demand notices for 10 Ps SMS termination fee for every text message: 'While this charge is bilateral, it hurts the young operator more since with a much smaller subscriber base, we obviously have more traffic going to others' networks," the Uninor spokesperson said. The telco said it had also raised the matter with Trai stating that the charge was unjustified, since the cost to terminate an SMS is only 2 paisa.'Read More...

• 13.09.2011:VRS in BSNL: DoT has written to CMD BSNL requesting "Action taken on VRS in BSNL as discussed during the meeting in DOT on 1st September, 2011 may also be approved."

• 13.09.2011:Blacklist telcos terminating USOF Pact before expiry - Govt: 'A panel set up by Communications Minister Kapil Sibal to ascertain the reasons for delays in providing mobile services in rural areas under the USOF scheme, has proposed blacklisting of players for five years in case of termination of agreement before the expiry date. The decision had come in the wake of a controversy over RCom switching off telecom services for some time in some areas under the USOF scheme.(TT)

• 13.09.2011:TRAI, private mobile phone companies object draft tender for rural wireless broadband: 'They have, for instance, cautioned the telecom department (DoT) against reserving one of the two slots for state-owned BSNL, as this will force all private operators to bid for just one slot. Besides, telcos also share the view that reservation for BSNL was not justified as all mobile phone companies contribute 5% of their revenues towards the USOF, which is used to support rural telephony.'Read More...

• 12.09.2011:No outstanding dues to BSNL, say Telcos: 'The projected outstanding demands by BSNL are not in accordance with TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) regulations and we believe there are no outstanding dues to BSNL in this regard,’ Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said in a statement.Read More...

• 08.09.2011:CHQ writes to CMD on BSNL's decision to withdraw leave encashment while availing LTC and 'without voucher' facility under BSNLMRS: 'The officers and employees of BSNL have already been denied their righteous entitlement of 78.2% instead of 68.8% for fixation of pay in the revised scales. BSNL Executives are being continuously denied their legitimate E2 and E3 scales for JTOs & equivalents and SDEs & equivalents respectively. They are drawing pay in lower scales viz. E1 and E2 after pay revision, lower than the E1A and E2A scales, which they were having before pay revision. And now, again, the officers and employees are being denied their legitimate and hard earned rights, in the name of bad financial health of BSNL, for which the Management, the DoT and the Government are alone to blame.' Read More...

• 07.09.2011:Tenure Transfers in SDE (T) grade : BSNL has issued more tenure transfer orders in SDE (Telecom) grade. View orders...

• 05.09.2011:LTC FROZEN; MEDICAL FACILITY WITHOUT VOUCHER WITHDRAWN : BSNL has taken drastic measures to curtail expenditure by freezing All India LTC for two years (except for those who are retiring during the period), withdrawing leave encashment for both All India LTC and Home Town LTC and withdrawing 'without voucher' facility under BSNLMRS. View orders...

• 04.09.2011:BSNL's SLP dismissed: BSNL had filed an SLP in Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, against the orders dated 21st April 2011 of High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore in WP 37322/2010, confirming the orders of CAT Bangalore for counting of experience for the purpose of promotions, annual increments etc. w.e.f. 23.1.2002 but with arrears from 1.4.2008 only, for the SDEs promoted under 25% competitive quota vacancies pertaining to the recruitment years 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 for which Limited Departmental Competitive Examination was scheduled to be held on 23.7.2001, but was actually held on 1.12.2002. The SLP in 22720/2011 has been dismissed on 25.8.2011 since the Court found no merit in the Special Leave Petition. The Supreme Court has directed BSNL to comply with the CAT orders within two months from 25.8.2011.

• 02.09.2011:Amendment to Policy for utiisation of vacant lying Staff Quarters : BSNL has amended the policy enabling provision of staff quarters to the family members of BSNL employees, at the places other than their place of posting, subject to certain conditions. View circular...

• 02.09.2011:Tenure transfers in SDE (Telecom): BSNL has issued transfer orders to SDE (T) who have completed their tenure and substitutes for them. View orders...

• 30.08.2011:Fraud detection and protection in mobile network: BSNL has circulated instances of misuse/loss of revenue relating to Mobile reported in BSNL, for corrective action. View circular...

• 29.08.2011:Withdrawal facility for online exam of mandatory training: BSNL has provided as a one time measure, withdrawal option to officers who have registered for various on-line examinations to be held during September 2011 under Executive Promotion Policy. View orders...

• 28.08.2011:BSNL adds highest number of new mobile subscribers in July: BSNL has managed to add the highest number of new mobile subscribers, among all GSM service providers, in July with 17,72,670 additions. This is the first time since September 2010, that BSNL has managed to achieve this feat. Market leader Bharti Airtel added 15,10,279 connections while Vodafone Essar managed 14,91,167 connections. View All India figures...

• 26.08.2011:Transfer and Postings in CAO grade: BSNL has issued orders of transfers and postings in CAO grade. View orders...

• 25.08.2011:Amendment to orders of Posting of SDE (Telecom) to TERM cell: BSNL has issued amendment to orders posting 12 SDEs (Telecom) to TERM cell.View amendment...

• 25.08.2011:Telcos under TRAI scanner for hiking mobile tariffs: Telecom regulator Trai has asked leading telecom service providers, including Bharti airtel, Vodafone and Idea, to justify their decision to hike mobile tariffs by up to 20%. (ET)

• 24.08.2011:Promotion to DGM (T) on adhoc basis: The process for holding DPC for promotion to DGM (T) on adhoc basis is reported to be in progress.

• 23.08.2011:Review of financial performance (TR) of BSNL by MoC: Minister of Communications & IT Shri Kapil Sibal has reviewed the financial performance (TR) of BSNL for the quarter ending June 2011 and the month ending July 2011.View review note...

• 23.08.2011:Counting of residency period in respect of Stenographers Grade I & II - Modifications: BSNL has clarified that the benefit of counting of residency period is applicable to those stenographers Grade I and Grade II of BSNL field units who were made PAs w.e.f. 1.1.2004 as a result of restructuring of the cadre..View orders...

• 19.08.2011:Posting of SDE (Telecom) to TERM cell: BSNL has issued orders posting 12 SDEs (Telecom) to TERM cell.View orders...

• 17.08.2011:Reliance Communications, Bharti, Idea and MTNL defaulted in making payments to Government: In reply to another question, he mentioned list of 46 telecom companies are yet to pay over Rs 1,366.32 crore interconnect usage charge to state run telecom company BSNL. Read More...

• 17.08.2011:Trai showcause notices to Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Loop Telecom, Reliance Communications and Vodafone for violating MNP rules: The government on Wednesday said telecom regulator Trai has issued showcause notices to Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Loop Telecom, Reliance Communications and Vodafone over alleged violation of mobile number portability regulations. "Trai has received complaints from some customers regarding wrong rejection of porting requests by telecom operators. (PTI)

• 17.08.2011:Enrolment of spouse of working BSNL/DoT employee as DSA: BSNL has issued orders waiving security deposit for enrolment as Direct Selling Agent in case of working BSNL/DoT employee.View orders...

• 17.08.2011:Partial modification in the results of LDCE for promotion to SDE (E) held on 19.06.2011: BSNL has issued partial modification to the results of LDCE for promotion to SDE (Electrical) held on 19.06.11 on re-processing of OMR sheets of Kerala Circle. View orders...

• 16.08.2011:Agreement with State Bank of India: BSNL has signed an agreement with State Bank of India for providing house loan and car loan to BSNL employees. View terms and conditions...

• 12.08.2011:CHQ writes to CMD on Mandatory Training under BSNL Executive Promotion Policy – Migration from class room mode to e-mode – Genuine problems faced by the Executives: 'We shall be thankful, if our suggestions, which speak out the minds of majority of the Executives, are given positive consideration and suitable orders are issued in the earliest, so as to rally support of the Executives for achieving the paradigm shift in the way we learn and update ourselves.' Read More...

• 11.08.2011:Month-wise performance report of Circles with reference to same period in the year 2010: BSNL has published the month-wise performance of Circles during April 2011 to July 2011 in comparison with the income during the same period in the year 2010. View report...  View amended Rule 49 of Pension Rules...

• 11.08.2011:Clarification regarding grant of pension to BSNL absorbees who took VRS on completion of 10 years of qualifying service but less than 20 years: BSNL has circulated DoP&PW clarification vide their ID. no. 4/2/2011-p&pw(D) dated 2.6.2011 that since the linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service has been dispensed with vide oM dated 2.9.2008, thereby any one ritiring in terms of Gentral Civil Services (Pension) Rules , 1972 shall also be eligible for pensionary benefits as per revised rule 49. Revised Rule 49 has no provision for pro-rata pension. Read More...

• 11.08.2011:BSNL inks multiple tower sharing pacts with private telcos viz. TATA, ETisalat DB, Videocon, Aircel, Airtel and R-comm: 'A section of BSNL Circle Heads, however, believe inking tower sharing pacts is easier said than done, especially since a sizeable number of BSNL towers assets sit on rented premises.'Read More...

• 10.08.2011:Mobile Number Portability: ' The main reasons for porting out of subscribers from BSNL and MTNL have been reported to be network / coverage issues, tariff issues etc.' Read More...

• 10.08.2011:Bharti Airtel, Reliance Telecom, Reliance Communications want partial exit from USOF scheme: 'Reliance Communications wants to exit from 4,537 sites out of total of 4,774, while Reliance Telecom wants to quit from 751 out of total 3641 sites. Bharti airtel had sought permission to exit from 81 sites out of 1,174. ' Read More...

• 09.08.2011:DoT should consider giving quasi-judicial powers to Trai - Sibal: 'Last week, Sibal had asked DoT to evolve guidelines to reduce the element of its discretion while deciding penalty for violation of licence conditions and make the process as scientific as possible. As of now the Department of Telecom (DoT) has been levying maximum penalty of Rs 50 crore for all cases of violations of license conditions.' Read More...

• 09.08.2011:Transfer orders in DE/AGM grade: BSNL has issued transfer orders in the grade of DE/AGM. View orders...

• 09.08.2011:Tenure transfers in SDE (Telecom) grade: BSNL has issued tenure transfer orders in SDE (Telecom) grade. View orders...

• 08.08.2011:ZTE partners with BSNL to spruce up broadband connectivity in India: Under the partnership, ZTE will deploy ultra high-speed ADSL2 + and next generation VDSL2+ broadband devices across BSNL networks in 15 circles. Combined with this project, ZTE will command nearly 45% of BSNL's DSL market-share. This is the third time ZTE has won a DSL project from BSNL. Till date, the Chinese broadband equipment vendor has supplied some 30,000 DSLAMs to BSNL. (ET)

• 07.08.2011:BSNL, MTNL lose 6.5L subscribers in MNP race: After implementation of mobile number portability (MNP), the number of BSNL subscribers as on June 30, 2011, who have switched over to other operators stood at 9.33 lakh. The subscribers who have switched over from other service providers and came to BSNL stood at 3.49 lakh, resulting in net out go of 5,84,261 customers, Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. Similarly, MTNL subscribers, who have switched over to other operators at the same period stood at 67,198 and users who have moved in stood at 11,593, resulting in net out go of 55,605 subscribers, he said. (TT)

• 05.08.2011:Draft Staffing Norms for Executives and Non-executives for different roles across the organisation: Director (HR) letter says 'Changes in the existing norms are necessitated because of advancement in technologies, changes in business process, falling landline subscriber base and outsourcing of some of the activities.' View draft norms...

• 04.08.2011:Tenure transfers in DE/AGM grade: BSNL has issued transfer orders to those DEs/AGMs who have completed their tenure and substitutes for them. View orders...

• 04.08.2011:Tenure transfers in SDE (Telecom) grade: BSNL has issued tenure transfer orders in SDE (Telecom) grade. View orders...  View orders...  View orders...

• 03.08.2011:Unsubscribed caller tunes: 'TRAI has recently issued a direction on 4.7.2011 to all service providers that in all cases of activation of value added service, the service provider has to obtain a confirmation from consumers within 24 hours of activation of value added services through SMS or e-mail or fax or in writing, failing which the value added service shall be de-activated without any cost to the consumer.' Read More...

• 02.08.2011:Tenure transfers in SDE (Telecom) grade: BSNL has issued transfer orders to those SDEs (T) who have completed their tenure and substitutes for them. View orders...

• 01.08.2011:Review of Electricity tariff: CHQ had addressed a letter to CMD on 18.03.2011 suggesting various measures for improving revenue and reducing expenditure.View CHQ letter... The top in the list was a proposal on payment of electricity charges on industrial tariff instead of commercial tariff, which 'would result in very huge savings.' BSNL has now written to all Circles to make sure that HT connections fall in 'best tariff consumer category' most suitable to BSNL's interests, which 'would result into huge savings in expenses under the Head "Electricity and Fuel Expenses"'. It may also be seen that action is already underway on the other proposals found in our letter. View circular...