Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited?s (BSNL) workforce-related issues continue. Over 1,600 Indian Telecom Service officers were on its payrolls, since the incumbent was separated from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as an independent entity.
However, in November 2011, these officers wished to return to DoT, on grounds of better compensation. Thereafter, BSNL relieved 400 executives.
The remaining 1,200 officers wanted to follow suit and at the time, DoT had considered placing them in a surplus cell in the Department of Human Resources.
Thereafter, the Delhi High Court asked these executives to take a call within two weeks on whether they want to shift back to BSNL or remain government employees. The Court had also specified that those officials opting to stay in the government ought to be re-employed.
These officers had subsequently said that they do not wish to rejoin BSNL. So, in response, the Delhi High Court asked DoT to re-absorb these officers.
Now, given the paucity of vacancies, DoT is planning to obtain the Additional Solicitor General of India?s opinion on this issue.
