Guidelines issued by Corporate Office to Maharashtra Circle on caste status verification – Management replied to CHQ about the status.

Based on the persuasion and consistent efforts of CHQ, the Corporate Office has issued guidelines to the Maharashtra Circle seeking clarification and necessary action regarding the long-pending issue of caste status verification in BSNL. On 07^th January 2026, CHQ addressed a letter to the CMD BSNL, requesting immediate intervention for settlement of the prolonged problem arising due to the non-issuance of clear guidelines from the Corporate Office to the Maharashtra Circle. Pursuant to this, the Corporate Office issued a letter to the Maharashtra Circle on 15^th January 2026, directing the Circle Administration to take necessary action on the issue. Subsequently, the Maharashtra Circle Administration has communicated the latest position to the Corporate Office on 27.01.2026, which has since been forwarded to CHQ for information. As per the clarification given by the Circle Administration, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued guidelines on 30.01.2025 to continue provisional pension only to the affected employees. However, all other pensionary benefits such as gratuity, ex-gratia, commutation, etc., are being withheld until completion of the caste status verification process. Although the issue was discussed in the National Council meeting held on 13.01.2025, the Management has failed to resolve the matter through meaningful discussions with the DoT and the CCA, resulting in continued hardship to the affected employees. CHQ reiterates that this issue requires urgent intervention and a permanent solution, and will continue to pursue the matter at the appropriate level to safeguard the legitimate pensionary rights of the affected employees.