VRS is purely voluntary – we will not allow the Management to force employees to go on VRS.

Implementation of VRS in BSNL and MTNL is one of the aspects of the revival package approved by the Cabinet on 23.10.2019. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications, informed the media persons on the same day that, implementation of VRS in BSNL & MTNL will be purely voluntary, which means no one will be forced to go on VRS. However, efforts are being made by the BSNL Management to create panic among the employees and force them to go on VRS. The speech delivered by Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, on 25.10.2019, at the BSNL Corporate Office is aimed at creating panic among the employees. Shri P.K. Purwar has made that reckless speech, without knowing the dedication and work culture of the BSNL Executives and Non-Executives who have voluntarily implemented schemes like “Customer Delight Movement”, “Service With A Smile” and “BSNL At Your Door Steps”, to improve BSNL’s quality of service, revenue collections and customer satisfaction. Hence, Shri P.K.Purwar’s speech has received all-round condemnation. Further, we wish to point out that in the revival package approved by the Cabinet on 23.10.2019, which was published in the Press Information Bureau (PIB), there is no mention about reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58. However, efforts are being made to create panic among the employees, by spreading rumours that 58 years will also be implemented in BSNL. We have already made it clear that at the time of formation of BSNL, the Cabinet has given categorical commitment about retirement age of BSNL employees, which will be as per government rules. Hence, employees need not become panicky. We will also not allow the Management to compel any employee to go on VRS, by creating panic.