Recently Government of India took decision to freeze the Dearness Relief to the Central Government pensioners, for the period from 01.01.2020 to 01.07.2021. Immediately, the DoT vide it’s letter number 1/Misc/Pen/Issue/BSNL/DDG(Accounts)/2019-Part.1/1407-1439 dated 28.04.2020, issued instruction stating that the BSNL employees retiring in April, 2020,  should be retirement benefits  at the old rate of Dearness Relief, i.e., at 157.3%. Vehemently opposing this arbitrary action of the DoT, BSNLEU wrote to the Secretary, Telecom, on 28.04.2020. In that letter, BSNLEU has stated that the DoT has no authority to deny whatever Dearness Relief already approved to the BSNL pensioners, by the DPE. It may be noted that the DPE, on 03.04.2020 itself has already approved Dearness Relief to BSNL pensioners @160.7%, w.e.f. 01.04.2020. Now, the DoT has gone back from it’s decision of denying Dearness Relief @160.7% to the BSNL employees who retired in April, 2020. It has issued letter yesterday the 26.05.2020, withdrawing it’s letter dated 28.04.2020. In this letter, the DoT has also stated that all pension related benefits be released @160.7% Dearness Relief.

On 27^th March, 2020, the DoP&T has issued a letter stating that, the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) should be exempted, while drawing up the roster of staff who are required to attend essential services. However, this instruction was not implemented in BSNL, since the DoP&T letter was not endorsed by the BSNL Corporate Office. Hence, BSNLEU wrote to the Corporate Office on 02.04.2020, demanding the BSNL Corporate Office to endorse the DoP&T letter. Accepting BSNLEU’s demand, the Corporate Office has issued letter, endorsing the DoP&T letter. Circle Secretaries are requested to kindly ensure the implementation of the DoP&T instruction.

Shri B. L. Varshney, who has been working as the interim Director (EB) has been promoted and posted as the Advisor, AP, LSA. In view of this, the DoT has issued letter, according to which, Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR) has been given the additional charge of the Director (EB) also.

The Ministry of Finance has issued letter today the 23.04.2020, for freezing the Dearness Allowance (DA) of the Central Government employees and pensioners, up to 01.07.2021. As per this letter, the Central Government Employees and pensioners will not be paid any DA for a period of 1 ½ years, i.e., from 01.01.2020 to 01.07.2021. When the DA is restored on 01.07.2021, it will be done only prospectively and no arrears will be paid. The Central Government has taken this retrograde measure, in the name of fighting the crisis created by the Corona Virus Disease. BSNLEU strongly denounces this anti-worker measure of the Modi government.

Consequent to the government's announcing certain concessions in the payment of Income Tax, the BSNL Corporate Office issued letter on 20.04.2020, directing the employees to submit their option to continue in the old tax regime or to switch over to the new tax regime. The last date for submitting this option had been fixed as 28.04.2020. Citing the shortage of time, as well as the difficulties created by the lock-down, due to the COVID-19, BSNLEU wrote to the Sr.GM(Taxation),BSNL CO, demanding to extend the last date by one month. Accepting the demand of BSNLEU, the Corporate Office has issued letter, extending the last date up to 31.05.2020. BSNLEU thanks the Sr.GM (Taxation), for accepting the demand.