New Delhi: The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has issued a pre-notice to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, giving the government two months to resolve long-pending pay and retirement benefit issues affecting Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) employees.
In a letter dated 23 October, 2026, the trade union sought government intervention on the implementation of the Third Pay Revision Committee (3rd PRC), pending matters under the Second PRC (2nd PRC), revised executive pay scales and a 30% contribution towards Superannuation Benefits (SAB) for BSNL recruits.
The notice, issued on behalf of executives and non-executives, warns that BMS will launch a nationwide agitation if the demands remain unresolved within the stipulated period.
Third PRC Implementation Among Key Demands
BMS has called for a time-bound decision on implementing the 3rd PRC in BSNL, including a waiver of the affordability clause that has held up the pay revision.
The union has also linked the issue to the pending pension revision for employees of BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).
Another demand is an initial basic pay of Rs 35,400 for Junior Engineers recruited by BSNL. BMS has argued that the affordability condition should not continue to delay employee benefits.
Union Seeks Resolution of Pending Pay Scales
The organisation has also raised unresolved issues under the Second PRC, including demands for standard pay scales for executives in different grades.
Its demands include:
E2 pay scale: For Junior Telecom Officers (JTOs), Junior Accounts Officers (JAOs) and equivalent grades.
E3 pay scale: For Senior Divisional Engineers (SDEs), Accounts Officers (AOs) and equivalent grades.
Superannuation benefits: Full 30% contribution towards Superannuation Benefits (SAB) for BSNL recruits.
According to BMS, these matters have remained unresolved despite repeated representations to the authorities.
BMS Objects to Further Procedural Delays
The union has questioned the continued reliance on affordability and profitability as grounds for withholding employee benefits, arguing that BSNL's public service responsibilities should also be considered.
It has also raised concerns over fresh clarifications sought by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in a letter dated 17 October, 2026. BMS has called for a concrete decision and a time-bound action plan instead of further correspondence.
Union Cites BSNL Employees’ Role in Expanding Connectivity
BMS has pointed to the role of BSNL employees in providing telecommunications services in remote and commercially unviable areas, supporting the rollout of India’s indigenous 4G technology and extending connectivity to underserved communities.
The union has also cited employees’ work in maintaining services during natural disasters and other difficult circumstances. It has argued that their contribution to public connectivity and national infrastructure should be considered when deciding pay and retirement benefits.
Nationwide Agitation Threatened After Two Months
BMS has asked the Communications Ministry to ensure that the outstanding demands are addressed within two months. If no resolution is reached, the union has warned of a nationwide Aandolan under its banner.
The notice puts the pending pay revision and superannuation issues back before the government, with the next two months likely to determine whether the union proceeds with its proposed agitation.
