BMS Issues Two-Month Ultimatum to Centre, Threatens Nationwide Aandolan Over BSNL Employees’ Demands

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has served a pre-notice on Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, warning of a nationwide agitation if the long-pending demands of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) employees are not resolved within two months.

In a letter dated October 23, 2026, the BMS has sought the government’s urgent intervention to resolve issues concerning the implementation of the Third Pay Revision Committee (3rd PRC), pending matters related to the Second PRC (2nd PRC), revised pay scales for executives and the extension of full 30% contribution towards Superannuation Benefits (SAB) for BSNL recruits.

The notice, issued on behalf of BSNL executives and non-executives, states that the time has come for decisive government intervention, arguing that repeated requests for clarifications and procedural delays cannot substitute for a concrete decision.

The trade union has warned that it will be compelled to launch a nationwide Aandolan under the BMS banner if the demands remain unresolved within the stipulated two-month period.

BMS Seeks Time-Bound Implementation of 3rd PRC

A key demand raised by BMS is the implementation of the 3rd PRC in BSNL. The organisation has called for a time-bound decision granting BSNL the necessary waiver from the affordability clause to facilitate the implementation of the pay revision.

According to the union, resolving this issue would also help address the long-pending demand for pension revision for BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) employees.

BMS has additionally demanded the extension of an initial basic pay of Rs 35,400 to BSNL-recruited Junior Engineers (JEs).

The union maintains that the affordability clause should not indefinitely delay legitimate employee benefits, particularly in an organisation that continues to shoulder significant public service responsibilities.

Pending 2nd PRC Issues Remain Unresolved

The BMS has also pressed for the settlement of residual issues arising from the Second Pay Revision Committee.

Its demands include the implementation of standard E2 pay scales for Junior Telecom Officers (JTOs), Junior Accounts Officers (JAOs) and equivalent grades, along with E3 pay scales for Senior Divisional Engineers (SDEs), Accounts Officers (AOs) and equivalent grades.

The organisation has further demanded a full 30% contribution towards Superannuation Benefits for BSNL recruits.

These issues, according to the union, have remained pending despite repeated representations, leaving employees awaiting a resolution on matters directly affecting their remuneration and retirement benefits.

BMS Questions Affordability-Based Denial of Employee Benefits

In its communication to the Communications Minister, BMS has argued that legitimate employee benefits should not be denied merely on the grounds of affordability or profitability.

The union has emphasised that BSNL performs vital national functions that cannot be assessed solely through commercial considerations.

It has also expressed concern over the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking fresh clarifications from BSNL on the outstanding issues. Referring to a DoT letter dated October 17, 2026, BMS has argued that further correspondence risks prolonging a process that has already taken considerable time.

The organisation has called for an immediate, concrete and time-bound action plan rather than additional procedural exchanges.

Telecom Warriors’ Contribution to Nation-Building Highlighted

Making a strong case for its demands, BMS has highlighted the contribution of BSNL employees in extending telecommunications services to remote and commercially unviable areas of the country.

The union has credited the workforce with supporting the deployment of India’s indigenous 4G technology stack, helping expand connectivity and bridge the digital divide between rural and urban India.

BSNL employees have also continued to provide telecommunications services during natural disasters and challenging geopolitical situations, often under difficult operating conditions.

BMS has argued that these contributions to national development and digital inclusion deserve recognition through the timely settlement of employees’ legitimate demands.

The union’s position is that the public service obligations shouldered by BSNL employees must be taken into account while deciding their pay and retirement benefits.

Two Months for Resolution Before Nationwide Agitation

BMS has asked the Ministry of Communications to ensure that all the demands outlined in its pre-notice are addressed within two months.

The notice places the responsibility on the government to facilitate a resolution to the long-pending pay revision and superannuation-related issues affecting BSNL employees.

If the demands remain unresolved after the stipulated period, the organisation has warned that it will launch a nationwide agitation.

The development signals a possible escalation of labour unrest in the state-owned telecommunications company, with BMS seeking to bring the outstanding employee issues to a decisive conclusion through government intervention.

The coming two months will therefore be crucial for determining whether the government and BSNL management can reach a resolution or face a nationwide mobilisation over the demands of the company’s executives and non-executives.