Why the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh is Urging PM Modi for BSNL Leadership Changes

BMS Calls for Immediate Action on BSNL Leadership

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting his immediate intervention to appoint a permanent Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) for BSNL, as the current additional-charge arrangement has persisted for over two years.

The labor union, affiliated with the RSS, emphasized the necessity for stable and accountable leadership at BSNL through a properly appointed CMD.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Ashok Kumar, the All India Secretary and Telecom Prabhari of BMS, urged him to instruct the Department of Telecommunications to expedite the appointment process for a regular CMD, without extending the current arrangement any further.

Additionally, the BMS called on Modi to ensure a thorough review of significant administrative, HR, operational, and project decisions made during this extended additional-charge period, especially concerning the cancellation or re-issuing of tenders and decisions with major financial or operational impacts.

A Robert Jerard Ravi has been serving in the additional charge of CMD since July 15, 2024, with this temporary arrangement being extended multiple times.

Kumar pointed out that this arrangement was initially meant to be a short-term solution, typically lasting three to six months.

He argued that such an additional-charge setup should not serve as a means to keep an officer in a position indefinitely, particularly someone who was ineligible to apply for the role as of the cut-off date for the current notification issued on July 22, 2026.

The BMS noted that prior to taking on the CMD role, Ravi had not managed even a small business area within BSNL's telecom circles, raising concerns about his capability to lead such a large organization.

As BSNL navigates a crucial phase of revival, the organization needs consistent and rule-based leadership through a regularly appointed CMD, rather than ongoing extensions of temporary arrangements, Kumar stated.

The BMS expressed that the current leadership lacks the professionalism necessary to drive BSNL towards growth. They highlighted that BSNL had made significant strides in regaining market share and profitability until June 2024, following the first revival package, but has since seen a decline under the current management.

Concerns have been raised regarding various decisions made after July 2024, particularly those related to project execution, IT systems, critical tenders, operational decision-making, and HR matters.

The union reported that several tenders were canceled or closed prematurely without sufficient justification, leading to legal disputes and arbitration, while some procurements were being restarted at much higher costs.

The procurement of 24F armored optical fiber cable and IN equipment, among others, warrants scrutiny, according to the BMS, which also noted that decision-making within BSNL has been significantly hampered, with even board members facing limitations in their respective areas.

Moreover, delays in decisions regarding AMC arrangements for essential data centers, underutilization of procured hardware, and frequent transfers of experienced personnel have raised operational concerns.

Timely technical assessments and continuity are crucial for decisions impacting critical IT and customer-facing infrastructure, especially as BSNL is engaged in a major revival and transformation initiative.

On the HR front, the BMS pointed out that deviations from established policies and an increasing reliance on discretionary interpretations have led to widespread employee dissatisfaction and numerous legal grievances, including adverse judicial remarks against Ravi.

The ongoing issues such as standard pay scales, 30 percent Superannuation Benefit (SAB), a non-transparent transfer policy, and lack of a clear promotion policy are demoralizing the workforce.

The BMS characterized BSNL as a vital national telecom asset, essential for achieving the government's telecom objectives, including the Swadeshi 4G project, which has positioned India among the few nations with its own indigenous 4G technology.

With a nationwide presence and a dedicated workforce of over 52,000, along with substantial government support through various revival packages, BSNL was expected to outperform private competitors. However, the market share has continued to decline, Kumar concluded.