Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd seems to be heading towards a management crisis with almost all of the 1,700 Indian Telecom Services (ITS) Officers deciding to remain government employees. The ITS officers were given two weeks by the Delhi High Court to exercise their option; the deadline expired on May 1.

“We were hoping to get a fresh offer from the Government post the High Court order, but since we haven't received any communication in this regard, 99 per cent of the ITS officers have decided against getting absorbed in BSNL,” a Indian Telecom Services Association spokesperson told Business Line .

Promotion rules

The officers have declined to get absorbed in BSNL because the promotion rules are weaker than in the Government in terms of moving up in pay scale. There are also issues related to pension benefits. In addition, the ITS officers wanted the absorption offer to be made applicable as on date, instead of 2005, to get benefit of the Fifth Pay Commission.

A top BSNL official said that the PSU may move a petition in the court seeking more time to relieve the officers. “We are yet to formally receive the options exercised by the ITS officers. Then we will have 15 days to take legal advice. But since the ITS officers are managing some key functions in BSNL and MTNL, we are looking to approach the court seeking flexibility in relieving them,” the BSNL official said.

But non-ITS executives in BSNL say that the exit by ITS officers will not have any significant impact. “There are other capable talent within the organisation. There are three lakh employees who have opted to get absorbed in BSNL, so ITS officers should also show commitment to the PSU. Every organisation has to have its own structure,” said Mr G. L. Jogi, President, Sanchar Nigam Executive Association.

> tkt@thehindu.co.in

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