31.10.2010:Random testing of telecom tower radiations to start next month: Worried about reports of a clear link between serious ailments and strong radiation emanating from mobile towers, the government has taken a tough stance and will start random testing of towers next month, with a huge penalty proposed in case of non-compliance with norms. (ET)

29.10.2010:CABINET MEMO FOR REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS: Finally, the Cabinet Memo proposing revision of pension of the pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners has been sent for approval of the cabinet. (AIBSNLREA)

28.10.2010:BSNL plans $3.5 billion tender: 'This contract will provide the company with sufficient capacity till 2013.“To take care of the long-term expansion requirements, BSNL has planned to expand its mobile network by a capacity of 20 million lines each in 2011-12 and 2012-13,” the telco said in its status report that was sent to the telecom department earlier this month.' Read More...

27.10.2010:Maximum amount of leave encashable at the time of retirement: BSNL has issued orders that the leave encashed at the time of LTC will not be deducted from the overall accumulation limit of 300 days encashable at the time of retirement. Encashment will be allowed upto ten days earned leave at the time of availing LTC to the extent of 60 days during the entire career. View orders...

26.10.2010:Notes to Accounts (Schedule U of BSNL Financial Statement for the period ending 31-3-2010): Read the Notes...

24.10.2010:TRAI to examine DoT proposal to merge Circles into one Zone: 'Trai will examine a recent Department of Telecom (DoT) proposal to merge all 22 telecom circles in the country into a single service area, a move that could lead to the end of costly roaming charges for Indian mobile phone users, an official said on Sunday.' Read More...

22.10.2010:Increase in IDA w.e.f. 1.10.2010: BSNL has endorsed DPE orders revising IDA w.e.f. 1.10.2010 by 4.7% from 35.1% to 39.8%. View BSNL endorsement...

21.10.2010:Increase in IDA w.e.f. 1.10.2010: DPE has issued orders for increase in IDA w.e.f. from 1.10.2010, by 4.7% from 35.1% to 39.8%.  View orders...

21.10.2010:CABINET MEMO FOR REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-2007 BSNL PENSIONERS: The Cabinet Memo proposing revision of pension of the pre-2007 absorbed BSNL pensioners is likely to be sent for approval of the cabinet within the next few days. (AIBSNLREA-20.10.2010)

20.10.2010:Inter-circle transfers in STS (Telecom): BSNL has issued inter-circle transfer orders in STS (Telecom) grade.  View orders...

19.10.2010:BSNL adds highest number of new mobile subscribers in September: BSNL managed to add the highest number of new mobile subscribers in September with 2.34 million additions. This is the first time since many years that BSNL has managed to achieve this feat. Uninor followed BSNL in adding the highest number of new subscribers with 2.17 million additions. Market leader Bharti Airtel added 2 million while Vodafone Essar managed 1.7 million. Let us keep it up. View figures...

18.10.2010:CHQ writes to CMD on Predicament of SDE grade of Civil/Electrical/Architecture wing in BSNL on denial of promotion to EE grade in respect of non-graduates: 'Recently, BSNL on 12.10.2010 has extended the relaxation in qualifications specified for all other streams in BSNL by inserting clauses as Note 4, 5 and 6 below Note 3 of Schedule ID of the said BSNL MS RR. Thus Executives in all the streams in BSNL viz. Telecom Operations, Telecom Finance, Telecom Factory, the CSS/CSSS cadres and others will be eligible for promotion to STS grade irrespective of qualification on the date of notification BSNL MS RR, i.e. 14.7.2009, whereas the Executives of Civil/Electrical/Architect stream will continue to be denied their due promotion to STS grade.' Read More...

15.10.2010:Guidelines for issue of two separate medical cards: BSNL has decided two separate medical cards one for the employee and the other for the family members residing in some other city.  View Circular...

15.10.2010:Revised cut-off date for joining on promotion to STS Adhoc: BSNL has issued orders extending the cut-off date upto 15th November 2010 for joining on promotion  to STS (Telcom) on adhoc basis.  View orders...

12.10.2010:CHQ writes to the Secretary DPE on Non-grant of benefit of merger of 50% IDA with basic pay for fitment purpose in BSNL: 'The DPE, which is the authority in deciding issues related to pay revision of all CPSE employees cannot absolve itself of its responsibility and remain a silent spectator.' Read More...

12.10.2010:Pay fixation of JTO (Civil) and equivalent cadres of Civil Engineering Stream on grant of financial upgradation of 1st ACP: BSNL has issued orders bringing JE (C) with 1st ACP to the upgraded IDA pay scale of Rs.11875-17275.  View orders...

12.10.2010:Amendment to BSNL Management Services Recruitment Rules: BSNL has issued amendment to BSNL MS RR by inserting additional clauses 4, 5 and 6 in Schedule ID. View amendment...

11.10.2010: Time limit for framing rules and regulations on conversion of Govt. Department into PSUs/autonomous/statutory body: DoP&T has issued instructions that, "where there is a conversion of a Government Department into PSUs/autonomous/statutory body, there must be a time frame within which a new body shall frame its rules and regulations.  At the end of this period, all employees on deemed deputation should have opted either to be permanently absorbed in the new organisation or revert to the Government." View O.M...

10.10.2010:R.K.Upadhyay to head BSNL as CMD: R K Upadhyay ITS 1975 who is presently serving as CMD, Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) will reportedly take over as CMD of BSNL this week.

07.10.2010:Supply of 3G Data Cards: AIBSNLOA (alone) had sought the attention of CMD through its letter dated 5.8.2010 [view letter] that "the field units are facing acute problems due to short supply of 3 G Data Cards when there is a considerable demand for it in the market." and had requested to "ensure smooth supply of 3-G data cards so that we can take the advantage of being the lone service provider of 3-G Services and capture the market before entry of other service providers in this field." BSNL has today issued a circular to all Circles stating that, "complaints were received from various circle, unions and associations regarding poor availability of Data cards. .....now sufficient data cards are available." "...we need to capture market and make full use of our first mover advantage." View Circular...   view Annexure...

06.10.2010:BSNL threatens to stop WiMax roll out across rural India: 'The state-owned telecom company has written to the telecom department it is against rolling out services on the WiMAX technological platform without adequate financial support.' Read More...

04.10.2010:CHQ writes to CMD on Wrong interpretation of clarification in Executive Promotion Policy: 'The condition of “completion of 6 years (maximum period) in the same IDA scale” has been misinterpreted by some Circles like West Bengal/Kolkatta Telephones District and time bound upgradation is being implemented only after completion of 6 years irrespective of the fact that the pay in the current IDA scale has crossed / touched the lowest of the higher IDA scale in four / five years.' Read More...

04.10.2010: Transfers in STS (T) grade: BSNL has issued transfer orders to the STS (T) who have completed their tenure. View orders...

01.10.2010: DoT amends NLD, ILD licence policies: Department of telecommunications (DoT) has amended national long distance (NLD) and international long distance (ILD) licences incorporating a clause that puts onus on the operators for security of the networks. The operators will be imposed a penalty of Rs 50 crore in case a security breach is detected in case of purchase of equipment.The DoT also said that the companies (operators) shall work towards a phased plan to take over the maintenance of the equipment -- the operation and maintenance of licencees' networks shall be entirely by Indian engineers, and dependence on foreign engineers shall be minimal and/or almost nil within a period of 2-3 years from the date of this amendment. (TT)