In a strategic move to reduce the workforce, Government of India has proposed VRS scheme for BSNL and MTNL employees. Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) guidelines and procedures will be announced by BSNL and MTNL. The Government has also proposed merge of these telecom organisations.
Eligibility Criteria for BSNL / MTNL VRS Scheme:
It is learnt that the Government has already prepared guidelines for VRS scheme in MTNL and BSNL. Employees who are willing to avail VRS benefits must come under an eligibility criteria. These are as follows:
Important Guidelines:
The beneficiary must have completed 31 years of total service or he / she must have attained an age of 55 years in the organisation. These have to be confirmed by the organisations concerned. The employees and MTNL and BSNL have been demanding for VRS for a long time. There will be a panel to finalise VRS guidelines.
1.15 lakh employees:
It is estimated that BSNL has around 1 lakh employees while MTNL has another 15000 workforce who may come under the eligibility criteria of VRS scheme. VRS for all the employees will cost the Government around Rs.24000 crore.
MTNL employees have welcomed the VRS proposal but the BSNL employees are opposing the move by Government of India on the concerns of job loss.