(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that BSNL contract workers in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts have not received their salaries regularly since January 2019 and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(b) the time by which the salary due to these workers will get fully cleared?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) & (b) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has informed that wages of the contract workers deployed by the contractors in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts have been paid upto the month of March 2020. Due to poor financial situation of BSNL, payment to contractors have been delayed. The situation in the current financial year aggravated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BSNL has further informed that funds are released and payments are being made in phases depending upon the availability of funds.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed BSNL to look into the issue of timely payment to contract workers on priority. Further, to strengthen the BSNL, the Government approved a revival plan of BSNL.