Question : PENSIONARY BENEFITS TO BSNL EMPLOYEES

(a) whether at the time of formation of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Litnted (BSNL) employees who have opted to join BSNL were assured that the Union Government will provide pensionery benefits to them;

(b) if so, the facts thereof;

(c) whether those employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have been provided the merger of fifty per cent dearness allowance relief with pension w.e.f. 01-04-2004 and entend the benefit of Sixth Central Pay Commission w.e.f. January, 2006;

(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The BSNL optees are covered by Rule 37-A of CCS (Pension) rules, 1972 which contains relevant provisions for the same.

(c),(d) & (e): Orders related to merger of fifty per cent dearness allowance relief with pension w.e.f. 01-04-2004 are applicable to central government employees only and not to BSNL optee employees. While sixth central pay commission recommendations are meant for central government employees, the applicable benefits of these recommendations have been extended to BSNL optee employees as per Rule 37-A of CCS (Pension) rules, 1972.