Kollam: BSNL is set to send back Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) officers who have been working with the company on deputation for nearly 25 years. The process is underway to appoint 100 new General Managers in the telecom stream on a contract basis. With their appointment, the ITS officers will be sent back in phases. The move is aimed at reducing BSNL’s dependence on civil service officers and strengthening the company’s management.

As BSNL moves towards 5G, the Central Government had asked the company to develop a new generation of General Managers from within the organisation. The new appointments are intended to prevent a leadership vacuum when officers return after completing their deputation tenure. As BSNL expands its 4G and 5G services, it is looking for professionals with at least 15 years of experience in the telecom and IT sectors. Both BSNL employees and eligible external candidates can apply. Although the appointments will be on contract, the selected candidates will receive a monthly salary of Rs 2.25 lakh, along with an annual increment of 5 per cent. This is considerably lower than the expenditure involved in paying the salaries and benefits of ITS officers.

BSNL has accepted applications only from qualified senior professionals. A BSNL committee is examining the online applications received. The maximum age limit for applicants is 50 years. Candidates must hold a BE or BTech degree and have 15 years of work experience, including at least 5 years in senior executive or DGM-level positions. Employee organisations are protesting against the decision to directly appoint external candidates to senior positions without promoting eligible employees within the company.