Parliament Question: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Engages

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4111 ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2026 BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED (BSNL) ENGAGES

4111. SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:

WILL the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) engages with approved contractors for contract labour for the operation and maintenance of basic telecom services including office upkeep, driving, conservancy, tower maintenance and Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) maintenance and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the provisions of the relevant labour laws and rules including payment of minimum wages, Employees' Provident Fund, Employees' State Insurance, Bonus, maintenance of attendance registers and issuance of wage slips are being duly implemented in respect of such contract workers and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of the category-wise minimum wages fixed and payable to contract workers engaged in office upkeep, driving, conservancy, tower maintenance and Optical Fibre Cable

(OFC) maintenance in BSNL along with the details of the applicable wage rates; and

(d) the details of names and designations of the officers designated as the Principal Employer or otherwise responsible for monitoring the engagement of contractors and ensuring compliance with labour laws in respect of the contract labour system in each BSNL Telecom circle along with the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (d) BSNL engages contractors through a transparent tendering process, in accordance with its procurement policy and applicable statutory provisions, for providing services (Service Level Agreement based) for the operation and maintenance of basic telecom services including office upkeep, driving, conservancy, tower maintenance and Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) maintenance.

The contract stipulates compliance with all applicable labour laws and statutory provisions, including payment of minimum wages, Employees’ Provident Fund, Employees’ State Insurance, Bonus and maintenance of statutory records as applicable.

Circle Head/Business Area Head is responsible for monitoring the engagement of contractors. The statutory compliance with labour laws lies with the contractor with oversight by the BSNL. *****