Telecom PSUs BSNL and MTNL are planning to cut their workforce by 1.21 lakh by offering voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) to staff, which will cost them over Rs 17,445 crore. Both the companies have requested the Department of Telecom (DoT) to finance their VRS and refund the BWA spectrum charges paid by them.
DoT has received proposal from BSNL and MTNL for VRS in order to cut workforce by one lakh and 21,000 respectively. It has estimated Rs. 12,371 crores as likely expenditure on ex- gratia for BSNL and Rs 5,074 crore for MTNL. In addition, there will be expenditure on normal retirement benefits viz gratuity, pension, leave encashment and transfer grant.
Both the firms have requested DoT to surrender their Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum in certain circles and refund of the one-time upfront BWA spectrum charges that is Rs 4533.97 crore by MTNL and Rs 6724.51 crore by BSNL.
