CHQ vide letter dated 03-06-2020 addressed to both Secretary, DoT and CMD,BSNL had strongly objected to denial of retirement benefits and ex-gratia to the 199 VRS retirees of Maharashtra. In the letter it was pointed out that the VRS retirees are not responsibe for non-confirmation of their caste; on the contrary it was the sole responsibility of the appointing authority to get the caste verified during the initial period of their service. Therfore, there is absolutely no justification in asking these VRS retirees for confirmation of their caste after retirement.

Now, BSNL has issued  clarification and asked to immediately settle the pending issues of VRS retirees. Regarding caste certificate cases, it has been stated that their ex-gratia settlement will be suject to confirmation of caste. That means all other retirement benefits are to be paid immediately. But there is no justification to defer the ex-gratia payment also as no case or disciplinary proceedings are pending against these 199 VRS retirees.