BSNL staffers yet to get February salary

Hyderabad: Union leaders have expre-ssed concern over the future of the state-owned telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as lakhs of employees await their February salaries.

A spokesperson for the department of telecom said that the lapse was due to “technical issues” and confirmed that employees will be paid by Holi (March 20), but union members alleged that the issue was a sign of the tough times looming ahead for the ailing firm. This is reportedly the first time that the company has defaulted on salaries in its 18-year history, as its current debt is believed to stand at Rs 13,000 cr.