ITS officials called back to DoT EITHER SERVE DoT OR MIGRATE TO BSNL, ITS TOLD

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over cyber security and cyber attacks, the information technology and telecommunications ministry have begun calling back officials of the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to their native Department of Telecommunication (DoT).

Late on Thursday, the ministry issued orders transferring the Chief General Managers (CGM) of three states, including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state, back to the DoT.

“The vigilance wing of DoT had only one deputy director general at Hyderabad who was also in charge of all of South India and the Northeast,” the source said.

After gearing up security-related work through DoT, the ministry of information technology and communications (MITC) has increased the strength and we have one Director General and a few DDGs for Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh,” the source said.

MITC is also deputing directors-general to all the major states in a phased manner,” the source said.

An official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said that DoT is a key wing in curbing pornographic websites and security threats through web, mobile phones and telephones.

“Though TRAI issues licences to telecom, cable and internet service providers (ISP), the power to control ISPs lies more with DoT.

“By continuous monitoring of websites, DoT shuts down many restricted websites that carry hate speeches, disturb communal harmony, and indulge in piracy and show pornography,” the official said.

The source from DoT said that the ministry had directed that wings be set up in all states for security, vigilance, monitoring of websites, attending complaints, and coordination with police and other investigation agencies.

“Earlier there was not sufficient infrastructure and facilities, but now we have all the equipment and the ministry is providing as per the indent submitted by our officials,” the source said.

“The ministry has divided DoT wings from Hyderabad like the Northeast, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu,” the source said. A decade after Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was established on September 15, 2000) as a limited firm, bifurcated from the Department of Telecommunications and privatised, the government gave Indian Telecom Service officers the option to serve with DoT, or to be migrated to BSNL where they would not be designated as Indian Telecom Service officers.

Though there were rapid promotions for those who opted for BSNL, there was a condition that they would not return to their native department. So, only a few ITS officers opted for BSNL.

“Now, as the ministry of information technology and telecommunications is concentrating on strengthening the department, it is calling back the officers who did not merge with BSNL and were waiting for decision of the ministry,” an official said.