Vivek Banzal- BSNL director

PRAYAGRAJ: The protocol assigned to a top BSNL official during his forthcoming Prayagraj sojourn has caused much embarrassment to the beleaguered govt-run entity for its rather quirky details down to the ‘bare essentials’.The ‘royal treatment’ has sparked social media buzz, with a leaked plan showing 50 officials tasked with arranging breakfast, lunch, escorts, and even Sangam snan kits with towels, undergarments, and hair oil. Following the uproar, the order now stands cancelled. A senior official confirmed that the order was cancelled after it was leaked accidentally.

According to reports, the top official’s visit was scheduled for Feb 25 and 26, during which he had to also hold review meetings and offer prayers at a Jain pilgrimage site in Kaushambi. A detailed protocol order was chalked out by BSNL authorities on Feb 19, with a whopping 50-strong team roped in to manage the visit of director (CFA). Committees were formed to handle everything — from meetings to personal comforts. Welcome kits had water bottles and chocolate, chips and fruit juice, while personal-use kits came with new towels, undies, sleepers and grooming essentials. The officials were also asked to arrange two white Innova cars with new towels.The order also mentioned the minute-to-minute details of the top BSNL official’s itinerary and assigned roles and responsibilities to the officers and officials concerned for different spots. The order also read: “It is requested to all officers/officials for active participation, efforts and contribution towards successful completion of the visit scheduled.” The order had four separate columns, including programme, description, committee member, and date and time.All officials and staff were told to ensure that the visit went off without a hitch. Committee members were held responsible for completing their tasks on time.As the order was issued, it went viral on social media and people fumed over the protocol having senior officers handling toiletries. Amid online uproar, the order was cancelled with immediate effect on Feb 20. “BSNL has standing instructions in place regarding the manner in which official visits are to be handled. An instance of non-adherence to the same has been taken note of. The instance noted is not in conformity with the professional standards and values of BSNL. Appropriate action have been taken against the concerned. Further, instructions have been issued reiterating strict adherence to extant instructions. BSNL employees are reminded to strictly adhere to prescribed conduct rules and instructions in this regard,” BSNL India posted on its X handle.When contacted, a senior BSNL official admitted the protocol for a top honcho’s visit was accidentally leaked online. “The order was meant to assign duties to the officials concerned about their roles and responsibilities as per the protocol plan assuming that each official should perform their assigned duties during the visit,” he said.