SC refuses to vacate HC stay on DoT plan

The Supreme Court today dismissed the government's petition seeking to vacate stay orders passed by the high courts of Uttaranchal and Gauhati on implementation of a contingency plan with regard to absorption of 2,200 Indian Telecom Services officers in MTNL and BSNL.

A division bench of Justice Ruma Pal and Justice B N Srikrishna, however, asked the high courts to decide the matters pending before them as expeditiously as possible preferably within four weeks from today.

The bench asked the Centre to go back to the respective high court to get vacated the interim order staying the implementation of the contingency plan.

The DoT had moved the Supreme Court yesterday, following refusal of Group A telecom officers, currently on deputation with MTNL and BSNL, to accept the absorption package approved by the Union Cabinet.

Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran had yesterday ruled out any further negotiations with the Indian Telecom Service Association (ITSA), saying the deadline for absorption had already expired on October 10.

Reacting to the court order, ITSA President S S Sirohi said, "We are extremely satisfied and happy with the decision of the Supreme Court. It vindicates our stand and our faith in the judiciary."