Uttar Pradesh Government Begins Migration of Secretariat Mobile Connections to BSNL

The Uttar Pradesh government has started the process of migrating official mobile connections used by approximately 4,200 employees at the Lucknow Secretariat from Vodafone Idea to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), according to reports.
The transition affects employees across various departments and roles, including computer assistants, review officers, section officials, and senior administrative personnel. As part of the migration, BSNL has begun distributing new Closed User Group (CUG) SIM cards through the Secretariat’s Telephone Cell.
The move follows the state government’s decision to shift its official telecommunications services to the state-owned telecom operator. However, the rollout has prompted concerns among employees regarding the potential impact on official communications.
A key issue raised by staff is the allocation of new mobile numbers instead of retaining existing ones. Many employees have used their current CUG numbers for several years, and these numbers are integrated into departmental records, administrative databases, official contact directories, and emergency communication systems.
According to reports, a delegation of Secretariat employees recently met senior government officials to discuss the challenges associated with changing established contact numbers. Employees have expressed concerns that replacing existing numbers could lead to communication disruptions and create administrative difficulties during the transition period.
Staff representatives have urged the government to adopt Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which would allow employees to retain their current numbers while migrating to the BSNL network. They argue that retaining existing numbers would help maintain communication continuity and reduce the need to update contact information across multiple government platforms and records.
To support the migration process, government departments have been instructed to appoint coordinating officers responsible for collecting employee details, including names, designations, and corporate eHRMS codes. The information will be used to facilitate the issuance and activation of BSNL SIM cards.
The migration represents a significant telecommunications transition for the Uttar Pradesh government as it consolidates official communication services under BSNL. Discussions regarding number retention and operational continuity are expected to remain central as the implementation progresses.
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