New Delhi: After a viral row erupted over alleged VVIP arrangements being made for a senior Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Director Vivek Banzal during his proposed Prayagraj visit, the red-faced BSNL has now swung into action.
Principal General Manager (PGM) Brijendra Kumar Singh, who was apparently overseeing the arrangement for Banzal, has been transferred from Prayagraj and posted to Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier, the VVIP protocol letter had been issued from the PGM office itself. The letter reportedly instructed officials — assigning them specific duties — to arrange everything from underwear and vests to mirrors, combs, shampoo and hair oil.
Top BSNL official visit to Prayagraj: 50 junior officials tasked to ensure everything from luxury to bare essentials – even underwear
Travel itinerary of a top BSNL employee’s trip to Prayagraj gives a sneak peek into how this public sector telecom company went to the dogs. More… pic.twitter.com/EddCJn30Id
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) February 23, 2026
Following the letter going viral on social media, the Director’s trip was first postponed, and now disciplinary action has begun.
Show-cause notice to BSNL Director
A show-cause notice has also been issued against the senior BSNL Director, Vivek Banzal, following the controversy. A response has been sought within a week.
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia voiced his regret over the incident, stating that it was “unacceptable”, and the official concerned has been asked to explain it. He added that appropriate action will be taken against him after reviewing the response.
Scindia was quoted as saying by ANI: “I have made it very clear that this is improper and a violation of established rules and traditions. It is unacceptable to me. It is shocking. A show-cause notice has already been issued to the Director with a seven-day response period. We will take appropriate action.”
Trip called off
Banzal’s visit to Prayagraj was cancelled after the itinerary drew flak for all the wrong reasons — listing almost 50 officials on duty and meticulously planning even personal items such as hair oil, underwear and combs.
Banzal was to underatke a two-day visit to Prayagraj from February 25-26.
BSNL Public Relations Officer Ashish Gupta confirmed that the programme had been called off and the issued protocol will now be invalid.