Union Minister of Communication Jyotiraditya Scindia reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding a senior BSNL director named Vivek Banzal on Wednesday. The row is over a planned visit by the director to Prayagraj, which involved a detailed itinerary involving about 50 officials and extensive arrangements.
According to the official order, Banzal was scheduled to visit Prayagraj from February 25-26. The order went viral, and subsequently, the trip was cancelled following outrage.
Scindia said that the matter was brought to his notice and condemned the instructions. He called it “shocking” and said that a show-cause notice was issued in response to the case.
BSNL Director Vivek Banjal’s ‘royal visit’ to Prayagraj CANCELLED! Over 50 officers had been deployed to handle even the tiniest details including his underwear! 🫣 A full-blown protocol was issued on Feb 19 to ensure he faced zero inconvenience during the trip. All that pomp…… pic.twitter.com/s4TSGljaF5
— The Nalanda Index (@Nalanda_index) February 23, 2026
About 20 tasks in the order were assigned to nearly 50 BSNL staff.
The tasks in the itinerary include arranging meals, transport, accomodation and personal kits. The list also included towels, toiletries, grooming items and even undergarments.
The task list triggered backlash on social media, and many questioned why a public sector organisation would deploy their junior staff in this manner.
BSNL eventually cancelled the visit.
One company official later also admitted that the document was leaked by mistake and was intended for internal coordination.
In a post on X, the company clarified, “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 has 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.”
One senior BSNL officer who spoke on condition of anonymity to PTI said that the incident appeared to be an ‘attempt to tarnish our image.”
According to the BSNL website, Banzal is a 1987 batch Indian Telecommunication Service officer with over 34 years of experience in the industry.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics, a Master of Engineering in Computer Science and an MBA.
