What's The BSNL Director Vivek Banzal Row? Order On Hair Oil, Undergarments & More, Cancels Prayagraj Tour

A detailed BSNL internal order for a Prayagraj visit listing personal items and extensive staffing triggered public debate and cancellation. BSNL responded with reminders of prescribed conduct and protocol, while officials noted the episode contrasts with the officer’s career profile and ongoing digital initiatives.

A detailed programme for BSNL director Vivek Banzal’s visit to Prayagraj was scrapped after an internal office order went viral, drawing criticism for listing personal items such as hair oil, undergarments and combs, and assigning nearly 50 officials to handle arrangements over the proposed two-day schedule.

The document showed the Prayagraj tour, described almost like a royal schedule, was planned for February 25 and February 26. By February 20, several officers named in the order confirmed that the trip had been cancelled, after screenshots circulated widely across social media platforms and triggered public debate.

BSNL director Prayagraj visit plan and elaborate arrangements

The order split close to 20 separate duties among around 50 BSNL officials. Tasks ranged from logistics and transport to religious visits and hospitality. Officials were instructed to coordinate Banzal’s travel, stay, and rituals, while also keeping extra kits ready for accompanying personnel, including six male kits and two female kits.

On arrival in Prayagraj, Banzal was scheduled to bathe at the Sangam, take a boat ride, and visit Bade Hanuman Mandir, Akshayavat and Patalpuri temples. A 'snan’ kit was specified for use at the ghat, and another instruction asked for one bedsheet for general use there.

BSNL director Prayagraj visit kits and hospitality details

The 'snan’ kits and room amenities were itemised in detail in the order. Each bathing kit contained a towel, undergarment, slippers, comb, mirror and an oil bottle. Hotel and Circuit House rooms were to be stocked with personal care items, fruits and dry fruits for Banzal and others present.

These arrangements included separate hospitality kits, as listed below.

A senior BSNL officer posted in Prayagraj told PTI, on condition of anonymity, that the episode appeared designed to damage reputations, but declined to answer further questions. The officer did not clarify who drafted the order or how the detailed instructions were circulated so widely.

BSNL India later responded publicly. In a post on X on February 21, the company stated, "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." The post added, "Appropriate action has been taken against the concerned."

The same statement continued, "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," indicating the corporation treated the matter as a deviation from normal procedure and had issued a wider reminder on protocol.

According to information on the BSNL website, Banzal is an Indian Telecommunication Service officer from the 1987 batch, with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics, a Master of Engineering in Computer Science and an MBA, and has more than 34 years’ experience managing telecom networks across India in different roles.

The website note on Banzal added, "Since 2016, he has been promoting and managing Bharat Fiber, BSNL IT framework, and other services. His vision has led to the digitization of processes and the introduction of innovative solutions for customers," placing the cancelled Prayagraj programme in contrast with Banzal’s long career profile and BSNL’s stated professional standards.