The National Federation of Telecom Employees of BSNL today demanded that Union Telecom Minister A Raja be either dropped from cabinet or his portfolio be changed, pending completion of the CBI inquiry into the alleged scam in allocation of 2G spectrum.

The CAG report had pointed finger at Raja for being responsible of causing a loss of Rs 1.7 lakh crore to the ex-chequer, NFET Deputy General Secretary C K Madhivanan said, adding the Supreme Court had also raised questions on Raja's continuance at the office.

The federation wanted a thorough probe into the scam.

Under these circumstances, Raja should have quit office on his own, Madhivanan told reporters here.

On the issue of bonus, he said, the federation was awaiting the company board's decision. BSNL employees, who have been enjoying bonus for the last 30 years, are disappointed because bonus was not declared under the pretext that BSNL had incurred loss of Rs 1,822 crore in 2009-10 fiscal.

Claiming that it was a false calculation and wrong statement of account, he said there had been a substantial increase of revenue over the last few years.

He pointed out though postal services staff were paid bonus, despite the department incurring "perennial" losses.

On declaration of closed holiday for BSNL offices in Tamil Nadu circle on November 5 for deepavali festival, he said it was wrong and should not be made a precedent.