United Forum of AIBSNLEA & AIGETOA held a meeting with the Dir(HR) along with the Sr GM(SR), GM(Estt), GM(Pers), GM(FP), Addl GM(BW), AGM(Elect) in the Board room at 12 hrs to discuss the following demands. GS, AGS (C/E/A/TF), FS and AFS from AIBSNLEA and GS, CS Delhi, CWC Member Delhi from AIGETOA attended the meeting. The Dir (HR) mentioned that the HR cell is for the employees and all genuine issues should be resolved in favor of the employees to motivate them so that they contribute their utmost to the BSNL for restoring its lost glory. UF assured its fullest cooperation. Dir (HR) initiated discussions on the four demands of the UF as hereunder:

 

1) Superannuation benefits to Direct Recruited executives as per the provision of sub-rule (23) of rule 37A of CCS pension rule and as per DPE guidelines: BSNL should contribute 12% of Basic + DA as Superannuation Benefits in respect of Direct Recruits and the effective date of implementation of Superannuation benefits of BSNL Recruited Employees must be 01.10.2000.

Reply : As per the direction of Dir (HR), the GM (Estt) submitted a gist of the pensionary benefits available to the absorbed employees vis-à-vis to the DR employees considering present proposal of 3% contribution which shows that direct recruits will get more pension on their retirement. United Forum was not satisfied with the calculation submitted by GM (East) as same is not covering the actual retirement benefit available till death of employees. UF pleaded for 12% contribution from BSNL side as per the DPE order and submitted the actual calculation which shows that even after 12% of contribution towards pension fund direct recruits will get only 1/8th pension in comparison to absorbed employees. After some discussions the Dir (HR) appreciated our concern and mentioned that management has proposed 3% contribution as superannuation benefit which is cleared by BSNL MC and is pending with BSNL Board Remuneration Committee for clearance and thereafter by BSNL board, based on the calculations submitted by the GM (Estt), which in her opinion is a balance between absorbed and DR employees. Dir (HR) directed the GM (Estt) to have separate meeting with UF to understand the calculation of each other within 2-3 days’ time so that the pensionary benefits of the absorbed employees and the BSNL recruited employees are on equal footing. Director (HR) was very much concern with this issue and clearly said that employer has the responsibility to secure the retiral life of it’s employees. She mentioned that BSNL is ready to take decision for increasing the contribution to minimize the gap if any between absorbed and direct recruits in terms of their retiral benefits after seeing the fresh calculation to be submitted by GM (East) which consider the views of the UF. She further directed that the revised proposal, if any shall be submitted to the Remuneration Committee before the next Board Meeting. The Dir (HR) assured justice to all employees. UF submitted a detailed calculation sheet/ draft today itself and we will have further discussion with the GM (Estt) shortly on this issue.

 

2. Some issues related to Executive promotion policy (EPP) needs immediate settlement in addition to CPSU cadre hierarchy and first time bound promotion after 4 years of service in all the cases as under

Time bound promotion from E-5 to E-6 to the DGMs promoted from Grp.”B” Executives.

Reply: GM(Pers) informed that the issue is pending with BSNL Board for approval for the last 7-8 months. We expressed our serious concern for such inordinate delay on the pretext of finalization of HR Plan. Dir(HR) appreciated our concern and assured that after the discussions with BSNL Unions/ Associations the revised HR Plan fitting in Deloittee Recommendations will be placed in the next BSNL Board Meeting. Thereafter all the pending HR issues cleared by BSNL MC will also be approved by BSNL Board.

 

Date of effect of Implementation of revised upgraded IDA Pay Scales for the Executives w.e.f. 1.10.2000 on notional basis.

Reply: Addl GM (BW) and GM (Pers) apprised the status of the case which is now pending in Pers cell for consideration after the comments of the GM (FP). The proposal was moved by the PGM (BW) with the comments of the PGM (EW), PGM(Arch) and GM(TF). GM (Pers) has to give comments on PA/PS cadre. Dir(HR) directed GM (Pers) to resolve the issue by 31/07/2015.

 

Amendment in BSNL MSRRs of EE (Civil/Electrical/Arch).

Reply: Dir (HR) mentioned that as per the discussions and decisions in the meeting of CMD, BSNL with the UF representatives in her presence held on 13/07/2015, the approval has been given to Pers cell to issue an executive order treating Diploma with 10 years of technical experience as equivalent to degree in engineering for the purpose of promotion to the grade of EE(C/E/Arch). GM (Pers) assured to issue the order today itself. We extended our sincere gratitude and thanks to the Dir (HR) and CMD, BSNL for their kind consideration and removing this stalemate in the career path of C/E/Arch wing executives. We congratulate our Civil/Electrical/Architectural Executives for this historic win.

 

3 Conduction of various CPCs on a regular basis:

i. JTO to SDE (T) CPC against seniority cum fitness quota: Conduction of DPC for Seniority and fitness quota as per DoPT guidelines for the years 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 ,2012-13 and 2013-14 to fill up about 6600 posts.

Reply: GM (Pers) apprised that as soon as the stay order is vacated from the Hon’ble HC Kerala, the CPC will be expedited and promotion order will be issued within seven days. We requested to monitor the developments in the court so that the case is not further deferred. AIBSNLEA is also a party in the case.

 

ii. CPC from SDE (T)/DE(Adhoc) to DE Regular: Immediate CPC to fill up the left out about 90 DEs Posts and about 1200 DEs posts on regular basis up to the vacancies of year 2013-14.

Reply: Dir (HR) directed the GM (Pers) to issue left out 83 SDEs to DE promotion order immediately and to expedite CPC from SDE to DE and to fill up all vacant DE posts.

 

iii. Immediate conduction of CPC from DE to DGM (Engg.) on Adhoc/Regular basis to fill up about 700 DGM vacant posts.

Reply: GM (Pers) apprised that efforts are being made to issue 150 DGM orders from eligible DEs on receipt of VCRs. We pleaded that as per the judgement of Hon’ble Apex Court, 480 DGM posts can immediately be filled up since 150 can be filled up. Dir (HR) directed GM (Pers) to give maximum promotions against vacant posts as much as possible. GM (Pers) assured an early action in this regard.

 

iv. Immediate CPC from JAO to AO to fill up about 500 AOs posts.

Reply: GM(FP) informed that after receiving the letter from the UF, the CPC work from JAO to AO has been initiated.

 

v. CPC from AO to CAO Regular to fill up about 650 CAO vacant posts.

Reply: GM(FP) apprise that the CPC work is held up due to Hon’ble CAT , Chandigarh direction to refrain from issuing promotions by considering Roster in present practice in BSNL and consider Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement of Sri Nagraj Case. We pleaded that Hon’ble Apex Court judgement has already been endorsed by DOPT/DPE/DOT/BSNL and as per DOPT guidelines, promotion orders can be issued. GM(FP) mentioned that the legal opinion from GM(Legal) has been sought and as per the advice of GM (Pers) to consider promotions on Adhoc basis after taking approval from Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh is being taken. Dir (HR) directed GM(FP) to take immediate action in this regard.

 

vi. CPC from DGM (F)-Adhoc to DGM (F) – Regular basis.

Reply: GM (FP) informed that after receiving the letter from the uF the CPC has been initiated.

 

vii. CPCs from JTO (C/E) to SDE (C/E) and SDE(C/E) to EE(C/E).

Reply: The Addl GM(BW) informed that the promotions from JTO© to SDE© on SCF quota is up to date i.e up to March 2015 and requisitions will be placed to Recruitment cell for conducting LDCE for 65 vacancies. The AGM (EW) informed that around 13 SDE (E) posts on SCF quota and 19 posts on LDCE quota are being initiated for promotion. As far as EE promotion is concerned, the Dir (HR) directed the BW/EW unit to be very proactive towards cadre issues and expedite CPCs to fill up all vacant EE(C/E) posts.

 

CPCs from JTO (TF) to SDE (TF) , SDE (TF) to DE/AGM(TF) and LDCE from JTO (TF) to SDEs (TF)

Reply: We expressed our concern for not issuing promotions orders in TF in the grade of AGM(TF) and not conducting LDCE for promotion from JTO(TF) to SDE(TF) on the ground of non finalization of syllabus. Dir(HR) directed the GM(Pers) to solve the issue in a time bound manner and GM(Pers) assured top resolve the issue within a month time.

 

viii. Promotion from Assistants to Section officers and Personal Assistant to Private Secretaries, SO to AGM and AGM to DGM in the erstwhile CSS and CSSS.

Reply: GM (Pers) apprised that the promotions are up to date.

 

 4. Restructuring of AD (OL) Cadre: The committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Harsh Wardhan Addl. GM (CP&M), BSNL C.O. has submitted the report to the competent authority to revise the pay scale of Rajbhasha Adhikari at par SDE/AO scale .But the committee report is pending with the GM (Pers) for more than 8 months without any decision. We have demanded to restructure the cadre by change of designation as AD(OL) and to ensure promotions up-to DD (O/L) STS grade.

Reply: Dir(HR) directed GM(Pers) to process the committee report to settle the issue within one month time.

 

In addition to the above issues, we expressed our concern for not considering the drawl of increment from the due date for non-completion of mandatory training within two years of upgradation on account of departmental fault. Dir (HR) directed the Addl GM(BW) and GM(Pers) to reprocess the case for consideration since she is fully convinced with the issue.
The meeting ended with thanks to the chair. The discussions were very cordial, effective and fruitful. Dir (HR) advised us to submit the left out demands of the UF for discussions in the next week. UF will submit the demands by Monday.