Dy GS AIGETOA and AIC today again met chairman of the MS RR committee with respect to correction in eligibility criteria. He immediately directed the section to issue a corrigendum for the draft. Further we also discussed on incorporation of stagnation criteria on which he assured that mechanism is being explored.
The discussions and efforts are paving the way for much awaited promotions into AGM cadre. AIGETOA team comprising of Dy. GS Sh Pavan Akhand and Chairman Sh Ravisheel Verma and AGS Shri Sunil Gautam had marathon discussions and meetings in the last week to clear the stalemate with regard to promotion as well as Seniority issue.
The team (Dy. GS Sh Pavan Akhand and Chairman Sh Ravisheel Verma) met CMD BSNL, Director HR and GM (Pers) yesterday and requested to way forward nod for the promotions. The meeting ended on positive note and CMD BSNL was kind enough to issue firm Directions down the line. We also requested CMD BSNL for initiating the process for the next lot of promotions without any further delay. We also apprised CMD BSNL that with new MS RR, BSNL has finally recognised the need for pushing the deserving ones further up in the career but we highlghted that certain things have been missed out which are needed to incorporated to ensure that a firm and rugged system is in place with equal opportunity to all the deserving ones. CMD BSNL assured that while management has tried it’s best to ensure a merit oriented path for Executives but they are open to further suggestions and all genuine inputs shall be considered. We sought a detailed meeting under the chairmanship of CMD BSNL to present our views. Our AIGETOA Team is studying the MSRR draft and shall be presenting it’s views after haiving a detailed study and inputs from all concerned.
We sincerely hope that the aspirations of senior executives and junior executives who are placed in various cadres and streams will be satisfactorily cleared. Further with regard to ongoing AGM promotions also, we are firm on our path to ensure Promotions for all within the shortest possible time and CMD BSNL has also assured us that once the process takes a start, he is open to discussion on next course of promotions,
We also highlighted that while the thrust of MSRR is on IPMS, the same is not being implemented in a scientific manner and instead targets which are assigned to the executives are unreasonable and practically unachievable most of the time. CMD BSNL recognised our concern and told that he also agrees that IPMS should be a firm and rugged system with reasonable and practical targets and assured that they shall be taking firm actions to ensure the much needed reforms in the system which includes hiring a consultancy firm also.
Later Dy. GS & AIC held discussions with CGM (NTR) PGM(SR), PGM (Est), GM (Pers) and held brief discussions with regard to draft of MS RRs. We told that though many inputs are covered but still certain things have been left out which are needed to be taken care of while amending the RRs. Committee Members asked us to provide our inputs. We told that we shall be reverting after having a detailed study. It is further understood from the discussions that there are some inadvertent errors with respect to the eligibility criteria are there in the draft which will be rectified while finalizing the RRs. We are very sure management will listen to our genuine apprehensions and will take necessary steps to accommodate the same.
Friends, slowly and steadily we are moving forward towards the change which we wanted to introduce in the system. We are aware that many things are still there to be taken care of but with our firm and United approach, we will be able to ensure that all lacuna is plugged off and finally we will succeed in creating a win win situation for all.
Need is to have firm faith and patience.
Together We Can. Together We Have. Together We will.
As per provisions in the constitution of AIGETOA and subsequent discussion, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) Meet cum CWC of AIGETOA of Central Headquarter is hereby notified to be held as per the given schedule.
Date & Time : 25th – 26th Nov’2022 from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs (Fri & Sat).
Venue : Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
Team AIGETOA lead by Shri Pavan Akhand Deputy GS, Shri Ravi Shil Verma All India Chairman, Shri Sunil Gautam AGS held a meeting with Director HR Shri Arvind Vadnerkar on dated 09.11.2022. Shri S N Gupta, GM (Pers) was also present in the meeting. The following points were discussed in the meeting:
Staff Merger of MTNL issue :
It was categorically informed that any degradation in pay scale will not be accepted by AIGETOA at all and now it’s high time that management should pursue with DoT for clearance of E2 Pay scales for JTO/JAO/Equivalent and E3 Pay scales for SDE/AO/Equivalent. Staff Merger with MTNL cannot happen without addressing this issue and that too in positive manner. Added to pay scale issue, other issues are also there like determination of Inter-Se-Seniority post-merger of staff with BSNL etc. We requested to direct the committee for immediately start the discussion with recognised association of BSNL. Director HR appreciated our concern and told that he will direct the committee members to hold the discussion with AIGETOA.
Initiating the Committee discussions with AIGETOA w.r.t 22820 issue:
We requested Director HR to direct the committee for 22820/- to initiate discussion with AIGETOA which is badly delayed. Director HR assured that he will direct the PGM (Estt) for necessary action on the same.
AGM Promotions for List-8 in Telecom Cadre:
It was informed to Director HR that management has already executed AGM promotions in Electrical Stream and its high time that promotions in AGM cadre for telecom stream should also be executed for List-8 which is litigation free as on date. GM Pers cited legal issues on which we contradicted that there is no such legal hurdle for List-8 and it is only management’s reluctance to take firm decision which is stopping the whole process. We told instead of waiting any further, immediate action should be taken for executing promotions for Telecom wing immediately for these executives who are waiting since 14-20 years for their promotion. Director (HR) assured that he will explore all the possible options to execute the long pending AGM promotions and told us that his priority is to ensure these long pending promotions and he is very hopeful that management will be able to issue the orders in coming days without much delay.
Revising the Seniority List-9 to List-12 based on Rota and Quota as per Directions of Kolkata CAT:
We informed Director (HR) that the DoPT order 13.08.2021 which clearly stipulates that the Rota and Quota are to be executed for all the promotions held between 27.11.2012 to 18.11.2019. We told that lists covering promotions in SDE Telecom cadre held after November 2008 were never under dispute or under litigation and that there was no direction from any court on manner or formulation of seniority for candidates belonging to these lists. We made it very clear that only formula which exists as on date today for fixation of seniority for candidates belonging to List 9 and onwards is Rota and Quota based upon the directions of DoP&T, DoT, Ministry of Legal Affairs and Hon’ble CAT Kolkata Judgment which has upheld the applicability of DoP&T guidelines in case of candidates belonging to the list 9 and onwards.
SDE reversal issue for LDCE 2007 batch:
It was categorically informed that this issue has been pending since very long and management should settle it now as one time measure. Director (HR) assured for an early and expeditious settlement of the issue.
SDE RR amendment notification:
It was informed by Director (HR) that DoT has raised some issues in amendment related to stagnation criteria which is causing some delay. After the meeting of Director HR, AIGETOA Team immediately met Member (Services) and explained him about all the nitti-gritties related to SDE RR amendment proposal.
Discussion on amendment of MS RRs:
We expressed our serious concern on non-finalisation of revised MS RR containing the provisions of Fast Track Promotions, Scrapping of MT and DR DGM RRs, and Introduction of Stagnation Criteria for promotion to AGM grade. We told that it was unfortunate that despite repeated missing of deadline for discussions, management has yet not initiated the discussion with recognised association despite the fact that 2-3 meetings of the committee have already been held. Director HR assured that he will direct committee members to start discussion with association immediately. We expect that discussions shall be initiated very soon. After the meeting with Director (HR), Team went to meet Shri R.K. Goyal, the senior most committee member and apprised him of our concerns. He also assured that discussion with association shall be initiated soon. He also informed that DOT has raised some objection on Stagnation Criteria for SDE RR amendment.
AO to CAO promotions:
We informed Director (HR) that the pending litigation in CAO promotions can be settled with discussion amongst the applicants and management and management should not miss this opportunity for settling the dispute and executing the AO to CAO promotions immediately. We also requested for completing the preparatory exercise immediately for them.
Issuance of Hard Tenure Declaration for Uttarakhand and Soft Tenure for Few SSAs of Karnataka:
We informed Director HR that despite many a times discussion on the issue, instructions have not been issued for the same. It was assured that orders in this regard shall be issued very soon and directed GM (Pers) to ensure the issuance without any further delay.
Processing of OTP cases:
We said there was inordinate delay in processing of the cases and requested GM (Pers) to issue the same without any further delay. We requested for issuance of pending request of CHQ OBs also. Director HR and GM (Pers) assured for an expeditious action in this regard.
Holding of Agenda Meeting with AIGETOA:
We requested for allocating the time slot for holding the formal agenda meeting of management with AIGETOA. Director HR told us to submit the agenda points and assured us that he will direct PGM (SR) for holding the agenda meeting in this month itself.
Few issues could not be taken up due to paucity of time and we shall be meeting Director HR again to discuss them.
BSNL CO issued the promotions of Executives of electrical streams in the grade AGM/EE in E4 IDA payscale on regular basis.
AIGETOA writes to Director HR BSNL Board for kind and immediate attention is sought towards the allowing of EPF Full pension option under EPS Scheme which is already have national importance on social security measure of employees who are under EPF/EPS Scheme.
AIGETOA writes to Director HR, BSNL for Strengthening of HR processes of BSNL with complete focus on “Timebound Execution” and implementation of firm initiatives to settle the long pending HR issues of executives in a time bound manner to address the issues of promotions in AGM grade ( all streams), Promotion of Left Out JTOs to SDE grade, promotions in DGM grade, Resolution of Standard Pay scale issues of E2 & E3 for JTO/JAO/Equivalent & SDE/AO/Equivalent, Resolution of Pay Loss issues of executives recruited/promoted post 01.01.2007, long pending SAB contribution enhancement, revision in allowances etc.
With profound grief and sorrow, we inform the untimely & sad demise of beloved CGMT Karnataka Shri Devesh Kumar Ji, on 04.11.2022.
Sh Devesh Kumar was born on 15.01.1965 in Bag Bahar village of Azamgarh district Uttar Pradesh. He completed his BE in Electronics from Gorakhpur University and MBA from Annamalai University. As an ITS officer of 1986 batch, he joined the Department of Telecom at ALTTC Ghaziabad on 22-06-1987 as ADET. Subsequent to this, he headed various departments under DOT and MTNL till 2007. Later, he joined BSNL as GM Bharuch, Gujarat Circle in 2008.
On 27.05.2020 Shri Devesh Kumar has taken over charges of CGM Karnataka Circle. His untimely demise on 04-11-2022 has left the whole BSNL fraternity shell-shocked.
His able leadership and devotion to service will be deeply missed and remembered.
He is survived by his father Sh Bhuleshwara Prasad aged 85 years, mother Smt Daulti Devi aged 84 years, wife Smt Anju Devesh Kumar and son Abhinav who is well settled in Australia.
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has delivered the verdict on EPF Pension case after hearing the applicants and the review petitions filed by EPFO & GOI challenging the Hon HC verdicts from Kerala, Rajasthan, Delhi etc. As already aware team AIGETOA is closely involved in EPFO Full Pension Case for entire BSNL Recruited Employees, who are willing to opt the scheme. AIGETOA Kerala Team had already won the case of EPF Full Pension Scheme against EPFO in Hon’ble High Court of Kerala on 25th Feb, 2019 in WP(C) No 39855/2017, 41071/17 & 3001/18 in line with WP(C) 13120/2015 judgement and other cases won by different applicants in the Hon’ble HC, Kerala. The order of Full Pension Scheme pronounced by the Hon’ble HC Kerala was challenged by EPFO through Special Leave Petition (Civil) in the Hon’ble SC vide Diary No 9610/2019. This SLP of the EPFO was dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 01.04.2019. After dismissal of the SLP, the EPFO moved Review Petitions in the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which was pending before the Hon’ble Apex Court. Due to the collective efforts of various applicants and their counsels spread across the country the cases were heard in detail which supported EPF members rights and the judgment is delivered.
Now by utilising the powers exercised in Article-142 of the constitution, Hon Supreme Court has extended the cut off date for allowing the existing members of EPS scheme for the eligibility for Full pension. It is learnt that with this judgment, the Cut off date imposed in EPFO amendment in 2014 is not acceptable and the member can opt for the pension scheme without such cut-off date. The members of EPS scheme who were eligible right through 11(3) option who desire to get the full pension will have the continued right to do so by exercising the option as mentioned in 11(4). The time to exercise option extended for a further period of Four months. Hon’ble SC also observed that the additional contribution (1.16%) as envisaged in 2014 scheme, on the salary exceeding the limit (Rs 15000/- now) to be ultra vires (this portion suspended for six months to enable EPFO to make adjustments/provisions by EPFO). At the same time the basis of calculation for pensionable salary (60 months average) is not altered.
AIGETOA has always been in forefront of pursuing for the cause of executives. It was AIGETOA which made BSNL realize their mistakes and pursued for correction in the system. AIGETOA and it’s team fought for streamlining the system and forced BSNL to not to recover penalties from employees. All may recall that with continued persuasion from AIGETOA during 2016-2017 , BSNL Corporate office had issued letter vide Letter no NO: 500-85/CA II/BSNL/EPF/2013/Vol VI Dated 30.03.2017 for collection of options from the employee who desired to opt for full pension . Further since the matter was placed before Hon Court , the same was pending. AIGETOA team filed a separate case to get the relief as the case by NCOA was for exempted which had their own trust like NTPC etc. which had potential to rejected also and would have jeopardized the case of BSNL employees which was a non exempted organization where accounts are being maintained by EPFO directly. Our Team won the case at High Court Kerala.
Now AIGETOA will once again reach out to respected CMD BSNL, Dir (HR) and concerned section, to re-start the proceedings afresh and take necessary measures for final submission of all joint forms to respective EPFOs in order to give the relief to all BSNL recruits who desire to get the social security through the enhanced pension in line with the verdict of Hon’ble Apex Court today. Further all employees falling under EPF scheme are advised to ascertain from respective BSNL offices that their date of joining in the service remains updated in the EPF ledger as due to transfers of account from one place to another, discrepancies may occur.