BSNL Implements Online Transfer Application Module in ERP for Rule-9 Transfers:

Update on Meeting of Recognized Associations and Unions with CMD BSNL to Discuss Organizational Transformation with BCG Consultancy Services:

The recognized Associations and Unions, including AIGETOA, BTEU, SNEA, BSNLEU, and NFTE, along with the Welfare Association SEWA, were invited to a meeting with the CMD BSNL today. The primary purpose of this engagement was to discuss the appointment of BCG Consultancy services for strategic organizational transformation within BSNL, with the aim of establishing the company as a leading brand in the telecom sector.

AIGETOA was represented by Shri Ravi Shil Verma, GS & Shri Pavan Akhand, Dy GS and BTEU was represented by Shri R C Pandey, GS & Shri Ajay Singh, Dy GS.

Key Discussion Points:

Quality of Service (QoS): BCG’s role in enhancing BSNL’s QoS, ensuring reliable and consistent services for customers.

⁠Customer Centricity: Strategies to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, making BSNL the provider of choice.

Sales and Distribution: Optimizing sales strategies and distribution channels for better market reach and revenue growth.

Cost Reduction: Identifying areas to reduce operational costs without compromising service quality.

Performance Management: Implementing effective performance evaluation and improvement systems for employees.

Brand Strengthening & Growth: Developing BSNL’s brand identity and market presence to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

During the meeting, we raised concerns about the rumors of BSNL planning another Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) with the appointment of BCG. The CMD BSNL categorically denied these rumors, confirming that there is no proposal for a VRS and the consultant has also been directed to suggest the measures of utilising the full existing strength.

We also brought attention to the issue of low motivation among field staff, emphasizing the need to address HR issues promptly. GS AIGETOA categorically raised the issue of promotions, Pay Scales and 3rd PRC and sought support of management in addressing these concerns at priority. We also raised the concern on conducting this exercise when multiple rounds of such consultancies have already been done in BSNL with not much appreciable results. CMD BSNL explained that Project Shikhar has helped the organisation in bringing some major structural changes like creation of vertical wise operations, creation of a new vertical of EB, many structural reforms which helped in sustaining this organisation. He said though few consultants couldn’t give desired results but all efforts shall be made to convert BSNL into a profitable organisation through this consultancy exercise. We said unless the internal customers of the organisation i.e. employees of BSNL are motivated and unless their HR issues are addressed, any such exercise will not give the desired results and requested to address the HR issues on priority.

GS BTEU requested that mobile reimbursement be extended to non-executives, recognizing their similar use of BSNL applications in the field. GS BTEU also raised the concerns of non executives like stagnation and lack of promotions and requested to solve them on priority. GS BTEU also requested for implementation of 3rd PRC in BSNL. He also emphasized upon the need for utilisation of JEs in a proper way in organisation and provide them more opportunities of promotion through provisioning of more posts.

In conclusion, we highlighted the importance of addressing HR concerns and transforming BSNL in parallel, ensuring that employee welfare and organizational growth go hand in hand. The meeting concluded with a positive outlook, and we look forward to further constructive dialogue and action towards making BSNL a leading telecom brand.

Update on the Proposal for Organizational Transformation :

There shall be a meeting with CMD BSNL on Friday 4.30pm wherein a one to one discussion shall be held on the Purpose, Way Forward, Queries and Suggestions from the association on the proposal for organization transformation.

Click here for letter

All CS/CPs are requested to discuss the provisions within their circles and send the queries/Suggestions to Dy GS Shri Pavan Akhand.

Yesterday, We requested for an informed and interactive session to understand the view points of each other.

AIGETOA extends its thanks to Hon’ble CMD BSNL for accepting the request and PGM SR for arranging the session with Recognized Associations and Unions.

BSNL Work Order (WO) for supply of Consultancy services for Organizational Transformation in Strategic areas of BSNL to become a Leading Brand in Telecom Sector.

Click here for letter

BSNL CO Issues Promotions from SDE (T) to AGM (T) Grade :

BSNL CO issues promotions of executives as from SDE (Telecom) to DE/AGM (Regular) of Telecom Operation stream against 67% seniority quota.

Click here for the promotion orders

AIGETOA congratulates all the promoted executives and conveys its best wishes.

At the same time, we consider it paramount on the part of management to extend justice to remaining SDEs who have completed their residency and are eligible to be promoted. AIGETOA’s fight for extending justice to the deprived lot will continue. We are not going to stop till we achieve our rightful due. We request management to ensure the promotion of all the eligible SDEs. We have already requested management for increasing the posts, diverting the posts from SET quota and introduction of stagnation criteria so as to ensure that all the eligible SDEs gets their promotion. Our pursuance for the same will continue till we achieve the rightful promotions for all the eligible ones

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL – Seeking Higher Reimbursement for Mobile Handsets Supporting Band-28 (700 MHz band) which is being used majorly by BSNL for its Swadeshi 4G Network :

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar Ji regarding need for increasing the limit for reimbursement of cost of Mobile handsets further to enable all executives to buy atleast optimum configuration handsets supporting Band-28 i.e. in the 700 MHz band which is being used majorly by BSNL for its Swadeshi 4G network.

Click here for the Letter

The proposed cost is insufficient for handsets compatible with BSNL’s 4G services, which will primarily utilize the 700 MHz spectrum band. The available handsets with this configuration are priced higher than the current reimbursement amounts.

AIGETOA highlighted the following intrinsic benefits of having a revised handset policy with Band-28 support handsets:

1] As part of the government supported projects BSNL is launching the 4G services in Band-28 in rural, far flung and difficult areas in the country. It will be timely and prudent that BSNL executives are equipped with proper mobile handset which will help them not only to complete their day to day office work but also enable them to assist customers, measure QoS, coverage.

2] BSNL having 4G rollout in Band 28 will be a long term advantage as the band is having excellent penetration and coverage. At this stage appropriate feedback will be required for improvements in the indigenous 4G stack.

3] The executives associated with Mobile related work will also require a day to interface with vendors and service providers and various government agencies also. Therefore, providing handset equipped with 700 MHz band support will be good investment which will be fruitful for the executives as well as the company.

4] By increasing the reimbursement limit at least by Rs 8000 at each level of existing policy rates should be accepted for immediate implementation. By this way BSNL management can make it mandatory for all executives to purchase the handsets supporting B28 operations.

5] The clause 4 of the letter dated 07.05.2024 seems to be discriminatory. It mentions that the officers on look after basis or local officiating basis shall be allowed reimbursement of the cost of Mobile Handset at their substantive post. There are many officers who been promoted and working on LA basis for the last 4 to 5 years and have been vested with all administrative and financial powers of the post. They are eligible to get promoted on regular basis but still not being promoted for the reasons best known to department. Surprisingly, these officers are giving their best even on LA basis but being deprived of the reimbursement benefits on the post at LA basis is gross injustice. We feel that the officers on LA basis should also be entitled/allowed to reimburse the cost of Mobile handsets at par with officers working on regular/adhoc basis.

Updates of Meeting of Team AIGETOA CHQ with CMD BSNL on dated 6th May 2024 :

Team AIGETOA consisting of GS AIGETOA Shri Ravi Shil Verma, Dy. GS AIGETOA Shri Pavan Akhand, AGSs Shri Vivek Kumar Singh and Shri Sunil Gautam and All India Convener Shri A A Khan met CMD BSNL on dated 06.05.2024. The meeting was held in the backdrop of proposed meeting between Senior officers of BSNL and DoT for way forward on the Standard Pay Scales issue. The details of the discussion are as stated below:

1] Standard Pay Scales of E2 and E3 as replacement scales of pre-revised E1A and E2A:

We appraised about the progress on the issue of standard pay scales and requested for the need to push the same from BSNL side. We informed that after much persuasion, DoT has finally reopened the issue and has sought inputs from BSNL. We appraised CMD BSNL that BSNL is likely to submit their inputs in an upcoming meeting which is scheduled to be held on 09.05.2024 at the JS Admin Office in DoT at 3:00 pm. We requested CMD BSNL to give the positive inputs in the upcoming meeting regarding the long pending issue of standard pay scales of E2-E3. It is understood that HR team is working diligently on the issue and is likely to give an impartial input which will help in resolution of the issue. Thereafter association shall be having another meeting at DoT for further discussion on the issue after the BSNL meeting on 09/05/2024.

2] Promotions issue in various Grades and Streams – SDE to AGM through DPC/LICE, AO to CAO, JAO to AOs, AGM to DGM and introduction of Stagnation Clause:

We requested for intervention of Hon’ble CMD BSNL on the struck career progressions of BSNL Executives across all cadres and streams. Somewhere issue is litigation/stay from court of law and somewhere issue is lack of sufficient vacancies. We once again explained CMD BSNL that the only solution to this mess is to introduce the mechanism of promotion through personal upgradation of the post by introduction of an upper cap on the residency period across a grade. We said its high time that citing the road blocks, BSNL must restart working on this proposal take up this matter once again to BSNL Board for approval. CMD BSNL stated that normally it’s very difficult to reopen a closed chapter but still he will try to push it again. CMD BSNL was positive on the suggestion but was non-committal as of now and advised us to wait for some time.

Discussion also took place on the ongoing DPC and LICE process for SDE to AGM Promotions.

We expressed our disappointment for unnecessary hold on the promotions and requested for expediting the same. We also requested CMD BSNL for inclusion of 1000+ vacancies in AGM cadre by executing promotions in SDE to AGM as well as AGM to DGM grade. We also requested for diversion of 300 SET quota vacancies to Promotions Quota as a lot many of the SDEs appearing in the LICE Exams have proved their merit by securing good percentage of marks (Written as well as Apar grades) and it becomes duty of BSNL to give maximum promotional avenues to the executives who have completed their residency in the grade. Similarly, we highlighted same mechanism can be used in Finance Stream to take care of the pending litigations. We also requested for ensuring DPC in JTO to SDE grade and JAO to AO grade by filling up the consequential vacancies arising out of the promotions in higher grade. CMD BSNL appreciated the concern and assured to talk to HR team for exploring what best can be done.

We also requested the intervention of Hon’ble CMD BSNL in completing the review process of PWD executives expeditiously. We emphasised that Personnel cell must be directed to issue the Promotions of all the eligible executives whose DPC was completed in November 2022. We also highlighted the attention of CMD BSNL on the precarious condition of SDE 2007 reversal affected candidates. We requested for an early implementation of the orders from CAT Lucknow Bench.

It was assured to look into the issue expeditiously.

3] Laptop reimbursement, Mobile reimbursements & TA/DA Issue:

We thanked CMD BSNL for directing to Director (HR) for writing to circles with respect to the reimbursement of laptop issue and also requested for issuance of the orders for revised mobile reimbursement limits which has been approved by Management Committee of the BSNL Board.

We also objected on the approved amount being very low and requested for reconsidering our proposal for enhancing the limits to minimum Rs 20,000/- across the executives irrespective of their grade or posts. CMD BSNL told that sometimes slow start gives rise to many things and didn’t rule out the enhancement further more in future. We also highlighted the attention of CMD BSNL on the slow progress with regard to revision of TA/DA/Transport Allowance and requested for his intervention in this regard.

4] Reviewing of Comprehensive Renting Out Policy (Crop – 2020):

It was intimated to CMD BSNL that various query from the officers has been received regarding Crop-2020 policy in which the BSNL serving employee who took the quarter under CROP policy has to face lots of hardship in the renewal of the quarter after two years on the routine manner. As per clause no-1.8 of the CROP 2020, the CROP Policy shall be reviewed every two years. Association requested CMD BSNL that almost 4 (four) years has passed and same has not been reviewed yet. CMD agreed to review the policy based on the Association inputs after discussing with the team.

Flash News: Reimbursement Limit for Mobile increased

Congratulations !!!

It is understood that the proposal for enhancement of mobile reimbursement limits for BSNL Executives is approved by the Management Committee of Board. The orders shall be issued shortly.

This was one of the demand which has been precipitated by AIGETOA Since long and it was assured by management during reconciliation meeting with AIGETOA and thereafter in the agenda meeting. We are happy to note management has kept their promise. Our heartfelt thanks to CMD BSNL, Director HR, PGM SR, PGM Admin and PGM Estt.

Together we can.