Team AIGETOA meeting with Director HR and PGM (Pers) on 02.12.2020:

Team AIGETOA meeting with Director HR and PGM (Pers) on 02.12.2020:

AIP Ravi Shil Verma and AGS Yogendra Kumar today met PGM Pers and discussed the status of the DPC progress. PGM Pers told that work on AIEL I and II is almost complete and some minor data corrections are there which will be done very soon. Now the decision is to be taken at higher level with respect to the convening the DPC and issuance of promotion orders. Accordingly we met Director HR and requested for issuance of necessary instructions. We apprised Director HR about the prevailing unrest in all cadres as the final outcome of HR issues settlement are not coming and wait is getting endless. We once again requested him for consideration of all HR issues in an amicable environment in the best interest of employees as well as the organisation. Director HR assured us that work is in progress and results will be visible soon. There are certain teething problems and the same is being looked onto. We Sincerely hope that at least now results be visible as assured by Director HR.

However, as informed earlier association has decided to move ahead with organisation action program, though initially we will start with symbolic activities. In the mean while AGM is already notified to be held on 12th and 13th December 2020 and further course of action shall be decided in the AGM.

Notification of Annual General Meet (AGM) of AIGETOA to be held on 12-13th December, 2020:

The Annual General Meet (AGM) of AIGETOA CHQ is notified to held on 12-13th December, 2020 as per the provisions of the constitution. The annual general meet of the association will be conducted through online mode due to the prevailing Pandemic of Covid-19 in the country. All Collegium Members are requested to attend the meeting, whose credentials for online joining will be shared in due course of time.

Click here for the Notice of AGM

Emergency Meeting of AIGETOA Central Governing Council held on 29.11.2020:

AIGETOA Central Governing Council meeting was held on 29th Nov 2020 in the chairmanship of All India President Shri Ravi Shil Verma. GS AIGETOA Shri Md Wasi Ahmad, Chairman Shri Laxman Banoth and all most all the CHQ officer bearers were participated in the meeting.

The emergency CHQ meeting started with the address of All India President Shri Ravi Shil Verma, where AIP AIGETOA updated about the ongoing JTO to SDE DPC process and intimated that, management has again failed to keep their final time line of November last week also to complete the DPC process and issuance of JTO to SDE Promotion order.   It was apprised that number of Vacancies are not an issue for JTO to SDE promotion. Only thing which is to be decided now is that how the vacancy positions are to be treated.  Discussion on these issues along with submission of our view has already been done and the association view point has already been informed to Director HR and CMD BSNL. CMD BSNL has assured to hold the meeting with his HR team to decide on this issue in this week. Association is consistently following on the issue.

All India President also informed the house that DPC process is in advance stage and preparatory work on DPC is almost complete. Now a final go ahead is needed for the long awaited JTO to SDE promotion order.  He said that though personnel section is very actively doing their work on this issue but still time lines after time lines is failing and even the last time line given by management has also failed. He also informed that, there are many issues, which also needs to be settled in time bound manner. He emphasized that, though intent of management appears to be positive but at the same time, it is also a fact that HR issues are not getting the priority which they should get and now it’s high time that association should think about the next course of action. He categorically informed to CHQ officer bearers that, it is the high time to think and act immediately. 

He categorically informed to CHQ officer bearers that, it is the high time to fulfill the responsibilities associated with the post and extend their 100% active participation to protect the interest of executives as well as organization else association will be constrained to act accordingly against them. No body should take his/her posts for granted. He also requested CHQ OBs to start energising Circles OBs to motivate the members for long a long and sustained struggled in case of need.

AIP also informed that, apart from long pending HR issues, as the only recognised representative executive association, it is our responsibility to look at service related issues of our beloved company and take them to broader platforms. He emphasised that immediate need for BSNL is to roll out 4G services across India and role of AIGETOA for ensuring this roll out of 4G services is very crucial and same should happen in coordination with other major stake holders for the survival of BSN. Finally AIP emphasised that in the quest for an amicable solution, enough time has been given to management from association side and every time management has failed to keep their commitments and the final dead line of 30th Nov 2020 set by management is also over now. It’s time to go ahead with deciding the future course of action without waiting any further in the best interest of the executives.

GS AIGETOA, Shri Wasi Ahmad was also in the same view as that of All India president. He pointed out that, considering present prevailing condition of Covid-19 in the country, whatever possible way to start organizational action, AIGETOA will move ahead with that to highlight the serious resentment prevailing in the executives due to continuous denial of their due rights by the BSNL Management. He further appraised that even after passage of ten months of VRS implementation in BSNL, the management has failed to show any clear path of career progression to its existing executives and resolution of various long pending issues. Instead, the available possibilities to seek growth outside organisation are also choked by issuing unfair orders e.g. the last one is issuing ban of further two years for BSNL executives going to other departments on deputation. The HR Team is in passive mode and not showing any sign that how to get the acts together to take along all the executives by ensuring their career prospects and resolving HR related issues to motivate them for showing splendid performance to carry on the organization even after shedding of 50% of employees under VRS and onslaught of Covid-19 Pandemic. 

further said that it is extremely unfortunate that even some simple issues which were part of discussion in the agenda meeting on 15.09.2020 have not shown any progress after lapse of 2.5 months of the meeting, e.g. formation of Committee for Pay Loss issues, reminder to the DoT for standard Pay Scale of E2 and E3 for JT/JAO and SDE/AO equivalent grade, adding of clear direction in BSNL MRS for post retirement medical benefits to BSNL Recruited Employees, Settlement of Rule-9 cases, Operationalisation of online portal for Rule-8 and other request transfer process in BSNL, Review of Bond Period and Bond Amount as per industry standard for newly recruited JTOs/JAOs.   

While all verticals of the company is working in various possible ways to ensure growth of the business in post VRS era, HR vertical is completely lagging behind to capitalize existing human resource and ensuring their career prospects, various rightful dues and settlement of long pending HR issues in all these periods. It’s a fact that most of the cadres are facing acute shortage of officers and somehow they are being managed through local look after arrangements . Management has not shown any vision and action to resolve the issue and promote people on next level i.e. AGM, CAO, DGM(T), DGM(F) etc. Even the easiest one of JTO to SDE(T) is hanging in balance since last 4-5 months on the name of WIP. To our further dismay, when we see the letter of DoT that BSNL is seeking people on deputation basis for the post of IFA in 17 Circles, it raises serious questions on the part of management as well as those earlier formal representatives of the executives in these periods that even after Twenty Years of its existence, BSNL has to seek outside people in Telecom and Finance stream on deputation basis to run the organisation despite availability of sufficient internal qualified talents. GS-AIGETOA once again appeals the management to learn from past and start recognising the internal talent and give them sufficient opportunity to excel and groom them to cater requirements of the organisation at higher level else it is going to be a real tough time for the company in the coming days.

He also stressed that, it is also our responsibility to look at service related issues of our beloved company BSNL and updated the house about activities performed by AIGETOA during his stay at New Delhi for the roll out of 4G services in BSNL and other service related issues. He also appraised that if required AIGETOA will take all stake holders into confidence to start organizational action plan against DoT/Government for the early roll out of 4G services in BSNL, without which it is not possible for BSNL to survive in the Telecom domain. In this direction, AIGETOA is already working with a series of meetings and further movement will be made.

Chairman Shri B Laxman suggested to conduct regular CHQ meeting to update about status of HR issues  the CHQ office bearer and Circle officer bearers. He requested GS to meet MoC for the 4G services and write to Hon’ble Prime Minister for immediate roll out of 4G services in BSNL. He also asked the AIP/GS to take up the matter of pending temporary advance of the executives and is clearance which is running in Lakh of rupees of many executives. The association will take up the matter with competent authority for clearance of all pending dues spent by our executive fraternities for the maintenance of the system. 

All CHQ OBs bearers unanimously agreed that the resentment and frustration in the executives due to inordinate delay in resolving HR issues is at its peak and now association should not wait any further and supported the call for organizational action and assured 100% cooperation for successful launching of organizational action plan against management’s attitude towards settlement of HR issues. 

The summarized decision arrived in the Central Governing Council Meeting are as follows:

  1. AIGETOA will write to CMD BSNL regarding unrest amongst the executives due to non settlement of long pending HR issues with an intimation that AIGETOA will start its Organizational action plan if things are not settled in time bound manner as assured by the management. 
  2. As a symbolic protest to start with AIGETOA will start its movement with wearing black badges and signature campaigning and sending mass representation to CMD and DIR (HR) BSNL from next week i.e. the week starting 7th December 2020.
  3. The Annual General Meet has been decided to be held on December 12th and 13th 2020 through online mode to transact important business of the association as well as to finalize harder organization action programs to resolve outstanding issues. It is decided to chalk out the next course on the organisation action programs in the AGM with inputs and concurrence of all Collegiums members. 
  4. The meetings of Central Governing Council Members shall be held regularly on weekly basis to discuss and deliberate on the progress of various matters and future strategies.
  5. It was also decided that any CHQ office bearer or any Circle/District Body member not executing their responsibility dedicatedly shall be dealt accordingly and decision on such CHQ representatives and Circle bodies will also be taken in the next AGM. 
  6. AIGETOA will take all stake holders into confidence and will start organization action plan for the roll out of 4G services in BSNL exclusively. 

The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by AGS D K Sahoo. 

Thereafter another meeting of AIP Shri Ravi Shil Verma and Dy GS Shri Deepak Sahu was held with AIGETOA OBs mostly belonging to the sufferer group of JTO to SDE DPC on Monday 30th November 2020. AIP apprised them about the developments so far, the roadblocks due to which delay is taking place and the future course of action finalized in the CHQ meeting. All the OBs present in the interactive session supported the action plan finalized by AIGETOA CHQ and assured their full support to the program. The meeting ended with Vote of Thanks by Shri Hari Shankar Tiwari.

Further, it can been from nasty update of the proclaimed corners that they are still trying to instigate the executives as well as confuse management by showing one or other hurdles, some times they spell out number of vacancies, some time they say restructuring, sometimes they say reservation. Perhaps they are still not satisfied even after ruining the careers of BSNL executives for the last twenty years and are still trying to continue the same practice. AIGETOA once again request one and all executives to not to pay any attention on such troublemakers as we are dedicated to remove all obstacles. 

Friends, AIGETOA is totally committed for the resolution of all the issues as promised by us in our vision document. The inertia of the system, the prevailing Covid-19 situation, uncertainty over issues like 4G and somewhat lack of focus by management on HR issues are the main reasons for the delay. Since the final timeline has also passed, association has decided to start the organization action programs for settlement of our long pending demands. We seek your support in the endeavors of AIGETOA to ensure the very basic rights of executives.

AGM and Circle Conference of AIGETOA Punjab held on 22.11.2020:

Annual General Meet and Circle Conference of AIGETOA Punjab Circle was conducted successfully on 22nd Nov 2020 through online mode. The Chief Guests of the function CGMT Punjab Circle Shri Sandeep Diwan, Guest of honors GM(HR/Admin) Punjab Circle Sh. Jaspal Singh, All India President Shri Ravi Shil Verma, GS Md. Wasi Ahmad, Chairman legal committee Shri Ajay Kaswan, JS North Shri Ajit Singh, CS Haryana Sh. Harjinder Singh, CS Himachal Pradesh Sh. Chander Singh Negi attended the event and graced the occasion with their valuable speech to the august gathering. Circle Secretary Punjab, Shri Vikas Kumar welcomed all guests on behalf of the Circle and Circle President, AIGETOA, Punjab Shri Santosh Kumar presided over the meeting. The brief address of the guests were as follows:

Chief Guest of the Function, Shri Sandeep Diwan, Chief General Manager Telecom, Punjab Circle: He expressed his gratitude for inviting him to the Circle Conference of AIGETOA, Punjab & emphasized that the AIGETOA has to play a key role to regain the last glory of BSNL. This is possible only with whole hearted cooperation and coordination among the executives to regain dominant position in telecom market. He ensured AIGETOA to extend his full support on any issues related in the larger interest of the organization.

Guest of Honour, ShriJaspal Singh, GM(HR/Admn), Punjab Circle: He extended his greetings through message as he was unable to attend the same due to some urgent unscheduled engagement in the period.

All India President, Shri Ravi Shil Verma: He addressed the august gathering, greeted all the dignitaries available online and thanked all the executives who supported AIGETOA to become No. 1 association in second MV. He Further told that, each and every member and leaders of AIGETOA are aware that, as a majority association we represent all the executives of our beloved organization and as Team AIGETOA through this dais he assured all executives that AIGETOA will not confine to the interest of any particular group and instead will work in the interest of organization and all executives, unlike earlier associations. He informed that the association is in continuous touch with DoT and hurdles regarding 4G rollout and try to ensure that they should be cleared soon. He expressed that every executive should know the need of the hour and shall continue to work for betterment of beloved organization. In conclusion of his speech, he appealed for unity among BR fraternity irrespective of cadre, verticals and wings and requested to all to support and do not indulge in any activity which can be derail the entire process and unity.

General Secretary, Shri Wasi Ahmad: He addressed the august gathering & welcomed all the participants and appreciated the Punjab Circle Team for arranging the event in big and fashionable manner with help the Online VC mode in this pandemic situation. The GS addressed the gathering and elaborated the latest status on all the HR Issues of the Executives as well as appraised the gatherings about the delay in 4G rollout in BSNL and the association efforts to escalate the matter to the highest echelon of the government. He explained in detail about the ongoing preparatory works of AIEL for DPC and issue of JTO to SDE Promotion and failure of the management to fulfill the commitment given on various occasions for issuance of the order. He also apprised that the association has decided to wait for the last commitment of the management for the order by this month failing which the association will seek other recourse to get it resolved. He also apprised about other issues where no serious progress has been made so far by the management even after positive assurance by Director (HR) on various occasions including the agenda meeting held on 15.09.2020. Assurance of Director(HR) about forming of the committee on pay loss issue was also apprised to the members against the input submitted by the association. The association is regularly following up all the issues and giving enough time to the management for peaceful resolution as well as reminding the management about serious repercussion incase of non-resolution of pending issues in a defined time period as assured. He also detailed about the ongoing restructuring process and association stand and efforts to ensure that the policy shouldn’t hamper the promotional avenues of working executives and ensures compliance actual field requirements. GS AIGETOA also apprised the gathering about AIGETOA recent meetings in DoT and the associations efforts in highlighting the serious delay in rollout of 4G service by BSNL as well as shown serious concern about the recent directive of the DoT appointed panel to use indigenous 4G Core for the roll out of the service in the light of the fact that no homegrown company make 4G Core as on date. He apprised that association will take the matter with highest authority in the DoT and the government to protect the interest of the BSNL and sustainability of the company to safeguard the future of 65000 employees. In the last GS extended his best wished for the AGM and Circle Conference of the Circle and hope that the delegates will elect a well balanced and dedicated team for the further progress of the Punjab AIGETOA Chapter.

CS Haryana Sh. Harjinder Singh, CS Himachal Sh. Chander Singh Negi Chairman Legal Committee Sh. Ajay Kaswan: They also addressed the gathering and extended best wishes for the successful AGM cum Circle conference of AIGETOA Punjab. All DS of Punjab Circle submitted their district reports. Circle Secretary Punjab, Shri Vikas Gupta submitted CS report Punjab Circle and financial report was submitted by Finance Secretary Punjab Sh. Ajit Singh & finally Punjab Circle existing body was dissolved. New Circle body was elected as per provisions of the constitution of AIGETOA and the CHQ Observer for the election process was Shri Ajit Singh, JS (North). The following members are unanimously elected as Office Bearers for the Circle Body of Punjab Telecom Circle. Shri Vikas Gupta, SDE 2001 Batch, Shri Yogesh Chhabra JTO 2008 Batch and Shri Vineet Bhandari AO 2004 Batch were elected as Circle President, Circle secretary and Circle finance Secretary respectively. On behalf of AIGETOA CHQ, the AIP and GS congratulated all the members of new Circle Body and extended best wishes for their tenure and assure to extend all support. The Circle Conference concluded with vote of thanks to the House by Shri Mohd. Ahmad.

GS AIGETOA writes to the Hon’ble MoC for the immediate roll out of 4G service by BSNL

GS AIGETOA writes to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad Ji, Hon’ble Minister of Communication, Govt of India with a copy to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and senior functionaries of the government for consideration of our request for protecting the long term sustainability of BSNL by allowing it to upgrade its network for the launch of 4G Services through existing Proven Technologies and at the same time process for development of indigenous 4G/5G technology should also be undertaken in parallel.

We have mentioned that while we welcome the idea of current initiative of Government of India to develop indigenous technologies as part of “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” in Telecom Field also but at the same BSNL should be protected from getting obsolete and redundant due to absence of full-fledged 4G services for a very long period of time in the cut-throat competitive era. We have highlighted that there is no company in India at present, which can provide Made in India core for 4G Technology. This whole technology needs to be developed indigenously and is definitely going to take minimum 1-2 years to ensure a firm and rugged technology in place and another few years after full-fledged rollout to ensure its efficacy and proven-ness in a go-live environment. Till that time, BSNL 4G services cannot be allowed to be affected by virtue of this experiment as it has the potential to ruin the business prospects of the company in totality and will affect the livelihood of around 65000 employees working in BSNL. Accordingly  AIGETOA has requested to allow BSNL to upgrade/expand the network for 4G services through existing proven technologies and as an interim measure 50,000 odd BTSs may be allowed to be upgraded through the add on orders which will enable BSNL to rollout 4G services within minimum possible time.

At the same time, AIGETOA understands and also supports the significance of ATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT in the Telecom field which has an important strategic advantage not only for taking Indian Technologies to the next generation but also is critical for the security of our mother nation. Accordingly, we have suggested that instead of holding the full fledged roll out of 4G Services for the want of indigenous technology, BSNL may be allowed to upgrade the infra through existing available and proven technologies and at the same time, a parallel exercise to develop the indigenous 4G/5G core by reserving some locations and allocating a separate spectrum for testing should be done. Once the technology is in place and its efficacy and proven-nessis ascertained, all the operators should be asked to migrate to the indigenous technology as mandatory condition to rollout 5G services. Since the development of this technology will be in the best interests of the country and will create a new chapter in the Indian Telecom era, Government of India should bear the expenditure for rolling out this Project along with expenses for AMC for five years. Association has also requested for ensuring monetary compensation to BSNL for the delay in roll out of 4G services because of all these issues. Association has further requested that all the Central and State Government Departments, Institutions and PSUs should be asked to mandatorily utilize BSNL mobile services also in line with the recent directive to use BSNL/MTNL lease line/landline/broadband to add revenue potential of BSNL. As doing away with 2G services will be next to impossible for BSNL for next few years and also the fact that these services are still required for many Indian citizens, especially for those below poverty line, AIGETOA has requested for extending the 2G spectrum allotment for next few years and also that the new developed core should not be a 4G only model but should support 2G/3G/4G technologies on the same core. Running two parallel networks for 2G/3G will not only be economically unviable but also will degrade the quality of service also. 

Association has also requested that as BSNL has been totally engaged in carrying forward the telecom vision of government and also Atma Nirbhar Bharat Showcase Model for the Nation, BSNL should be exempted from profitability clause and the company and its employees should be compensated irrespective of Profit/Loss theory and the employees should get all the benefits of employees of BSNL at par with other Grade-A CPSE including that of extending Standard Pay Scales, Superannuation Benefits, Career Progression and other benefits. We have also requested that BSNL should be exempted from the profitability clause and the 3rd PRC should be implemented in BSNL without linking it to the profitability of the company and the additional fund on these counts should be borne out by the Government of India.

Friends, changing the thought process of government are herculean task and we all need to remain united. Association has decided to start a social media campaign also for the same so that government can ensure the long term survival of BSNL by considering the request of its employees.

Click here for letter

AIGETOA supports Lunch Hour Protest Call against the DPE Order:

AIGETOA has extended it support to the Lunch Hour Protest call given by NFTE and AUAB on 24.11.2020 and 25.11.2020 respectively in the larger interest of the employees. All members are requested to support the call.

Earlier, AIGETOA tried to build consensus to have a common call by all the major associations and unions working in BSNL to lodge our strong and unified protest against the DPE Order of freezing the Dearness Allowance of CPSEs Employees. But the same couldn’t be achieved as different platforms issued letter for symbolic protest of lunch hour separately. But AIGETOA will continue its efforts to bring all stake holders under umbrella to fight against this anti employee order of DPE in real sense instead of gimmick.

Click here for our letter