Representation to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on CURRENT STATUS of the BSNL and APPEAL for the INTERVENTION

Dear Friends,

BSNL is passing through a tough time and revival package approved by the Govt of India in Oct-2019 and VRS of more than 78000 employees, reducing the wage bill from 1200 Cr to 560 Cr, have not ended the misery and even the basic right of timely salary and medical needs are absent for the employees. No significant growth in the revenue by BSNL, Non rollout of 4G, No land monetization and ever increasing liabilities of debt is pushing the organisation in a serious vicious cycle. AIGETOA has always raised its voice for sustainability of organisation at all platforms as we understand the serious fallout on the employees recruited by BSNL on account of any mishap in the fortune of the company. In absence of any proper social security measures, the employees recruited by BSNL are very concerned along with other employees for their future due to the current state of the company. So, AIGETOA has decided to raise the voice once again for bringing the organisation on the right track by draw the attention of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and senior dignitaries of the government for the national strategically important asset BSNL.

In this regard, AIGETOA will be running a campaign through memorandum as part its organisation program. The memorandum will be submitted by General Secretary, Circle Secretary District Secretary of the association to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and other senior functionaries of the government from 22nd July, 2021. Our OBs will reach to all employees of BSNL and appeal them to support the movement by submitting the memorandum. We will also be reaching out to the Hon’ble Members of Parliament and the esteemed citizens of the country to support the cause. Every CHQ/CS/DS OBs will try to meet Hon’ble Member of Parliament of their constituency and appraise the prevailing condition of the national asset BSNL and plead for the support by forwarding the memorandum to the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Click here for format of Memorandum to be submitted by GS/CS/DS

Click here for the annexure of the Memorandum

PROPOSED PROGRAM OF AIGETOA

22nd to 26th July 2021: Mass representation by all employees to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Hon’ble Home Minister of India cum Chairman of GoM, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and filing of grievance on PGRMS portal to request for fixing of the reasons/accountability for failure of BSNL Revival Program and wastage of around Rs 69000 Cr of public money of Govt Exchequer.

22nd July 2021: Quitting of all official WhatsApp Groups on protest.

28th July onwards: Start of Non-Cooperation Movement.

4th-5th August 2021: Applying of Two Days Leave as a Protest.

4th-5th August 2021: Two Days Dharna by CHQ, CS & CP OBs at Delhi CO.

AIGETOA once again raised the matter of ERP Team continuation under one Leader for its best coordination and efficiency and settlement of request cases of the executives to their choice places in NCR as assured by the Director (CFA). The remaining executives of ERP Ghaziabad have submitted their request letter to the concerned authority. AIGETOA has compiled these cases and wrote to the Dir(HR) to accommodate the cases as per their choice.

Click here for the letter

AN APPEAL TO ALL EXECUTIVES ON LAST DAY OF MEMBERSHIP CHANGEOVER WINDOW

AIGETOA speak honestly and work dedicatedly for all streams and all grades as we have shown in earlier. It’s a time to shape up your voice and channelize your energy by strengthening the hands of AIGETOA through subscribing its membership. Every member of the association makes an impact in the decision making and focusing the strategy for resolution of the issues. So, your joining will give us more vigor to fight for all your legitimate rights as well as it will further embolden our voice in front of management with your support and work towards sustainability of the organisation also.

We have delivered some results in last one fortnight including the JTO to SDE Promotion, which were shown as impossible task by previous majority association despite of the fact that no situation has changed except that AIGETOA is now working as Majority Association with honest intent. We have categorically assured that all left out cases of 2008 batch will be covered through supplementary DPC by recalculating the vacancies of the period taken into account i.e. Dec 2018. We also hereby assure all other batches JTOs that still vacancies of subsequent years will cater our needs for promotion in SDE grades. The promotion of existing SDEs to the next grade will further provide the opportunities. Now, we will be focusing on AIEL-3 and finish it at the earliest by making it a defined task by ensuring collection of the data in a time bound manner and preparation of the list. We have also met the Director (HR) and held detailed discussion for notification of LDCE for SDE for all pending vacancy years in a short interval. Similarly, we have also demanded for notification for LICE for JTO to fill up the space created by the SDE Promotion. The Dir(HR) has agreed to notify both LDCE and LICE in a short notice. So, your support will definitely give us a reason to work more for the all cadres.

Promotion in the grade of AGM/CAO equivalent is now one of the other neglected area, where our executives are stagnating in the same grade from last 8-17 years and it’s a high time that we all should unit to overcome the situation and ensure promotion to all of colleagues who have already completed the requisite residency. In 2018, the post up-gradation was carried out by BSNL to ensure promotion to bulk of the executives to overcome the legal hurdles. In similar fashion, now the management should realize to promote our people to AGM Grade by utilizing all vacancies to overcome the current legal hurdle. The executives working in AGM grade will automatically vacant the position by moving upward in the channel by occupying the DGM posts. So, management should find a way to ensure one promotion to all SDEs/AOs, who have completed their residency period before restructuring finalization and may take the works as per the need of the organisation. This will give much needed respite to these executives, in the current time where our employees are suffering with delayed salary, no pay revision, no timely medical facilities, no suitable Pensionary mechanism to BSNL recruited employees and no other entitled benefits from the company.

Similarly our colleagues in Civil, Electrical, Architecture, CSS, CSSS, Telecom Factory is stagnating for much more than the requisite residency period and must be promoted to next higher grade to keep them motivated for the progress of the organisation in one of the most difficult time.

The issues of E2 Pay Scale for JAO/JTOs are affecting our youngest lot of executives who are suffering with severe pay loss on account of the E1 scale and their sagging moral needs to be upgraded by extending E2 Scale to all JAO/JTO for addressing their one of the most awaited issue. Similarly, other issues are also haunting the executives and their settlement is also our priority as already discussed in the agenda meetings. We are confident to settle them with our rigorous persuasion and determination and with the help from all our members as well executive’s fraternity.

In the last, one again, we appeal all my executives to subscribe the membership of AIGETOA if not done till date, as today is the last day to give up more power and support to fight for your cause as well as for the sustainability of the organisation.

As assured in the Agenda meeting, Estt. branch of BSNL CO has referred the matter to GM Restg. of BSNL CO to expedite the matter of E1 plus Five Increments Pending before BSNL Board by convening the meeting of HR committee of BSNL Board. It is expected that by next week Restg branch will issue letter to committee members in DOT to for necessary action for expediting the decisions.

Since, a good and positive environment was created from the management side by considering and acting timely on some agenda points which included one of the major issue of JTO to SDE DPC, the association also reciprocated and did not press organizational programs of the served notice dated 18.06.2021. But the recent unreasonable speaking order issued by BSNL to change its own decision of August 2020 to even deny the quota in a vacancy year (inflicting serious damage to the meritorious candidates) despite of the ongoing discussion is nothing but breach of trust by the management and it has created serious resentments in fields. Further, management’s efforts to curtail down number of posts through restructuring process has made the executives restless as it will be further depleting the very limited promotional avenues available to the executives resulting in huge stagnation in every grades and many other HR issues are also pending for resolution. This forced the association to rethink its earlier stand and as decided in the All India CHQ, CS & CP Meet, AIGETOA has served revised notice for organizational programs with amended schedule to lodge our strong protest and seek the kind attention of the management against the injustice and severe stagnation in the career prospects and settlement of the long pending Hr Issues, Revival & Sustainability of BSNL and Timely Payment of Salary.

Click here for the Notice

DEMANDS

• Timely disbursement of salary on last working day of the respective months.

• BSNL’s Revival in its true spirit with full focus on maintenance/coverage related issues.

• Supplementary DPC for left out candidates by re-verification of vacancies and immediate notifications of LDCE for all vacancy years for the SDET Grade.

• Extending Immediate Promotions in SDET to AGM (T) grade, as SDETs are stagnating in the grade for 8 to 17 yrs. Similarly extending promotion in JAO to AO, AO to CAO, DGM equivalent and parity in promotions in other streams i.e. Elect, Civil, Arch, CSS, CSSS and Telecom Factory.

• Provision of enough posts in promotional grades as proposed by the association in the ongoing Man Power Planning of Executives (Restructuring Plan) to ensure smooth career progression. Introduction of Internal Fast Track Promotion Mechanism and Scraping of MT RRs.

• Reviewing the unreasonable speaking order and continuing of SDE Seniority List-9 and circulation of subsequent lists (based on VY basis, in line with Quota specified for LDCE & SCF).

• Extension of E2 scales for JAO/JTO equivalent grade and E3 scales for AO/SDE equivalent grade and settlement of Pay Loss Issue (E1+5 and 22820/- and Pay fixation of DR JE to JTO).

• Enhancement of total SAB to 30% (shortage of 8.2%) and formation of PRMB Trust with defined contribution. Deposit of pending SAB amount (due since April-2020) with interest.

• Onetime settlement of LDCE-2007 SDE Reversion issue as assured in 1st Agenda Meeting and Streamlining of Bond Related issues of newly recruited JAO/JTOs as per agenda meeting item.

• Compassionate Ground Appointment to nearest dependent of the employees, who met untimely death during the current Covid Pandemic Period by treating it as Death on Duty.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRAMS & SCHEDULE

22nd to 26th July 2021 : Mass representation by all employees to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Hon’ble Home Minister of India cum Chairman of GoM, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and filing of grievance on PGRMS portal to request for fixing of the accountability for failure of BSNL Revival Program and wastage of around Rs 69000 Cr of public money of Govt Exchequer.

22th July 2021 – Quitting of all official WhatsApp Groups on protest.

28th July onwards – Start of Non-Cooperation Movement.

4th and 5th August 2021 – Two Days Dharna by CHQ, CS and CP OBs at Delhi CO HQs.

4th and 5th August 2021 – Applying of Two Days Leave as a Protest.

BSNL Management has asked AIGETOA to submit views of association to the committee constituted for the pay loss of executives recruited in E-1 scale (Issue of Rs 22820 as initial basic pay).

Click here for letter

Team AIGETOA comprising of Shri Ravi Shil Verma AIP, Shri Wasi Ahmad GS and Shri Badri Kumar Mehta met with the CMD BSNL in the afternoon and again the team comprising of Shri Wasi Ahmad GS, Shri Badri Kumar Mehta VP and Shri Vaibhav Goyal CHQ Adv met Dir HR in the evening for more than an hour on 12.07.2021 to lodge the protest against the unreasonable Speaking Order released on 09.07.2021 and demand for the promotion in grades and sufficient posts in restructuring.

Speaking Order and seniority list: The association lodged strong protest and argued against the unreasonable speaking order with both CMD & Dir HR and demanded to consider the demand of association to not go ahead to revise the seniority list and wait for the legal opinion to reach. It was told to them that the released order is against the basic ethos of the SDE RR 2002 which defines the Quota for LDCE and SCF in each vacancy year. It is a gross injustice to place and LDCE qualified SDE of VY 2006-07 below to 2008-09 SCF Promoted SDE in the seniority list. This thought process of denying justice to the meritorious executives due to one reason or other has always causes loss to the BSNL Recruited Employees and a setback to the organisation. The CMD BSNL and Director HR have given positive assurance to consider our requests.

Restructuring & Promotion: The CMD and Dir HR agreed with concern of the association that stagnation in same grade beyond a reasonable period by the executives is detrimental for the organisation growth. We argued that every executive has a right to grow in his career to a sufficient position in his career life but the initial proposal of the Man Power Planning is totally contrary to the principle due to drastic reduction in the promotion post. The CMD and Director HR both asked to submit the presentation on the restructuring by the due date of 16.07.2021. We demanded for holding of a restructuring meeting with the association and management under chairmanship of the CMD BSNL, to which he agreed. The CMD BSNL told that he is ready to listen the view points of the association and not averse to the promotion of our officers. The association will be holding meeting with CMD BSNL soon after the submission of proposal. The promotion of the AGM and CAO grades were also discussed with the Director (HR) but it was apprised by him that due to SLP filed in Hon’ble SC, the promotion on these posts is not feasible till decision on the SLP. The association demanded to extend one promotion to all executives including AGM/CAO, who have completed their residency period in the substantive grade.

DPC for left JTOs of 2008 batch: We requested the Director (HR) that left out JTOs of 2008 batch are completely frustrated and so their promotion should be ensured. We apprised him that recalculating of vacancies can give sufficient number of posts to cater the need. The Dir(HR) agreed to our request and assured to direct the Pers Cell for the same. We also demanded holding of LDCEs for SDET and LICE for JTOs for all pending vacancy years at a short interval of one month time separately to which he agreed and apprised that the management is also contemplating to hold the LDCE for SDE and LICE for JTO on immediate basis. This is also one of our long pending demands.

ERP Posting: It was apprised to the Dir HR that it was agreed by the Dir CFA to accommodate all remaining executives of ERP in NCR who couldn’t get posted in ERP modules. He assured to settle all cases within NCR as per their request. The available list of 13 request cases of ERP Ghaziabad handed over to the Dir HR for their choice posting.

GS writes to CMD BSNL with strong protest on the pronounced Speaking Order dated 09.07.2021 subverting the rights of LDCE qualified executives and weakening of basic essence of SDE RR 2002.

Click here for letter

In view of the unreasonable speaking order issued by management, AIGETOA has decided to lodge it’s strong protest against the unjustified order, which deny even the legitimate right of quota within vacancy year in sde seniority list.

The Team AIGETOA under AIP and GS will meet to the CMD and Director HR and personally lodge the protest and convey the strong resentment prevailing in the fields due to this order.

Program at all three levels:

Corporate Office, Circle Offices & SSA HQ

All our members and other executives will assemble in the lunch hour as a protest against this black order to express their resentment and demand for justice.

BSNL released the speaking order suppressing all genuine rights of the qualified LDCE Executives who have been even denied the quota in the vacancy year wise. This is a completely wrong and biased interpretation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court Order and suppression of Merit in BSNL. It is also a breach of trust with the association that without consulting it, the Pers Cell has gone ahead to release the speaking order in contrary terms by subverting the rights of the LDCE Executives. This thought process is detrimental for the organization where the merit is always pushed to the last bench. The association will not accept this decision and oppose through all means.

Click here for the speaking order