Shri Ravi Shil Verma All India Chairman, Shri Veerabhadra Rao All India President, Shri Pavan Akhand General Secretary, Shri PN Sharma Convener, Shri Badri Kumar Mehta Finance Secretary, Shri Yogendra Kumar AGS, Shri Sunil Gautam Kumar AGS and Shri Chander Singh Negi CS Himachal Pradesh met Hon’ble CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar Ji and Director (HR) on 21st March 2023 for discussions on the earlier submitted agenda points on the issues related to executives. The following points have been elaborately discussed and decisions taken as per following details:

1.  JTO to SDE promotions :

AIGETOA Team clearly elaborated on the precarious situation of the JTOs belonging to 2008 batch who have been left out during last promotions. We also said that with board approval of new SDERRs and the issue getting struck up at DoT, all promotions from JTO to SDE has stopped. We have clearly explained the issue and mental agony to CMD BSNL and Director HR. We also said that despite assurances many a times, the issue is yet to be resolved. We also said, further eligible candidates of subsequent batch are also pending to promoted. We highlighted that it was assured to us that issue shall be resolved by 15^th March 2023 in the agenda meeting, but still no action has been taken.

CMD BSNL told us that due to certain observations on the part of DoT, the RRs could not be notified. He further assured us that necessary modifications in the SDE RR has been done and the same has been approved by Management Committee of the Board. CMD BSNL assured that he is expecting to get it approved by BSNL Board in next few days and immediately thereafter, the promotions shall be executed. CMD BSNL assured us that there will not be any delay as necessary actions are being taken expeditiously.

We also requested for starting the preparatory exercise for subsequent batches. It was assured that all efforts shall be taken to fill up the available vacancies at the earliest and LDCE shall also be notified for all the available posts as on date so that all eligible JTOs who have completed their residency period can aspire to be promoted through LDCE route.

2. SDE Reversal Issue :

We have explained about the issue and the mental agony of our executives and also explained the legal issues. CMD BSNL’s initial reply was that the issue is sub-judice and he will wait for the case outcome to take any action. However, we explained that the pending cases do not hold any significance as it is for management to take action and the LDCE-2007 reversal candidates have filed all such cases under compulsion from BSNL and once the issue is resolved, the cases shall automatically cease to exist.

After detailed discussions, CMD BSNL told that he is aware that a committee is working for resolution of this issue and advised us to wait for the outcome. Director HR also assured that committee is working diligently to resolve the issue and they shall be submitting the report shortly. He assured that the necessary action to resolve the issue shall be taken in next few days. 

3. SDE to AGM Promotions and Review of Cadre Structure:

The AIGETOA team submitted their detailed calculations to CMD BSNL to ensure how the all eligible SDEs can be promoted to the AGM grade without tweaking the defined structure. We also emphasized upon the need for increasing the vacancies in various cadres/streams in view of the BBNL merger, New Projects like 4G saturation, 5 Lacs FTTH connections, 4G Rollout etc. We also highlighted that the two year period of implementation of the revised cadre strength effective from 01.02.2020 is already over and there is need for revisiting the cadre strength in all streams as per the earlier restructuring instructions issued. We also emphasized upon the fact that all such projects can be executed by the in-house employees only and BSNL should not expect that outsourced manpower will ever execute such difficult works.

CMD BSNL agreed with our view and told Director HR to direct the HR team to work on this review and submit all the necessary calculations based on the man hours required to complete all such projects.  He also told to start the cadre strength review work and directed HR team to initiate the work on this.

CMD BSNL also told that he has heard the association’s inputs with regard to the calculation and Directed HR team to have a thorough study of the same and get a firm view on the total number of vacancies which can be created in the AGM cadre for the promotions.  The gesture of CMD BSNL and Director HR was positive on the inputs submitted by the association.

4. AO to CAO Promotions :

AIGETOA Team highlighted the developments in the last hearing and requested CMD BSNL to continue the Senior Advocate from Supreme Court for further hearings also.

CMD BSNL accepted our request and assured the Senior advocate will continue for next few hearings also.

5. AGM to DGM Promotions :

We requested for issuance of promotions from AGM to DGM grade. It was told that regular promotions in DGM grade is not possible till Hon’ble Court does not permit the same.

However, after detailed discussions, CMD BSNL told Director (HR) to explore the AGM to DGM (Adhoc) promotions and said that till the time regular promotions are not made, at least the DGM Ad-hoc Promotions can be extended in the interim period and once court gives go ahead, regular promotions can be given thereafter.  

6. 147 Reversal Issue :

Issue of reversal of Executives Belonging to the 147 group who have been reverted by mis interpreting the judgement of Hon’ble Court was also discussed. We highlighted the current updates and the status of the case at various courts and informed that 4 weeks time was sought by BSNL advocate and requested that BSNL must do the justice now. We said that we firmly expect that the cases will be decided in favour of these applicants, but the damage which has been done to them w.r.t career, financial and social front cannot be undone. Same holds true for the Executives belonging to the List 12 and 13 also who despite clearing the exam for earlier vacancies have been kept junior to those who failed the exam. We requested that BSNL must be considerate towards the issues of competitive quota people and must render justice to them at least now. 

7. Sabbatical Leave :

We requested CMD BSNL for action as per his earlier assurance, CMD BSNL said that in view of the changes scenario of BSNL specially after the extension of 2^nd Revival package, this request cannot be accepted.

8.  Trainings for Executive :

CMD BSNL also emphasized upon the need for better training to staff as in the changed scenario of the organisation, he is of the view that the staff working in BSNL must be trained on better technologies, Sales and Marketing etc. Association also emphasised upon the need for providing better resources to the training centers as it has been felt that on training part also, BSNL in house Master Trainers have been doing the job in a better way than the out sourced trainers. We requested BSNL must concentrate on creating in house trainers.  Association side requested CMD BSNL to provide the training for all the fields officers as per the BSNL requirement and also to sales and marketing staff to make them aware about the latest technologies with respect to 4G/5G etc and also all other technologies being implemented in BSNL.

CMD BSNL appreciated the concern of the association and stated that Management is ready for expenditure for training and they will definitely devise a plan to give the training to all the executives to make them future ready for new technologies. CMD BSNL told that our work force will be trained to handle 4G/5G customers service issues.  CMD also assured that he is open to suggestion from association in this regard and all such inputs shall definitely be taken care of. Association side assured that they will be submitting the suggestions in this regard.

9. Death Relief Fund (DRF) :

We have explained about this issue elaborately and requested to launch DRS immediately and implement it at the earliest. CMD BSNL told that he shares the concern of association on this equally and will take all necessary action to put the same in place. He said that there has been certain reservations from few corners on this, however he assured that he will ensure that the DRF is implemented in BSNL.

10. Issues which have Financial Implication :

On the financial issues, CMD BSNL was not very committal but assured us that rightful dues shall definitely be taken care of once the financial condition of BSNL improves a bit. We told that there was an assurance from his side for considering the issues after reviewing the financial position of BSNL after 31^st March 2023. CMD BSNL told that as on date the revenue position of BSNL has not improved much except for the fact that now there is feeling of some comfort and earlier uncertainty with respect to future of BSNL do not exist now. He advised us to exercise a bit more patience and assured that with increase in financial health of BSNL, all the pending issues shall be resolved.

Association shall however will not rest on this and will keep on raising the issues at all available forums and platforms. We are trying to meet Hon’ble Minister also to seek his kind blessings in addressing the long pending Pay Scale, Pay Loss and Superannuation related issues.

11. BTS uptime Related Issues :

CMD BSNL informed that Battery sets have been made available throughout circles and now there should not be any excuse for not maintaining the uptime. He told that all those circles where the uptime is very low must be sensitised by association also as there has been circles in BSNL where uptime is as high as 99.5 percent with same resources. He assured that other issues related to BTS maintenance is also under process and all the issues related BTS will be resolved soon. He told us to convey down the line that the BTS uptime must be kept at least 99% to increase the revenue and market share.

12. Issue related to Temporary Advance :

Issues related to the officers not getting their temporary advance due to technical or administrative reasons on being transferred from one Circle to another circle or from one SSA to other SSA was also discussed. Association side was requested to highlight the specific cases and assured us for necessary corrective action.

We request all circle secretaries to collect the data of such cases and furnish the same to concerned CGM as well as to CHQ for further corrective action in this regard.

13. Revision for TA & DA Rules :

The precarious situation of field officers with respect to not getting proper TA/DA while on outstation duty was also discussed in detail. We explained that as a result executives are reluctant to go for out station work as huge money is being spent from their pockets while on tour. We also informed CMD BSNL that while there has been a revision for TA/DA for the officers up to DGM Level in 2017, the officers of JTO/JAO/SDE/AO/AGM/CAO/Equivalent grade and even non executives have not been revised and they all are being forced to work on old rates of 2002 which is not sufficient for even one time meal outside.

After initial reluctance, CMD and Director HR finally acknowledged our concern and assured us that the matter shall be taken up by concerned section for revisiting the rates and to see what best can be done to overcome this situation. All efforts shall be taken to make it in line with the contemporary government rules.

14. Approval of Pay Standard Scales :

CMD BSNL told that BSNL has done its part and the action on BSNL proposal is to be taken by administrative ministry.

Association will take up the issue at appropriate office at DOT as well as with Hon’ble MoC.

15. MT Issue :

We requested for stopping the process as the notification contains many flaws. CMD BSNL apprised that issue is sub-judice and told that appropriate action as per direction of the court shall be taken.

16. Cashless Hospitals :

We have requested the management to approve at least 5 hospitals in the circle headquarters and one hospital at each district headquarters on the cashless basis as empanelled hospitals are not allowing the patients of BSNL families on MRS card. CMD BSNL told us we have cleared all the hospitals pending bills and there is no pending bill of any hospital in the country. So, there should not be any issues in empanelment of hospitals on cashless basis.

Director HR informed that Admin Cell of BSNL CO has already been given directions to work on this and necessary discussions with CGMS are on.

17. Hard Tenure stations and Soft Tenue stations for some circles and for some SSAs. –

We clearly explained about these issues, 4G saturation project difficulties and very difficult areas to provide the services in our remote area customers. We Requested the management to provide the facilities like soft tenure and Hard Tenure for some stations and also for some other circles also in line with our earlier submissions in this regard.

CMD and DIR HR told that this is under consideration and told that though inputs from many circles have been received and few are in process of sending the same. He told that consolidated instructions in this regard shall be issued very soon.

18. Discuss about Rule 8 and Rule 9 :

Association side raised the issue of pending Rule 8 cases and waiting list in SDE cadre for Hard Tenure Area. We requested for consideration of these waiting lists in both cadres on interchangeable basis .

However, CMD BSNL told  that transfer against such interchangeable options cannot be done as both are different cadres and their strengths have been decided based on the need of field units and circles. However, he assured that they will try to give the transfers to these officers by arranging at local level.

19. OTP Transfers Cases :

We have requested the management to consider about the OTP request transfer at the earliest possible. The management side told that it will take some more time as some stations are to be declared as soft / hard tenure stations in some circles. The Circle response is awaited and, in all likelihood, the orders in this regard shall be issued in next few days. It was further informed that volunteers shall also be called for working in the tenure areas.  

A request was also made to CMD BSNL to appreciate the staff of BSNL which carried the burden of revival and survival in its worst days by spending lakhs and lakhs of Rupees from their own pockets. We emphasised that a general perception has been created about the BSBL staff that they do not work and as a result, a very negative image of BSNL employees being not interested in work has been created before all. We said that management must take this responsibility of shredding the negative image of its staff before general public as well as on social media. We requested for issuance of statement by management in this regard. The same was agreed by CMD BSNL as well as Director HR.

On behalf of AIGETOA, we extend our heartful thanks to our hon’ble CMD BSNL and our beloved Director HR  for sparing their valuable time with us to discuss elaborately on each & every point and assurance for resolving the issues which can be resolved and for also being categorical in denying the things which they cannot extend. We sincerely hope for a positive consideration and holistic implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting.

GS writes to Director HR with request for granting a formal meeting to AIGETOA with respect to the various agenda points pertaining to long pending HR issues of BSNL Executives.

Click here for letter

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.

Click here for letter

Minutes of the formal agenda meeting of AIGETOA held with BSNL Management on 09.02.2022 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Director HR issued. The meeting was attended by the PGM/Sr. GM/GM of all Vertical Heads and chaired by the Director HR. The association side was represented by the All India President, General Secretary and Assistant General Secretaries in the meeting. Minutes covered all points as discussed in the meeting and we are hopeful that the management will abide by the assurance given in the meeting for resolution of all outstanding issues in a time bound manner.

Click here for the MoM

The 3rd formal agenda meeting of AIGETOA was held in physical mode on 09.02.2022 at Conference Hall, BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Director(HR) and participated by PGM Pers, Sr GM Estt, Sr GM SR, GM Admin, GM Restg, GM Rectt, Sr GM CA and other officers of BSNL Corporate Office New Delhi. The association side was represented by Shri Ravi Shil Verma AIP, Shri Wasi Ahmad GS, Shri Badri Kumar Mehta VP, Shri Yogendra Kumar AGS, Shri Sunil Gautam AGS and Shri Rajendra Singh Exe Member.

The meeting started with welcome address by Sr GM SR and opening remarks by the All India President and General Secretary, AIGETOA CHQ. The meeting lasted for more than 3.5 hrs and constructive discussion was held on each agenda items. The interest and aspirations of executives were put forth strongly in the meeting by the association and management came up with complete plan and several commitments on the range of issues discussed. Details will be issued through minutes of the meeting by the SR Cell. In the meantime, the highlights of the meeting are as stated below:

Click here for the details

Click here for Glimpses of Meeting

SR Cell issued letter to hold formal agenda meeting of AIGETOA with the management. The meeting will be attended by the PGM Pers, Sr GM Estt., Sr GM SR, GM Admin, GM Restg and GM Recruitment. The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of the Dir(HR). A slot of 7-9 Feb, 2022 has been allocated for the meeting. 

Click here for the letter

An agenda Meeting was held today at 4 pm which went up to around 8:15 pm. The meeting was attended by President Shri Ravi Shil Verma, GS Shri Wasi Ahmad, Vice President Shri Badri Kumar Mehta, Dy GS Shri Deepak Shahoo and OS Shri Vivek Kumar Singh. The meeting was chaired by Director HR and was attended by PGM Pers, Sr GM Estt, Sr GM SR, Sr GM Admin, Sr GM (CA), GM Restg, GM Rectt, GM Trg, GM (WS&I) and other officers from HR wing. The agenda meeting was fully video recorded by Management and placed on record. All the points in the agenda Meeting were discussed threadbare and resolution are seen in sight on many issues.

The meeting held positively including some heated moments, when the association has to emphasize and remind failure of the management to act decisively to resolve basic issues of Pay and Promotion of executives which was firmly committed on multiple occasions. It is nothing but testing the patience of executives, who are restraining and extending nonstop cooperation despite of all odds in a hope that the next morning will be brighter in lieu of the BSNL Revival Package and full BSNL Board is in place after a long time but the darkness of stand stillness in almost all HR Issues still continues and challenging times in the absence of any proper support of MMM are not coming to an end. This situation can’t be allowed indefinitely and wordings of the association leaders may not be sounding well for the management in today’s meeting but it’s a harsh reality of the frustration growing sharply in each and every mind of the employees. If management couldn’t sense this anger in time, the resurrection of help up organizational protest is bound to happen, which will be detrimental for the organisation but the responsibilities will purely lie on the shoulder of management including HR Vertical. We are putting these facts straight to caution the management about the ground realities and employees should not be blamed for any such repercussion.

Discussion Abstract:

A major breakthrough has been achieved in pay related issues with management agreeing to send a revised proposal to DoT with highlighting of situation post VRS and almost NIL implications on Pension Part which was a major hitch in DoT for accepting the E2 scales. We have discussed the matter with senior officers at DoT also and we hope that positive breakthrough can be achieved. On the Pay loss related issues of 22820, E1 plus Five increments and TTA recruited as JTO in outsider quota, Director HR has directed to constitute a committee and examine all the new inputs given by AIGETOA. It was also agreed to extend the ambit of E1 plus Five Increments to all batches including the newly recruited GATE JTOs and JAOs. A reminder will be sent to DoT for expeditious submission of report by HR Committee. On promotion front, management informed that orders from court are expected soon. We requested management to issue the orders immediately on which management affirmed their commitment to execute the same expeditiously. List 9 and JAO gradation list will be issued within June 2021. The preparatory exercise for SDE to DE and AO to CAO will be started soon after the list 9 is finalized in June2021.

On increasing the SAB, management was non-committal, on health insurance, Committee will examine the financial implications and submit the report. Bond issues will be revisited and Rule 8 process shall be streamlined and made online. Rule 9 policy to be issued within June and genuine pending cases to be considered. The discriminatory Rule 8 clause for GATE JTOs to be removed and new guidelines on Rule 8 will be issued to circles in June. FTTH connection shall be allowed on service connections also. With respect to restructuring, AIGETOA will be called within one week for discussion on submissions given earlier. LICE for JE to JTO will be notified within one month. For maintenance and 4G issues, a separate agenda meeting will take place with Directors of other verticals and association has to submit the agenda points. CGA and extending BCF fund to all deaths in the current pandemic time was also discussed.

Click here for the agenda points, management’s stand and Association’s stand on the issues along with the final conclusion on the issue

Friends, all the above discussions are video recorded and hence there is no scope for any ambiguity or chest thumping. We don’t Claim we have achieved moon but we have moved the steps further and progress is clearly visible. We won’t like to make tall claims and would like to submit with all humility that Association is taking all necessary steps for getting the issues resolved. But this fact can’t be ignored that the current situation in country because of Covid has affected the working everywhere including BSNL CO. Many officers dealing the issues were Covid Positive and slowly things have started to regain normalcy and we are back on Job. This is one of the major causes of delay in resolution, which we need to appreciate but it doesn’t mean that we are going to give any relaxation to the management for failure to address these issues which are long pending.

On a lighter note, even Hon’ble supreme Court has exempted this pandemic time from the limitation criteria and accordingly we request all executives also to understand the practical difficulties and situation while citing our timelines in Shapath Patra. We once again reaffirm our commitment to ensure resolution for the issues as per commitment and request you all to understand the practical difficulties in pursuing the things keeping current situation in mind.

Some people, under the influence of those opposed to AIGETOA are on propaganda spree and we don’t mind that either because some people are basically born to criticize, and this criticism is an essential part of any System. Hence, we leave it onto people to judge the truthfulness, honesty and commitment of our leadership for resolving the issues.

Finally You May Love Us, You May Hate Us but We remain committed to spread positivity, hope and affection across the organisation even to those who don’t leave a single second go waste in criticising AIGETOA and its leadership.

Together We Will…Definitely

Dear Colleagues,

AIGETOA proposed second agenda meeting with the management under chairmanship of Director (HR), BSNL Board is schedule to be held on either of 10th, 11th or 12th June, 2021 as informed by the Sr GM SR. The agenda points have already been submitted to the management and attached for your reference. The meeting is happening on a long gap and after little respite in the Covid-19 Pandemic, which was one of the worst nightmares for the whole country including BSNL, where more than 200 precious lives of our fellow employees of the organisation met unfortunate end.

So, we invite your concerns and suggestion with specific points (if any) to be raised in the meeting other than the submitted agenda points. You may submit your observation and suggestions in the Google sheet enclosed. We are looking for constructive feedback in this regard.

Click here of the Google sheet to capture the response

Here, we would like to assure that any delay tactics from the management side will not be accepted as enough is enough. Any denial or delayed response will be met with strong organizational action from association side.

Click here for the submitted agenda points

2nd Formal Agenda Meeting of AIGETOA with BSNL Management:

As per BSNL REA Rule-2014 the formal agenda meeting of Recognized Representative Executive Association has to be carried out once in a quarter to take the issues of the executives and policy decision with the BSNL Management. As the AIGETOA is the representative association and last meeting held on 15-09-2020 and four months have passed and so the association has written to the BSNL Management to hold the 2nd meeting immediately.

Click here for letter

Click here for Agenda Points