Call Attention Program Full 30% Superannuation Benefits w.e.f. 01.01.2007, Compensatory Ground Appointment (CGA) and immediate monetary relief to families of the deceased BR Employees

Late Sh. Vijay Kumar Bansal, SDE BSNL (Left for his heavenly abode on 06.05.2022)

AIGETOA CHQ pays its tribute to Late Shri Vijay Kumar Bansal SDE ITPC Chandigarh and vows to carry forward the fight of Proper Social Security Cover of BSNL Recruited Employees to the highest Echelons of Management and apprise the Desperate, Vulnerable and Hopeless situation of the Families of Deceased Employees Recruited by BSNL due to pathetic condition of the ‘Superannuation Benefit Pension Mechanism’ and absence of any other support like CGA/Monetary Support etc. This has lead to the precarious situation to many families of BSNL, after the sole bread winner met any eventuality during the service period. It’s the duty of all of us to Ask for Justice for such families and fulfills our obligation towards our colleagues and their families.

For understanding the issue, we can broadly classify the employees working in BSNL in three Major Categories as detailed:

1. Employees absorbed from the DoT, Govt of India and working on regular roll of BSNL. These employees covered through government pension through a special provision of Rule-37A. In the event of superannuation/ retirement or unfortunate demise during the service, the family is entitled for the Govt Pension and well protected financially.
2. Employees working on deputation in BSNL and not on regular roll. They can go to their parent government organisation at any point of time and fully covered through Government Pension and entitled benefits.
3. The last sets of Employees are those recruited by BSNL both in Executives and Non-Executives categories. This set of Employees doesn’t have Govt Pension and their Social Security is covered through half cooked Superannuation Benefit (SAB) Scheme of 2nd PRC only. BSNL Gazette Notification states to create a Pension Mechanism for BSNL Recruited Employees and 2nd PRC recommended for 30% defined contribution under SAB w.e.f. 01.01.2007 comprising of EPF, Gratuity, PRMB and SAB Pension Fund. But despite of these provisions, BSNL Recruited Employees are getting only EPF-12%, 3% under SAB Pension Fund w.e.f 04.05.2016 which was enhanced to 5% w.e.f 01.04.2017 and 4.8% under Gratuity, which total for 21.8% defined contribution against 30%, a shortfall of 8.2% in quantum and 10 years in the period of implementation w.e.f. 01.01.2007. Whereas the BSNL Gazette Notification provision for Pension since the date of inception of BSNL remained a Non-Starter.

Even the existing 5% SAB Pension Fund, which is managed by LIC, has a backlog of payment causing recurring loss of interest for the delayed payment. As on date the SAB Pension Fund has been cleared only upto March-2021 and more than one year contribution of more than 150 Cr is pending at the end of BSNL.

The above reasons have created a completely insecure situation and acute hardship to the families in case of any eventuality to their sole bread winner and employee recruited by BSNL, a 100% Govt owned CPSE. The only recurring support is coming in the range of Rs 2000-2500 from the existing SAB Pension Fund and similar amount through EPS-1995 provision under EPF. One can understand the suffering of a family and the acute difficulty in managing the household, education and medical in such a peanut amount in case of any sad demise of the employees, when the whole responsibility is pending due to younger age. This is a complete discrimination among various sets of Employees in BSNL and must be raised to resolve the issue relates with humanity. In view of the said precarious situation of BSNL Recruited Executives and Employees, the association has decided to press for their issue by demanding full Social Security Cover and holding various programs to highlight the Cause. All are request to extend their full support.

DEMANDS

• Extending Pensionary Benefits to all BSNL Recruits from the date of their joining of service in line with the provisions extended by Government of India while corporatizing the Telecom Operations Part of DoT in the name of BSNL.
• Extend Full 30% SAB as defined Contribution to BSNL Recruits in line with the DPE guidelines of 2nd PRC by enhancing Quantum of SAB w.e.f. 01.01.2007 (Presently Shortfall in SAB is 8.2%). Immediate deposit of full outstanding amount of the ongoing fund with interest.
• Restoring CGA appointments in BSNL and making necessary changes in the CGA policy to bring families of deceased BSNL Recruits in the ambit and make them eligible for CGA appointments.
• Extending immediate monetary relief to families of the deceased BSNL Recruited employees.

CALL ATTENTION PROGRAM

Submission of Memorandum to the Hon’ble Governors at state level by the Circle Team, Hon’ble Members of Parliament by CHQ/Circle/BA Team and to Hon’ble District Magistrates by BA Team across the Country with a request for kind intervention for ensuring Social Security to BSNL Recruited Employees and their Families – 10.06.2022 to 30.06.2022.

Submission of Memorandum to all CGMs/BA Heads across BSNL on – 30.06.2022

Pad Yatra Program to pay tribute to the departed soul of Late Shri Vijay Kumar Bansal Ji and raise the issue of Social Security to BSNL Recruited Employees under the aegis of Punjab Circle Team through Colleagues, Well Wishers and Family Members – Starting on 20th June’2022 from the Circle Office Campus, Chandigarh and reaching to BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi on 30th June’2022 and Submission of Memorandum to the Hon’ble CMD BSNL.

Twitter Campaign on Social Security to BSNL Recruited Employees – 07.07.2022

If the concerned authorities do not come forward and provide complete resolution of the issue by 30th September 2022, the AIGETOA CHQ will be forced to start the program of Hunger Fast till final Resolution of Superannuation Benefit Issue – Hunger Fast w.e.f. 01.10.2022.

Click here for the Call Attention Program Letter

GS AIGETOA served a Call Attention Program to the CMD BSNL to extend Full 30% Superannuation Benefits w.e.f. 01.01.2007, Compensatory Ground Appointment (CGA) and immediate monetary relief to families of the deceased BSNL Recruited employees.

Click here for letter

An Organisation Action Program started under the banner of the Forum of BSNL Executives’ Associations by serving notice on 30.11.2021 for the charter of demands. In the meantime, two meetings of the leaders of the Forum were held under the Chairmanship of the Director (HR) on 14.12.2021 and 28.12.2021, which was attended by the PGM (Pers) and Sr GM SR also. All the issues were discussed in detail by the leaders and concerns were raised to the management with regard to the items in the Charter of Demands. Director HR listened to all issues patiently and assured that the issues are being taken up on priority for resolution. He further assured that the promotions which are lingering on due to pending court cases shall be pursued and possibilities will be explored through legal advice for its early resolution. It was categorically informed by Director HR that management is not in a position to implement earlier approved CPSU Proposal due to various complexities associated with it. However, Director HR assured that a Time Bound Promotion Mechanism will be introduced by addressing the stagnation criteria in the JTO/JAO and equivalent Grades and SDE/AO Equivalent Grades beyond the stipulated sanctioned strength. It was told that management will ensure that stagnation issue as raised by association shall be taken up as part of Recruitment Rule Modification Exercise.

It was also assured that the standard Pay Scale issue of E2 for JTO/JAO equivalent grade and E3 for SDE/AO equivalent grade will be pursued aggressively with the DoTand the ongoing exercise with respect to MTNL/BSNL will smoothen it further.

With respect to scrapping of MT RR and DR DGM RR, it was assured that the these RRs are being revisited and matter shall be discussed with association for scrapping the existing RRs and implementation of Internal Fast Track mechanism for meritorious executives. Management assured a positive and firm Consideration of this issue also.

The SDE Reversal Issue has once again been acknowledged by the Director HR and PGM Pers also agreed to resolve it at the earliest. Finally, An Appeal was issued by the Management on 29.12.2021 to consider for the withdrawal of the call.  

Thereafter an internal meeting was held and all the aspects were discussed in detail. It was acknowledged that the most crucial thing will be to remain on discussion table when RRs (JTO/SDE/MT/MSRR etc) are being revisited and modified.Letting management go escort free at this crucial time will not be prudent decision and that too when the thing which we are vouching for has been categorically denied and appears very distant to be implemented. BSNL Recruits have already faced an irreparable loss at the time of EPP policy framing and MS RR issuance just because of absence of our voice during that exercise. We don’t want any further loss to our cadre hence to remain present on discussion board when future is being written should be primary duty and when management is agreeing to address our concern through amicable discussions, it becomes furthermore important.Time Bound Criteria through Stagnation for JTO/JAO/Equivalent to AGM/CAO equivalent Grades has to be incorporated through these Recruitment Rules only and keeping away at this crucial juncture may jeopardize the interest of the Executives Fraternity. The approval of Scale for E2 and E3 is an important task where management has shown positive gesture for keenly pursuing the approval of the scale.

It was also agreed that the issuance of the upcoming JTO to SDE Promotion should be the primary duty of association so that the gates for next batches and executives can also be opened. Stopping any exercise in the name of some new thing should not be thought about at all. 

The status was discussed among three constituent Associations of the Forum i.e. AIGETOA, AIBSNLEA and SNEA for taking a common decision. After detailed deliberation of 5-6 Hrs among these associations, AIGETOA an AIBSNLEA decided to defer the program and to give a space for issuance of the long awaited  SDE Telecom Promotion and exploring the possibilities for AGM/CAO and DGM equivalent Promotions by seeking legal opinions as assured by the Director HR as well as participate in the discussion process in the framing and modifications of Recruitment Rules to represent the aspirations of the Executives fraternity and don’t allow the management walk over in deciding the all important activities of RRModifications. It has also been demanded that management should settle the absent period through admissible leave. Sister Association SNEA however decided to continue and we respect their decision. At the end success by any means will finally benefit the cadre only.

Click here for Appeal of the Management

Click here for the Letter of Deferment by the AIGETOA and AIBSNLEA

Congratulations to one and all for making the first program of Dharna on 22.12.2021 a huge success.

In many places, the participation was overwhelming, ignoring the adverse climate condition in North India, showing the anger against the management for denying the rightful Promotions and Pay scales. The message is very clear, management cannot suppress the Executives further and their demands for Time Bound Promotions, E2 and E3 pay scales for JAO/JTO and AO/SDE equivalent grades, DGM and AGM Regular Promotions in all streams cannot be delayed further. The Executives are united, determined now and the peaceful agitation launched by the Forum will continue till all our demands are met.

The Dharna program becomes a big success due to the determination and commitment of the Executives and the united efforts of Forum of BSNL Executives Associations.

Gear up for the next program of Hunger Fast from 28th-30th December and Mass Casual Leave on 03.01.2022 and Non Co-Operation.

Click here for Glimpses of the Dharna across the Country

Click here for Media Coverage of the Dharna across the Country

Dear Friends,

Make extensive preparations for the coming agitation programs in the banner of Forum of BSNL Executives Associations on the Charter of Demands by conducting joint meeting at Circle and SSA level. Conduct Desk to Desk Awareness campaign jointly. Give wide publicity through Posters, Banners etc. Accelerate the submission of Memorandum to Hon MPs and forwarding the same to Hon’ble MoC and observe the protest schedule as follows:

>> Make arrangements for the Twitter Program on 16.12.2021.

>> Mass Dharna BA, Circle and BSNL HQs on 22.12.2021

>> Relay Hunger Fast at BA, Circle, BSNL HQs from 28-30 December, 2021.

>> Mass Casual Leave on 03.01.2022.

>> Leaving Official WhatsApp and Non-cooperation from 03.01.2022 onwards.

>> Mass Indefinite Dharna at BSNLCO from 10.01.2022 onwards till settlement of the issues.

The protest demonstration under the banner of Joint Forum against the restructuring notification was organised successfully with full participation from all the Executives across the country. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the executives for lending the support to the program. We once again reaffirm our commitment to ensure promotions in a time bound manner for all the Executive and that we are prepared to go to any extent to ensure the same.

Today AIP Shri Ravi Shil Verma and GS Shri Wasi Ahmad also met PGM Pers BSNL CO and enquired about the discussion with respect to handling the promotional aspects including that of stagnation. We reminded that Honble CMD BSNL Committed for initiating the discussion with respect to the promotional avenues and stagnation after 15th November 2021. However no action has been initiated yet despite his assurance including diversion of MT Quota vacancies to DPC despite approval from BSNL Board.

PGM Pers informed that committee for amending various RRs have been constituted which will look into all the aspects. Committee for amending BSNL MSRR will also be notified within this week only.

We registered our strong resentment on keeping stagnation of 12 years for promotion to JTO to SDE despite categorical rejection by association. We once again reiterated that management should look into making the promotion time-bound in line with the earlier approved CPSU proposal. We said that erstwhile BSNL Board has approved a timeline of 15 years for reaching to the post of AGM and same should be honoured.

PGM Pers advised us to exercise patience and assured that committee will look into all the aspects hampering the promotional avenues of executives including revisiting the 12 years stagnation clause in JTO Cadre and discussion with Associations shall be initiated soon. We also requested PGM Pers for immediately notifying the diversion of MT Quota Posts to DPC Quota as approved by BSNL Board. We also said since there is moratorium on external recruitment, hence all the posts should be filled up from internal candidates through DPC Route.

PGM Pers again reiterated that committee constituted for amending the RRs will look into all the aspects and said that very soon developments will be seen. We said that in the absence of an early action, association shall be forced to resort to intense orgnasitational actions and hence immediate necessary action should be initiated to avoid industrial unrest.

Click here for notification of constitution of various committees for amending RRs

Letter for BSNL MS RR shall also be issued within this week.

Dear All,

It has been decided to lodge our immediate and strong protest on 24.11.2021 by burning the copy of order and staging Lunch Hour Demonstration against the Man Power Planning Order announced today with introduction of stagnation period of long 12 Years for SDE Promotion (beyond the sanctioned strength), introduction of Ext MT and Not Meeting of our Demand for Time Bound Promotion OR Required Number of Posts in promotional grades for promotion of all eligible Executives as demanded by the Associations.

All CHQ, Circle and District / SSA OBs are requested to make arrangements of the protest immediately by reaching out to all Associations.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL regarding deferment of AIGETOA Organizational Program on appeal of the BSNL Management.

Click here for letter

Dear All,

BSNL Management has issued one more appeal to defer the ongoing call of the AIGETOA in line with the discussion held with the Director HR on 22.07.2021. Although few major points have been left in the record of discussion issued and these have been raised to the Sr GM SR as per the discussion held on which she has assured to bring to the knowledge of Director HR BSNL. In the meantime, the restructuring meeting is also scheduled to start with AIGETOA on its submissions from 28.07.2021.

CHQ governing body in the meeting held yesterday night unanimously decided to consider the request of the Director (HR) to enable the discussion in an amicable environment and defer the ongoing agitation program with a believe that resolution of issues will happen in 2-3 months time as assured in the letter. Further, we believe that the management will cease the opportunity and consider our request to ensure sufficient number of promotional post in restructuring as submitted by AIGETOA and one promotion to all eligible executives before implementation of restructuring.

The decision to defer the appeal has been taken in view of the discussions held on 22.07.2021 wherein Director HR categorically told that management is considerate on all the issues and they shall be taking positive action on all the genuine issues related to executives. Director HR also told that management has already shown it’s positive intent by moving forward on JTO to SDE DPC despite many criticalities. He reaffirmed his commitment for taking care of left out JTOs and also promotions in other streams and grades. With respect to Restructuring issues, he said that management is considerate on the subject of promotional avenues, stagnation and number of posts and discussion on these aspects should be given a chance before moving on to extreme steps. Director HR also told that within next 2-3 months, things will be visible on ground and results of the efforts will definitely be seen. Association side also expressed that while we also believe that amicable resolution should be given a priority, but time and again, changing stand by management on issues forces us to do so. However, as per the request of management, AIGETOA can consider deferring the program but any change in the stand of management may force us to resume the action programs and that too with more vigor.

Accordingly, we have decided to defer the programs as of now. However this deferment is subject to be launched immediately in case we feel that there is deviation from the assured path. Despite the deferment, whole rank and file of AIGETOA should be ready to react immediately in case things do not settle as per discussion and satisfaction of AIGETOA especially that with respect to covering the left out Candidates for JTO to SDE DPC and ensuring sufficient number of posts in various streams and grades.

We extend our heartiest thanks to our esteemed members and supporters to make the organisational call successful by quitting WhatsApp groups to lodge their strong resentment by Ten Thousand Executives approximately. Now we request all of them to resume the previous position on account of deferment of the call and devote to improve position of BSNL despite of all challenges to bring back our beloved organisation to the path of growth.

In view of the protest call, a meeting of the association leaders with management arranged on 22th July, 2021 over zoom to discuss the pending issues and resentment lead for the organizational activities by the association. The meeting was arranged on the initiative of Sr GM SR to take stock of the issues and hold a dialogue between the association and management in the larger interest of the organisation. The meeting held under chairmanship of Director HR and it was attended by PGM Pers, Sr Estab, Sr GM SR, GM Restg, DGM SR and other officers of the BSNL Corporate Office. The association side was represented by Shri Ravi Shil Verma, Shri Wasi Ahmad, Shri Yogendra Jharwal, Shri Badri Mehta and Shri Pavan Akhand.

The meeting held in cordial atmosphere and association extended thanks to the management for releasing long pending JTO to SDE Order but apprised that a serious resentment is prevailing in the field due to lukewarm response on many other long pending issues, recent release of inconsistent speaking order and curtailment of promotional posts in the initial proposal of restructuring, which will result in serious stagnation in the career of all executives. The association raised every issue in length and its repercussion and fallout on the executives and the organisation. The meeting lasted for two hours due to discussion on all issues between the two sides.

Finally, Director (HR) assured for his personal efforts to resolve the issues one by one in a timely manner and requested the association to defer the call at least for 2-3 months and continue the ongoing dialogue process for the settlements of all outstanding issues in the larger interest of the department. The association requested Director (HR) to issue a record of discussion of the meeting to instill confidence in the infuriated executives so that association can arrive at a decision as per the assurance. The Director (HR) assures for release of the RoD.

Accordingly, the association has decided to take a call on the ongoing program after release of the record of discussion.