The contempt case filed by ACS AIGETOA BSNL CO Chapter against Shri A Robert J Ravi (CMD BSNL) and others was heard today before the Hon’ble PCAT. The following remedies have been pleaded before the Bench:

1] Take cognizance of the present Contempt Petition and initiate appropriate contempt proceedings against the alleged Contemnors (CMD BSNL and others) under Section 17 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, read with Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and the Contempt of Courts (CAT) Rules, 1992, and issue notice to the alleged Contemnors to show cause as to why they should not be proceeded against and punished for wilful and deliberate disobedience of the final order dated 22.04.2026 passed by this Hon’ble Tribunal in O.A. No. 3677/2025;

2] Hold that the continued failure and refusal of the Respondents to implement the final order dated 22.04.2026, coupled with the issuance of the Office/Modification Order dated 05.08.2026, purporting to modify the transfer order dated 02.05.2025, which had already been quashed by this Hon’ble Tribunal, constitutes wilful, deliberate and contumacious disobedience of the final order dated 22.04.2026 and an impermissible attempt to circumvent the binding directions of this Hon’ble Tribunal;

3] Direct the Respondents to forthwith implement, in its true letter and spirit, the final order dated 22.04.2026, including by duly considering and giving effect to the Petitioner’s joining report dated 27.04.2026, permitting the Petitioner to join/resume service in accordance with the said order, and extending to him all consequential service and monetary benefits flowing therefrom, in accordance with law;

4] Impose exemplary costs upon the Respondents/alleged Contemnors for their blatant and deliberate disregard of the binding order of this Hon’ble Tribunal and for attempting to circumvent and defeat the effect of the final order dated 22.04.2026 through the subsequent Office/Modification Order dated 05.08.2026, and pass such further order(s) as this Hon’ble Tribunal may deem fit and proper in the interests of justice.

The Bench has issued notice to all the alleged Contemnors. The next date of hearing has been fixed for 16th October 2026.

The Standard Pay Scale case was listed today at Sr. No. 76. However, due to paucity of time, the Hon’ble Court Chandigarh could hear matters only up to Sr. No. 71, and therefore the matter could not be taken up.

The case has been adjourned and is now listed for 21st September 2026.

Further updates will be shared as and when the matter is taken up.

The case seeking replacement of the SG JAG scale from E6 to E7 for officers recruited, absorbed, or promoted in Group ‘B’ services, i.e., those joining the executive cadre as JTO/JAO/Equivalent, was listed before the Hon’ble CAT on 30th July 2026.

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Surprisingly, SNEA opposed the impleadment application filed by AIGETOA, for reasons best known to them.

Ordinarily, an impleadment application is opposed by the respondents (BSNL/DoT in this case), while applicants generally welcome the addition of parties having the same cause, as it strengthens the case. SNEA’s decision to oppose AIGETOA’s intervention is, therefore, both surprising and unfortunate.

The Truth Behind the “Delay” Allegation

On its website, SNEA has claimed that it opposed AIGETOA’s Miscellaneous Application (MA) because AIGETOA was allegedly attempting to delay the hearing of the case, which was filed by SNEA in 2022.

This claim does not stand the test of facts.

Despite the case being more than four years old, not even a single effective hearing has taken place. We are sharing snapshots of the court proceedings and hearing history below.

A review of the case history clearly shows that:

• No substantive hearing has taken place.
• No pleadings have been argued.
• The matter has witnessed only repeated adjournments.

The court orders are self-explanatory.

Even more revealing is the fact that, on average, only about two hearings per year took place until April 2026. However, after AIGETOA filed its impleadment application, three hearings have taken place within just three months.

If SNEA was genuinely concerned about avoiding delay, one obvious question arises:

1] Why did SNEA never file an Early Hearing Application before the Hon’ble Bench?

2] Why were no efforts made over the last four years to seek shorter dates or expedite the matter?

The facts speak for themselves.

A Bigger Question That SNEA Must Answer

During the recent membership change window, SNEA alleged that AIGETOA was trying to derail the Standard Pay Scale issue by linking it with the replacement of the SG JAG scale from E6 to E7.

We would like GS SNEA to answer one simple and straightforward question.

What will happen to the Fifth TBP of JTOs/JAOs once the entry-level scale is upgraded from E1A/E1 to E2?

Let us consider a simple example.

If a JTO/JAO is recruited or promoted in E1A/E1, and the entry-level scale is upgraded to E2, then, without replacing the SG JAG scale with E7, only four TBP upgradations will remain available:

E2 → E3 → E4 → E5 → E6

However, if the SG JAG scale is replaced from E6 to E7, the original five TBP upgradations remain intact:

E2 → E3 → E4 → E5 → E6 → E7

This is precisely why replacement of the SG JAG scale is essential.

Setting the Record Straight on the “Cascading” Myth

SNEA has also attempted to create the misconception that:

• AIGETOA is demanding “cascading” by seeking replacement of the SG JAG scale from E6 to E7; and
• Executives already in higher scales would receive a sixth TBP.

Both claims are factually incorrect.

Every executive in BSNL knows that a promotion or financial upgradation requires pay fixation with at least one increment.

Merely replacing E6 with E7 does not result in:

• an additional promotion,
• an additional TBP, or
• even a single rupee increase in actual salary.

It merely changes the pay scale designation while preserving the existing pay.

For executives already in E6, the structure would simply become:

Existing: E1A → E2A → E3 → E4 → E5 → E6

After Replacement: E1A → E2A → E3 → E4 → E5 → E7

Since their existing basic pay would already be above the minimum of E7, there would be absolutely no increase in actual basic pay.

Therefore, calling this a “sixth TBP” reflects either a complete misunderstanding of the pay structure or a deliberate attempt to mislead executives.

This Is Not Cascading

“Cascading” means the replacement of all pay scales across the hierarchy.

That is not what AIGETOA has proposed.

AIGETOA’s proposal is limited to:

• Replacement of the initial entry-level scales as part of the Standard Pay Scale correction.
• Replacement of the SG JAG scale from E6 to E7 so that the existing five TBP structure remains intact.

Executives in the intermediate grades continue in their existing scales.

There is no across-the-board replacement of all grades and no increase in actual basic pay.

Therefore, branding this proposal as “cascading” is factually incorrect.

Why This Court Case Is So Important

If the SG JAG scale is not replaced with E7 after implementation of the Standard Pay Scale, executives recruited or promoted as JTOs/JAOs after 01.01.2007 will suffer serious long-term consequences.

They will:

• Lose one financial upgradation, with only four TBPs available up to E6.
• Face prolonged stagnation in the E6 grade for nearly five to six years in future.

Therefore, replacement of the SG JAG scale from E6 to E7 is not merely desirable. It is essential to:

• Preserve the existing five TBP structure.
• Prevent future stagnation.
• Protect the career progression of thousands of executives.

Why AIGETOA Intervened

This important court case remained virtually unattended for nearly four years.

Despite repeated expectations that SNEA would actively pursue the matter, there was little visible progress.

Only after waiting for almost four years and observing that the case was not being pursued with the urgency it deserved did AIGETOA decide to file an impleadment application so that the matter could be pursued more effectively.

The subsequent increase in the frequency of hearings speaks for itself.

Final Say by AIGETOA :

The malicious propaganda being spread by SNEA and its GS appears to be nothing more than an attempt to divert attention from their own failure to pursue this critical case effectively.

We request every executive to examine the facts independently.

The official case details are available at the following links:

• https://cis.cgat.gov.in/catlive/Misdetailreport123.php?no=MTEwNzIwMDM5MTYyMDIyL2RlbGhp

• https://cis.cgat.gov.in/catlive/additional_mis.php?diary_no=MTEwNzIwMDM5MTYyMDIyL2RlbGhpL1A=

We have also attached screenshots of the court orders, which clearly narrate the true history of the case and its pursuance.

The SET case came up for hearing today before the Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Chandigarh. The Respondents have submitted their reply in the matter. The Hon’ble Tribunal has adjourned the case to 14.09.2026.

It is further clarified that the interim stay order restraining appointments in the SET cadre will remain in force till the next date of hearing.

The AGM to DGM promotion matter was listed today before the Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh.

During today’s hearing, arguments from both sides on the Miscellaneous Application (MA) filed by BSNL seeking vacation of the stay were completed. After hearing the submissions, the Hon’ble Tribunal adjourned the matter to 3rd August 2026.

We are hopeful that the Hon’ble Tribunal will pronounce its decision on the stay vacation application on the next date of hearing, which will pave the way for further progress in the AGM to DGM promotion process.

AIGETOA is closely monitoring the case and will keep all members informed of further developments.

Contrary to the narrative created by Management that SET is being done under pressure from higher offices, it has come to our notice that there is no such pressure from higher offices. Some corners present in the HR group has presented the wrong facts in order to convince Hon’ble MoSC for continuance of the process. However, our submissions have been taken into cognizance by the Hon’ble Minister, and he has directed BSNL to defer the exam. One of the senior officer present in HR group has been trying his level best to ensure that SET exam is completed, may be due to the huge money involved in the process. At the same time Team, AIGETOA is also determined to stop the process and is in the process to apprise Hon’ble MoSC about the actual facts on record in next week.

In the meanwhile, to stop the process, AIGETOA filed miscellaneous application (MA) through its members which was heard today before the vacation bench at Chandigarh. Hon’ble CAT bench has directed BSNL to not to move ahead with the appointment in the SET cadre till the promotion process of applicants are completed. However, Hon’ble Court did not granted Stay on the examination process. The next date of the hearing is 13th July. In the meanwhile, our legal team is making full efforts to stop the examination also which will be informed in due course of time. Today’s development has given us a major breakthrough and will give greater impetus to our efforts for scrapping the whole SET Recruitment Process.

Today, on 2nd June 2026, the final arguments in the seniority case concerning LDCE-2012 executives who were pushed to List 12 and List 13 were heard before the Hon’ble CAT, Madras Bench. The Senior Counsel representing the AIGETOA team presented the case effectively and comprehensively. The hearing continued for more than one hour, during which all relevant aspects of the matter were argued in detail.

After hearing the submissions, the Hon’ble Court directed the parties to submit a short written note within one week. The matter has now been reserved for judgment.

We sincerely hope that justice will finally prevail and that the legitimate rights of the affected LDCE-2012 executives will be restored.

The LICE Pay Loss case was listed for hearing today (12.03.2026) before the Hon’ble CAT, Ernakulam.

The BSNL advocate was not present before the Hon’ble Tribunal. Through his junior advocate, a request was made seeking adjournment of the case.

From the Association side, AIGETOA Kerala ACS Shri Anoop Das and AIGETOA Kerala Ernakulam DEC Member Shri Jerry Paul were present in the court during the proceedings.

Considering the request made on behalf of BSNL, the Hon’ble Tribunal has adjourned the matter. The next hearing is scheduled for 15 June 2026.

The JTO to SDE promotion case listed today before the Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh could not be heard in detail.

The hearing remained inconclusive due to an adjournment sought by the private respondents (One Core member from Majority Association). Additionally, a few new affected parties filed applications for impleadment in the matter which was not considered today. This group also happen to be consisting of the core members from MA. Accordingly, the Hon’ble Tribunal has adjourned the case to 22.04.2026 for the next hearing.

At this point, when the case has almost reached towards conclusive arguments, we fail to understand the reasons behind this sudden decision of impleadment of more people which will only delay the case. While Team AIGETOA is striving for an early “disposal of the case on merit” so that the promotions can be held at the earliest, the reasons for delaying the case by a particular group is definitely questionable. If they were to implead, they could have done it earlier.

As of now so many vacancies are available and more to become available in a short period, any attempt to delay the process will only hamper the process of promotions for JTOs to SDE Grade (Both from SCF as well as LDCE Quota). We want to make it amply clear that AIGETOA is striving for early disposal of the case based on merits. Whatever way, the decision must come so that the stalemate in JTO to SDE Promotions can be done away with and the available vacancies can be filled up immediately.

Our Team will continue to pursue for an early disposal and end of the stalemate in JTO to SDE Promotions in Telecom Stream in the best interest of the candidates waiting for their long awaited promotions.

In continuation of the follow-up actions and the earlier meeting with PGM (Legal), Team AIGETOA met with PGM (Personnel) to discuss the way forward in the matter of AO to CAO promotions.

During the discussion, PGM (Pers) informed that the Personnel Section has received the necessary clearance from the Legal Section. Accordingly, the Finance Wing has been requested to provide the updated seniority list. On receipt of the same, the DPC process will be initiated, and the promotions are expected to be processed shortly.

With regard to SDE to AGM and other pending promotion matters, a separate meeting is scheduled to be held next week to deliberate and take the issue forward.