AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL for Immediate roll back of decision on sale of outdated 2G Featured Phone in a 5G Era offered by M/S Innocom and many more such decisions commercially not viable for BSNL.
AIGETOA writes to the CMD BSNL demanding investigation by External Agency, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), about the alleged irregularities in the BSNL IDC, Mumbai causing severe financial loss to BSNL Exchequer. It is suspected that the irregularities mat not be restricted to only IDC Mumbai but spread across all three IDCs of BSNL. It is important to note that M/S NxtGen is maintaining all three IDCs of BSNL at Mumbai, Ahmadabad and Faridabad and alleged that the company directly hosted the customers on the IDC without informing BSNL causing breach of signed agreement and it is believe that BSNL may have been subjected to the financial loss in the tune of Crore of rupees on account of this. So, AIGETOA demands CMD BSNL for urgent attention and suitable direction on the followings:
Investigation by External Agency: In the prima-facie and information, there is a strong indication of irregularities being widespread across all the BSNL IDCs located at Mumbai, Ahmadabad and Faridabad, which may have caused financial loss to BSNL in the tune of Crores of Rupees. Considering the gravity of matter related with the huge financial loss and involvement of multiple locations and external company M/S NXTGEN maintaining the IDCs, the matter needs to be investigated by Central Government Agency to ensure appropriate action. Accordingly, the association demands immediate handing over the matter to CVC for detailed and fair investigation of irregularities, conspiracies, involvement of BSNL officials (if any) and precise estimation of financial loss subjected to BSNL in IDC case of all the three locations.
Holding of all payments to the IDC Partner: As the loss subjected to BSNL has not been precisely calculated, BSNL should immediately freeze all the due payments of M/S NXTGEN (available with BSNL of its 80% revenue share, retention money etc) as it will be difficult to recover the loss once the contract period with M/S NxtGen is over (which is August-2022) or the matter becomes to sub-judicial after expiry of the term.
Auditing by External Agency of Repute: It has come to our information that after the irregularities at IDC Mumbai was exposed, an internal audit committee was constituted by the Maharashtra Circle, which is not in line with the agreement. As per EoI / MoU (Section-8 of Bid Document), BSNL should “immediately appoint External Independent Monitor to review independently and objectively, whether and to what extent the parties comply with the obligations under the agreement”. It may be ensured that the Monitors thus appointed are Auditors / Investigators of good repute, with experience in handling such matters. Accordingly, the association demands immediate appointment of External Monitor, who is of good repute and with expertise in handling such matters, for detailed and thorough auditing to the extent of the irregularities and precise estimation of the financial loss subjected to BSNL, considering all aspects and inclusion of all three BSNL IDCs in its ambit.
Operation and Maintenance IDC Centers by BSNL: The association is of the opinion that BSNL officers should take over the charge of all three IDC Centers and control of the activities in the BSNL IDCs, till the completion of the investigation process and conclusion of the matter. M/S NXTGEN officials can be kept in the supporting role, under strict supervision of BSNL officers, to check any further damage to the BSNL interest as well as smooth transition of the operation and maintenance of the BSNL IDCs to its own expertise.
AIGETOA governing body has accepted the invitation of the Convenor, AUAB to join the meeting scheduled to be held on 21.06.2021 in the larger interest of employees and the organisation. As the agenda of the AUAB doesn’t include Superannuation Benefit Fund(SAB) and approval of Pay Scale E2 for JAO/JTO and E3 for SDe/AO, the AIGETOA has written to the Convenor, Chairman and all constituents of the AUAB to include these two demands in the charter of the AUAB for any future struggle. The association will be represented and participate in the today’s online meeting at 05:00 PM.
AIGETOA has reached out to Shri N. D. Ram, General Secretary, SEWA BSNL Central Headquarter New Delhi and appealed him to extend active support to the call given by the AIGETOA for the settlement of the outstanding legitimate rights of executives and sustainability of the organisation.
GS AIGETOA submitted the memorandum to Hon’ble Minister of Communication Shri Ravishankar Prasad Ji for compassionate appointment of the widows/dependent of the Covid-19 related deceased employees within the mandate of Section-12 of Disaster Management Act, 2005.
AIGETOA serves notice for organisational seeking attention of the management as well as Government of for fixing up of the responsibility towards failure to revive BSNL, Pay Salaries and medical benefits in time and the complete failure to resolve the long pending HR issues either.
In the recent agenda meeting held on 11th June 2021 under the chairmanship of Director (HR) wherein certain specific assurances were given with respect to settlement of issues and it was categorically assured that a committee will be formed immediately after the meeting, a new proposal for replacement of E1A-E2A pay scales by E2 and E3 Pay Scales shall be sent on 14th June Itself, the committee for FTTH service connection will submit its report immediately, the meeting for restructuring shall be convened within one week with Majority Association etc. It was also informed that management will finalise a fixed date for salary disbursement in line with other statutory payments. However, till today, no appreciable action has taken place despite categorical assurances on many issues. Further, with regard to seniority list issue, the legal opinion which was read out in the meeting clearly stated that Quota should be incorporated while drawing the seniority list but it is understood that management is trying to obtain modified legal opinion just to oppose the genuine vacancy year based seniority concept which was installed in BSNL after so much discussions and legal scrutiny and with the same hierarchy except one person being changed and management is trying to go back from its own decision out of some frivolous reasons.
On the promotion front, no appreciable efforts are being seen from management except for buck passing on the legal complexities. In the meeting held on 9th December CMD BSNL directed Personnel section to process the JTO to SDE (DPC) and it was explained by HR team that reservation issue will not be a show stopper on JTO to SDE promotions and now management is reluctant on publishing the notice for even LDCE exams also. It was informed to us in the recent agenda meeting that Jabalpur CAT judgement is expected shortly and that even if it doesn’t come, management will move ahead now as more than six month has lapsed and we don’t consider the JABALPUR CAT JUDGEMENT as show stopper any more. Now as reported in the website of some other association, they are linking up the matter with reservation issue. Hence there is no point in hoping for any positive outcome now from management.
Similarly, the SDE to DE promotions and AO to CAO promotions have been put on rest in BSNL citing reservation issue. Despite our request to not to tag the matter with SLP pending at Hon’ble Supreme Court and instead try for an in house settlement with mutual consensus amongst all the contending groups, management chose the easy way of filing an SLP which is making this situation more complex. Now management is citing the same SLP as the show stopper in issuing both the promotions. It will be pertinent to mention that executives in grade of SDE ( List -8) and in the grade of AO are stagnating for almost 10 to 17 years now.
Still after agenda meeting dated 11.06.2021, AIGETOA preferred to wait till one week to gauge the seriousness of management on its commitments, but its regretful that subsequent developments and continued inaction along with messages by management to other groups gives a clear indication that management is not sincere in honouring its own commitments made to the recognised representatives association on record.
Added to all the above issues, management has failed completely to revive BSNL despite extending of a 64000 crore revival package by Government of India in October 2019. It’s a complete failure of BSNL management that despite such a big revival package and the exodus of around 80,000 employees of BSNL through VRS which reduced the salary burden to almost 60%, today situation of the company is at a position that even the salary and medical facilities are not being extended to the employees during this extreme Pandemic Situation also. No doubt, lack of 4G service is major constraint but it cannot be the only reason for BSNL failure to revive itself as the opportunities extended by Government of India in Fixed Line Services by making BSNL a priority choice could not be capitalised at all. The revenues are not improving, the backbone network and infrastructure like OFC routes, battery, Power plants are at pathetic conditions, no improvement in mobile coverage, failure of Cluster based outsourcing of CFA and CM works are clear examples of failure of decision making authority in BSNL and the executives are being asked to maintain the services by paying from their own pockets.
The continued failure in addressing the issues be it HR, be it maintenance/development issues, be it extending timely salary or extending timely medical benefits to the employees. The subsequent non-visibility of any appreciable effort on any front ( be it HR, be it EB, Be it CM or Be it CFA) to revive the company gives a clear indication that running the company has now become just a formality. As a majority recognised association of BSNL, we cannot remain mute to such things and accordingly we have decided to move ahead with organisational action programs to seek the attention of management as well as government in addressing the major cause of concerns for BSNL and its employees.
While we have noticed long writeups on the website of one association, instead of countering their writeup, we prefer to reply with action rather than words. Instead of the words and proving who is right, who is wrong, we request that association as well as all other association to come together and fight unitedly to Save BSNL and its employees. For all others, who may be having some apprehension in their minds that why notice has been served at this point of time, we would like to inform one and all that we were waiting for the agenda meeting and after that one week time was given to gauge the seriousness of the commitments. It is very much clear now that despite categorical assurances in the meeting, management could not come up with any resolution which was committed in the first week and instead is acting contrary to the interests of the executives specially BSNL Recruits. Hence, all hopes for amicable resolution is closed now and we are left with no option but to act on organisational programs to settle our long pending HR issues. Accordingly, we request one and all to come together by shredding the association boundaries and fight for the survival of our beloved company as well as its employees.
Its either now or never. We have shown in Past our might. Its time to resurrect that Mighty Past for shaping up a glorious future ahead not only for employees but also for our beloved company BSNL.
Just Remember – Together We Can and Together Only We Can.
Requesting all to support the call given by the employees for the employees.
GS AIGETOA writes to the Director HR for inclusion of the names of such SDEs in the published seniority list-9 for VY 2006-07, who were already promoted in 67% Seniority Quota on 30.03.2011 and improved their seniority by qualifying and getting promoted in 33% Completive Quota for VY 2006-07 through LDCE held on 04.03.2012.
AIGETOA writes Sr GM(Admin) for immediate submission of the report by the committee constituted on 28.12.2020 for deciding the modalities for concessional FTTH connection to the below JAG, as discussed in the AIGETOA second agenda meeting on 11th June, 2021.
The association expressed its serious resentment for the delay and argued strongly for early extending of concessional FTTH connections for below JAG level executives and demanded for submission of the report by the committee without further delay. It was also highlighted by the association that during recent pandemic, the executives had to face serious challenges in carrying out WFH responsibilities. In the reply, it was assured that the committee also agrees with the views expressed by the association for need of concessional FTTH connection and it will be submitting its report very soon.
AIGETOA writes the Director HR to immediately issue of the reminder letter for the standard scale of E2 for JTO/JAO and E3 for SDE/AO as per the decision of the agenda meeting and start follow up with the authorities of the Dept of Telecom for early release of the order. The association also written for immediate constitution of the committees on pay loss issues as discussed and decided in the meeting.
AIGETOA apprised management about serious resentment among employees due to regular delay in the disbursement of salary and demanded immediate payment of the salary for the month of May, 2021.
The association cited the Hon’ble High Court hearing, where the court has said that Salary is a fundamental right under Article-21 and non availability of fund cannot and shall not be accepted as excuse for untimely payment of the Salary. The association also cautioned the management for proper redresser else it may seek other recourse to resolve the issue.