GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL, requesting the implementation of reservation in promotions for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs) in the cadres of SDE to AGM and the issuance of promotion orders for all the eligible candidates.

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Despite previous reminders and references to relevant orders and guidelines, BSNL has not initiated the promotion process for eligible PwBDs. AIGETOA again highlighted that there are 85 eligible PwBD executives in the cadre of SDE who have been awaiting promotion since 2013.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates reservation in promotions for PwBDs, and the BSNL MSRR, which outline the eligibility criteria for promotion to the AGM cadre. Also in a recent Hon’ble Supreme Court order in a contempt petition, where the Court directed the respondents to consider giving notional promotions to eligible candidates from an earlier date.

Additionally, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued guidelines for providing reservation in promotions to PwBD employees, including the creation of supernumerary posts. The Hon’ble PCAT has also directed BSNL to implement reservation in promotions for PwBDs and promote eligible SDEs to AGMs within a specified timeframe.

The Association has expressed concern over BSNL’s delay in implementing these directions, stating that it will only lead to more legal complexities. AIGETOA requested the CMD to intervene and ensure that reservation in promotions for PwBDs is implemented as per the DoPT guidelines, promoting all 85 eligible PwBDs from SDE to AGM.

We highlighted a recent order by the Department of Posts, which clarifies the procedure for computing the number of vacancies reserved for PwBDs. The Association has urged BSNL to consider all eligible PwBD employees for promotion on a notional basis, as per the DoPT OM dated 28th December 2023.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL regarding the case of felling of 400+ trees in BSNL Exchange Campuses including Teak wood & Sandal wood. Victimization of the District Secretary of Dharmapuri OA, Tamilnadu Circle for Exposing Conspiracy and Revenue Loss.

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AIGETOA has brought to light a significant issue pertaining to a revenue loss of approximately 25 lakhs for BSNL due to the illegal felling of over 400 trees, including valuable teak and sandalwood, within BSNL exchange campuses in the Dharmapuri OA region of Tamil Nadu Circle.

The District Secretary of AIGETOA, Dharmapuri OA, courageously exposed this incident and brought it to the attention of the higher authorities. However, instead of appreciating his efforts, the BA Administration has initiated departmental proceedings against him, in an apparent attempt to suppress the voice of the Association.

Representations and requests for a thorough inquiry were made by the Circle Secretary of AIGETOA Tamil Nadu to CGM on April 26 and May 15, 2024, unfortunately, the grave issue of revenue loss and potential corruption has not been addressed, and instead, a whistleblower is being targeted.

AIGETOA has requested urgent intervention in the matter and emphasizes the need for a fair and transparent administration within BSNL and seeks prompt action to safeguard the interests of BSNL and its employees. The letter also highlights the importance of ensuring a level playing field for the recognized association to foster a corruption-free environment.

AIGETOA stands firm in its commitment to uphold transparency and integrity within BSNL and seeks justice for its members who courageously expose corruption and revenue loss. The association urges the BSNL administration to address this matter with the seriousness it deserves and take stringent action against any corrupt officials involved.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL regarding prevailing demotivation and resentment over non-consideration of meritorious candidates in LDCE-2012 for Promotions to AGM(T) cadre and request prompt resolution.

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AIGETOA highlighted the prevailing demotivation and resentment amongst these SDEs because of the continuous delay in addressing the legitimate rights of the LDCE qualified executives. Despite multiple discussions, reassurances and commitments, tangible output to resolve this pressing issue could not be found out, leading to unavoidable frustration and demoralization among the affected individuals.

We have proposed the following solutions to promote these executives to the AGM(T) cadre:

Promotions of DGMs to create vacancies : Promotions of DGMs to create approximately 1116 vacancies and utilizing the consequential vacancies for promotions from SDE to AGMs. It will be pertinent to mention that court has permitted executing ad-hoc promotions but still BSNL has preferred not to promote the eligible AGMs to DGM grade for the reasons best known to them.

Creating additional Vacancies : Creating 1000-1500 additional vacancies for prestigious government projects like 4G saturation, Bharatnet, strengthening the Enterprise business, Marketing, Sales activities of BSNL. It will be pertinent to mention that the current sanctioned strength of BSNL provides ample scope to management for creating additional vacancies on the promotional posts within the overall sanctioned strength of organization.

Diversion of SET Quota : Diverting the SET quota envisaged in MSRR-2023 to the DPC quota, resulting in approximately 300 additional vacancies.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL regarding review of the structure of Upgradation Training and Exam.

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AIGETOA highlighted issues faced by BSNL executives regarding the Upgradation Training and Exam process. As per the Executive Promotion Policy (EPP), BSNL executives are required to pass an online examination within two years of receiving a pay scale upgrade. However, a large number of executives are currently awaiting their turn to appear for the exam due to limited seats and training slots at ALTTC and other training centers. The time slots fill up quickly, causing delays and frustration for many executives.

To address this concern, AIGETOA proposed the following suggestions:

Revert to a single-day exam without mandatory classroom training: Previously, executives took the exam without classroom training, expediting the process. Online training can be offered as an option, accommodating more executives.

Make classroom training optional: With course content available online, executives can study independently and appear for a single-day exam, reducing the backlog within 2 months and saving BSNL lakhs of rupees in TA/DA expenses.

Address hostel accommodation issues: Recently, hostel allotment refusals by NITPRIT authorities have caused accommodation problems for executives. A single-day exam pattern can mitigate this challenge to a large extent.

Accommodate administrative delays: In some cases, upgradation orders are issued 8-12 months late, leaving executives with less time to clear the exam. A single-day exam pattern allows them to appear for the exam sooner.

Revamp the training vertical: BSNL’s training centers can be reorganized to offer market-oriented courses to the general public, generating revenue and making it a profitable initiative.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar Ji regarding need for increasing the limit for reimbursement of cost of Mobile handsets further to enable all executives to buy atleast optimum configuration handsets supporting Band-28 i.e. in the 700 MHz band which is being used majorly by BSNL for its Swadeshi 4G network.

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The proposed cost is insufficient for handsets compatible with BSNL’s 4G services, which will primarily utilize the 700 MHz spectrum band. The available handsets with this configuration are priced higher than the current reimbursement amounts.

AIGETOA highlighted the following intrinsic benefits of having a revised handset policy with Band-28 support handsets:

1] As part of the government supported projects BSNL is launching the 4G services in Band-28 in rural, far flung and difficult areas in the country. It will be timely and prudent that BSNL executives are equipped with proper mobile handset which will help them not only to complete their day to day office work but also enable them to assist customers, measure QoS, coverage.

2] BSNL having 4G rollout in Band 28 will be a long term advantage as the band is having excellent penetration and coverage. At this stage appropriate feedback will be required for improvements in the indigenous 4G stack.

3] The executives associated with Mobile related work will also require a day to interface with vendors and service providers and various government agencies also. Therefore, providing handset equipped with 700 MHz band support will be good investment which will be fruitful for the executives as well as the company.

4] By increasing the reimbursement limit at least by Rs 8000 at each level of existing policy rates should be accepted for immediate implementation. By this way BSNL management can make it mandatory for all executives to purchase the handsets supporting B28 operations.

5] The clause 4 of the letter dated 07.05.2024 seems to be discriminatory. It mentions that the officers on look after basis or local officiating basis shall be allowed reimbursement of the cost of Mobile Handset at their substantive post. There are many officers who been promoted and working on LA basis for the last 4 to 5 years and have been vested with all administrative and financial powers of the post. They are eligible to get promoted on regular basis but still not being promoted for the reasons best known to department. Surprisingly, these officers are giving their best even on LA basis but being deprived of the reimbursement benefits on the post at LA basis is gross injustice. We feel that the officers on LA basis should also be entitled/allowed to reimburse the cost of Mobile handsets at par with officers working on regular/adhoc basis.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL regarding urgent action required to address undue delay in promotion and uncaring attitude towards Employee Welfare.

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GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL Sh P K Purwar Ji regarding implementation of reservation in promotion for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs) in all cadres.

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GS AIGETOA writes to Director (HR), BSNL Board with a request to settle the grievances and concerns raised by LICE candidates regarding Question Paper and to expediting the process for declaration of results and promotions thereof.

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Concerns and Proposed Remedies:

Improperly framed questions and incorrect answers:

Proposed Remedy:

Discard wrong questions and reduce the total score, or award marks to all candidates, regardless of whether they attempted the question or not, due to negative marking.

Alternative Remedy:

For questions with multiple probable answers, marks should be given to all candidates.

Immediate display of the answer key and attempted question paper:

The answer key and attempted question paper should be made accessible to candidates through their login portals, as mentioned in the process.

No objection fee for answer/question corrections:

As an internal departmental examination, there should be no fee charged for correcting answers or questions. Associations representing (both majority and support) should be permitted to raise objections on their behalf.

Expedited process with maximum available vacancies:

The request to expedite the promotion process, maximizing available vacancies, and enhancing the LICE quota as a one-time measure.

Timely display of results and promotion orders:

The process of displaying results, addressing objections, and issuing revised answer keys should be completed by April 30, 2024, to facilitate the prompt issuance of promotion orders.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar Ji raising the concern about the demotivation and unrest among BSNL executives due to a lack of career progression opportunities. GS highlighted the need for promoting all eligible SDEs, Account Officers who have completed their residency period through the DPC route, as assured by the Hon’ble MoC and management during various meetings.

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AIGETOA highlighted the gross injustice faced by BSNL executives regarding promotional avenues. Despite suggestions and appreciation from the Hon’ble MoC and management, the resolution of promotional issues has not been prioritized, even though it bears no financial implication for BSNL.

AIGETOA emphasizes the need for justice for executives who cleared the LDCE in 2012 and have been working in the SDE grade for over 10 years, with their seniority pushed down through no fault of their own. AIGETOA suggests that promoting all eligible SDEs to the AGM grade can resolve this issue. Additionally, the association proposes the implementation of an upper cap on the residency period for promotions across various streams, including Telecom, Finance, CSS, Civil, Electrical, and Architecture, through personal upgradation of incumbent posts.

Criticizing the current HR policy, AIGETOA argues that executives should not be forced to appear in LICEs at every level, unlike ideal PSUs that offer time-bound promotions to entry-level executives. They attribute the majority of court cases to the introduction of competitive exams in BSNL, leading to disillusionment and frustration among executives.

The letter also highlights the ongoing legal challenges to the recruitment of MT (Management Trainees). AIGETOA demands the management to scrap the arbitrary MT Recruitment Process and divert the seats to the DPC Quota.

Association urges the BSNL management to ensure a minimum career progression up to the AGM level through personal upgradation and the creation of promotional posts without increasing the total sanctioned strength. We also request the utilization of vacant posts in the Telecom, Accounts, and Finance cadres for DPC promotions and the diversion of SETs and DR DGM posts for DPCs to create additional opportunities.

The association hope that the BSNL management will recognize the demotivation among executives and direct the HR unit to complete the promotions of all eligible executives through the seniority cum fitness mode, providing expeditious relief.

GS AIGETOA writes to Director (Finance) Shri Rajiv Kumar with request for the creation of an online facility in the Employee Self Service (ESS) portal for employees to choose their preferred “Tax Regime Option” for the financial year 2024-25.

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Every year, BSNL employees are required to manually submit tax declaration forms, which is a time-consuming and inefficient process. In letter dated April 5, 2024, the BSNL management instructed employees to furnish their declarations using Form 12BB to the concerned DDOS/AO(Pay/HCM/Cash) by April 20, 2024.

To streamline this process, the association urge the Director (Finance) to incorporate a feature in the ESS module of the ERP portal, which would allow employees to select their preferred tax regime (Old or New under section 115BAC) and save their particulars electronically.

The introduction of an online facility offers several advantages, including eliminating the need for manual submission, reducing errors, streamlining data management, and enhancing efficiency in tax administration.

AIGETOA believes that implementing this proposal will not only alleviate the burden on employees and administrative staff but also contribute to overall operational efficiency within BSNL.