A meeting of the leaders of All Unions and Associations has been called by the BSNL Management on 6th October at 16:00 Hours. The meeting will be held with BSNL Board of Directors and CMD BSNL to discuss the issue raised in the circular dated 27.09.2021.
In view of the scheduled meeting of All Unions and Associations on the invitation of BSNL management, the proposed Twitter Campaign on 6thOctober 2021 has been postponed, as decided by the forum.
A meeting of AIGETOA, SNEA and BSNLEU held with the Members of the Committee formed to look into the drawbacks of Cluster based outsourcing System. The meeting was held through online mode which was attended by the CGMT Kerala and CGMT Karanataka along with other members of the Committee. AIGETOA was represented by Shri Wasi Ahmad GS, Shri Ravi Shil Verma AIP and Shri Ansal Mohammad Adv CHQ.
AIGETOA and other Associations/Unions have kept on raising the serious bottlenecks of Cluster based outsourcing with the management and thereafter the committee was constituted to look into its various aspects for improvement.
It’s a fact that massive disconnections of copper based LL/BB are continuing despite of huge expenditure in the cluster system by BSNL. Tender for Cluster has several shortcomings including the limitation of penalty clause of 15%, no provisions to ensure sufficient manpower in a cluster/outdoor area and supply of proper store for maintenance etc resulting into severe dissatisfaction among customers and resulting in surrendering of the services. It was also apprised that the net expenditure has increased but quality of service is not meeting the minimum expectation of the customers. Even the top 50 performing BAs list released by the Corporate Office are not matching the standard parameters of SLA i.e. MTTR (4-12 Hrs) and Clearance of 95% Fault within 24 Hrs. This situation is prevailing as Cluster Partner is not providing the required support to maintain the services and our filed officers (JTO/SDE/DET) are struggling hard and facing the ire of various Civil Authorities in absence of optimum service.
AIGETOA presented detail report about the deficiency of the cluster system, challenges in the copper based network and suggestions for improvement to the Committee Members. In fact we have also suggested giving a re-look on the continuity of the Cluster System and investing money in current form and instead we should think to go back to conventional system for at least certain places owing to the fact that the copper based services have its own challenges in present time. SNEA and BSNLEU also gave their presentation on the topic.
AIGETOA team Comprising of Shri D K Sahoo (AGS-I CHQ), Shri Ashok Acharya (JS East), Shri P K Mohanty (CP Odisha) and Shri Dhiren Parida (Circle Secretary Odisha) met CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar at Bhubaneswar on 18th Setp 2021 & welcomed him to Temple City Bhubaneswar with a flower bouquets and honored him a specialized shawl of Odisha. AIGETOA Team submitted a memorandum containing BSNL revival issue & important HR issues of executives and some Odisha circle specific issues. In spite his busy schedule he discussed some of the important issues.
Promotion to all eligible executives before finalization of restructuring
Detail discussion held with CMD BSNL on the promotion issue. Where CMD BSNL informed about management’s action plan on promotion issue. We informed him that, as BSNL is going for a major structural change, it is utmost necessary to promote all the eligible executives to next grade as one time measure, which will resolve the stagnation issue of executives and definitely motivate employees for better performance. CMD agreed to discuss with his HR team on the issue.
Left out DPC to be done for JTO to SDE
CMD informed that, HR team already working on it. He assured to complete DPC process of remaining executives at the earliest. Reminder letter should be issued to DOT for the E2 for JTO/JAO and E3 for SDE/AO cadre. He informed that, reminder Letter to DOT for the E2 for JTO/JAO and E3 for SDE/AO cadre will be issued soon.
Payment of pending SAB contribution and enhance the quantum from 5%.
We expressed our deep concern over BSNL management’s complete ignorance on pension benefit issue of BSNL recruited employees by the name of financial condition of BSNL. We intimated him that, more than 75% of existing employees failing on this category and this is only hope for their future security and requested CMD to increase contribution. We also requested him to release pending SAB contribution immediately.
CMD BSNL agreed to release outstanding SAB contribution. Regarding enhancement of SAB contribution he informed that, same will be considered only after improvement in BSNL financial condition.
Immediate Launching 4G services and persuasion at the ministry level
CMD BSNL informed that, BSNL management continuously trying at the highest level for the launch of 4G services in BSNL which is invariable delayed due to Govt policy to use indigenous technology for 4G equipments also informed that matter related to up gradation existing N/W to 4G, already communicated to Hon’ble minister for necessary intervention and issuance of instruction for approval of proposal submitted by BSNL Management committee for upgrdation to 4G.
On the Odisha Circle specific issue
Providing CPAN equipment to cater to the demand of high bandwidth. Strengthening the transmission media to provide quality service.
4F and OLT/ONT for FTTH service
He has assured to extend necessary support to Odisha Circle for Strengthening of Tx Network and improvement of Network uptime. BNG equipment not to be diverted and utilized in Orissa. Agreed, not to divert BNG from Odisha Circle.
Click here for the Memorandum submitted to CMD BSNL
On 18th Sept 2021, team AIGETOA Punjab Comprising Circle Secretary Sh. Yogesh Chhabra, Circle President Sh. Vikas Gupta, ACS-1 Sh. Narinder Kumar and ACS-4 Sh. Ramanand Srivastava welcomed Hon’ble Director (CM) Shri Sushil Kumar Mishra on his official visit to Chandigarh and submitted memorandum containing issues of utmost importance for BSNL survival and burning issues of pay, pension & promotion(PPP). Inspite of his hectic schedule, he gave a patience hearing in the chamber of CGMT Punjab.
Each and every point is discussed in detail as mentioned below-
Immediate Launching of 4G Services
Team conveyed very clearly that 4G services should be launched at the earliest on PAN India basis as it is must for the survival of BSNL. He informed us that management is also working on the same path. Even Govt. of India is planning to provide financial support under their Make in India initiative. If TCS will pass this POC then PO will be given to TCS directly for launching of 4G services instead of any tender.
Revenue loss due to bundling of VAS services with our popular STVs
Association expressed their concern over leakage of money to VAS vendors due to bundling. Director (CM) informed us that BSNL doesn’t have its own platform for providing such services. These are necessary for the attention of customers. We also suggested that two separate STV’s with bundled and without bundled services can be launched and also revenue to be paid for only those subscribers which are using this services. He responded positively and said that he will definitely explore this.
Regularization of Salary
On this Director (CM) said that salary is regularized but the date of disbursement is 20th of every month due to some reason.
HR Restructuring & proper manpower utilization
Association side asked for the promotion of all eligible employees before the finalization of restructuring process as no. of post has been drastically decreased in management proposal. Director (CM) informed that discussions are already going on between union/association and management about the promotions to avoid stagnation of all employees in any cadre.
30% SAB to BSNL Recruit Employees
We expressed our deep concern over the avoidance of pension benefits to BSNL recruit employees by the management. In the recent Pandemic many employees lost their life and the family will hardly get a pension of Rs 2K to 3K a month from SAB Pension fund due to insufficient contribution. In light of this 30% SAB contribution should be extended to BSNL Recruited Employees and pending contribution till date to be submitted immediately. Director (CM) assured us to discuss this in next BSNL Board.
CHQ leaders of AIGETOA, SNEA, SEWA (BSNL) and AIBSNLEA met Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director(HR) on 10.09.2021 and held detailed discussions on promotion to BSNL Executives. It is informed that Restructuring is in very advanced stage and it will be presented to MC in a couple of days.
Earlier CHQ leaders of AIGETOA, SNEA, SEWA (BSNL) and AIBSNLEA met and deliberated the Restructuring process and its deadly consequences on career progression of the Executives. Even small increase in the number of posts is not going to address the issue. There is a huge disconnect in numbers proposed by management and actual requirement of the posts to ensure smooth promotion for all eligible Executives in all the Grades across all the wings. It is also deliberated that the existing vacancies especially in AGM/CAO equivalent grades are also not getting filled owing to complexities associated with respect to SLP at Hon Supreme Court, relating to Reservation and the management is also not trying for any solution taking excuse of the situation.
After detailed discussion, it is decided to work jointly for the career progression of all the Executives either by making Time Bound Promotions without linking it with availability of vacancies or by getting so many numbers of posts which ensures smooth promotion for all eligible Executives in all the Grades across all the wings in a time bound manner without stagnating any Executive in any cadre or stream.
Associations agreed to pursue for implementation of the Board approved Time Bound Promotion Policy of May 2018 with incorporation of provisions for following Govt/DoPT guidelines on Reservation protecting the constitutional rights. The promotions should be extended w.e.f. 01.07.2018 onwards as and when the Executives fulfill their eligibility criteria.
Associations will also demand that all the Adhoc DGM(T/F) Executives should be made regular DGM(T/F) as sufficient vacancies are available and thereafter all posts should be filled on regular basis. Issues raised by AIGETOA and AIBSNLEA on the policy will be pursued to be implemented. It was discussed that changes required to consider those issues can easily be addressed by Management Committee of the Board.
Associations agreed for incorporation of a merit based fast track promotion should also be introduced for DGM equivalent and above grade for promotion to higher positions from among meritorious BSNL Executives to lead BSNL by creating adequate number of such posts. Associations will also demand for scrapping of Current MTRR and DR DGM RRs and replaced with internal fast track mechanism.
Other than promotional aspects, all issues pertaining to Pay, Promotion and Pension shall also be jointly pursued by all.
CHQ leaders of AIGETOA and SNEA met CMD BSNL Shri P. K. Purwar and communicated that if BSNL management is going ahead with Restructuring and post reduction without working out the promotional avenues for its Executives and finalizing the future road map to fill up the top management positions in the company with meritorious candidates, then it is going to meet stiff resistance and opposition from all the Executives. Normally, norms are framed after conducting extensive work study in the field units, but no work study took place and restructuring process has been converted into a pen paper exercise aimed only for reduction in posts. The inputs given by Associations highlighting the shortcomings of the restructuring proposal has been completely ignored and management moving ahead with drastic reduction in posts which is not at all acceptable.
We said that management cannot simply ignore the fact that BSNL Board has approved a proposal in May 2018 where they want JTO/JAO Equivalent level Executives to reach to post of AGM in a time of 15 years of service. Such type of demeaning of Executives where management wants JTO/JAO/SDE/AO Equivalent grade officers to stagnate for as long as 12 years for their first promotion and 25 years for its second promotion will lead to a disastrous situation in BSNL, where every Executive will be in a state of unrest and will give rise to a serious conflict. We categorically demanded CMD/BSNL to put on hold current restructuring proposal and requested him to deliberate a proposal which leads to a complete transformation of organization in all respects including the work culture, motivation, promotional avenues, and recognition of Merit.
BSNL Board has approved Time Bound Promotion Policy in May 2018 itself and promotions should be ensured in a time bound manner for all eligible Executives, we demanded. CMD BSNL said that he remains open to further discussion and told us to discuss with Director HR, BSNL Board.
Later, both Association leaders met Shri Vivek Banzal, Director(CFA) and Shri S. K. Mishra, Director(CM) also and demanded Time Bound Promotion for all eligible Executives, before the Restructuring.
GS AIGETOA notified the Central Executive Committee Meet and Election of New Central Collegiums of AIGETOA on 18th & 19th October, 2021 for the next three years tenure and for transaction of business and Election of New Central Governing Body of AIGETOA CHQ. The Collegiums Election will be held on 19th October, 2021 from 10:00 Hours onwards and the result will be declared by the same day at 18:00 hours. The nomination for the Collegiums can be sent latest by 7th October 2021 in the enclosed format by the Circles. Final elected list of the Central Collegiums’ of the AIGETOA will be displayed on the AIGETOA CHQ website www.aigetoachq.org by 19th Oct 2021 for information to all.
Yesterday, CHQ leaders of both AIGETOA and SNEA discussed the ongoing Restructuring processes, which entails drastic reduction of posts. It will block the entire career progression of all the Executives, both Associations acknowledged.
It has concluded that Promotion in a time bound manner is the only solution for this and there is an urgent need for Fierce United Struggle to address the promotional issues of executives. Finally both sides decided to demand promotion for all eligible executives, time-bound promotion before any Restructuring and meet the CMD in this regard on Thursday itself and place the demand and address the issue immediately. Further discussion will continue for a common minimum program and other Associations will also be approached.
We will speak to SEWA and others also to join hands for the goal.
Today AIGETOA along with sister Unions & Associations participated in a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on welfare of other backward classes regarding “measures undertaken to secure representation of OBCs and their welfare.” at Hotel Radisson Blu in Guwahati. AIGETOA was represented by CS Assam – Sh Satyajyoti Nath and Executive Member – Sh Ashutosh Das.
At the start of the meeting, all the MPs were felicitated with Assamese Floral Gamocha by the representatives of associations and unions.
A memorandum was submitted demanding various measures for upliftment of the OBC community. Around 11 MPs both of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participated in the meeting n took stock of measures undertaken in BSNL for welfare of OBCs.
Apart from discussion on OBC issues, a short discussion took place on BSNL viability related issues. Individual memorandums were also submitted to all the MPs seeking support for the revival of BSNL.
Thereafter, the Committee had discussion with BSNL Management on OBC related issues. BSNL side was represented by CGMT Assam – Sh A K Pahi, PGM Pers – Sh Ramesh Kr Goel, Chief Liaison Officer for OBC – Sh Jagdish Prasad, GM Admin – Sh Anil Pankaj and other officers.
Click here for Memorandum on OBC Welfare Issues
All India President Shri Ravi Shil Verma along with Vice President Shri Badri Kumar Mehta and AGS 6 Shri Sunil Gautam met Director HR Shri Arvind Vadnerkar for a follow up on the pending issues on dated 31.08.2021:
In addition case related to Late Shri Pawan Kumar Sharma, Rajasthan Circle for BCF fund and some other individuals issues were also discussed on which Director HR assured for affirmative consideration.
The team shall again be meeting with Director HR and CMD BSNL next week for further follow up.