GS AIGETOA Shri Ravi Shil Verma has a detailed discussion with PGM SR over the phone and the Team of All India President Shri Veerabhadra Rao, Chief Patron and National Convener AIGETOA Shri A A Khan, AGSs Shri Yogendra Kumar and Shri Sunil Gautam and had follow up discussion with PGM SR on the following:

Issuance of Template for capturing Data for Cadre Strength Review:

As informed earlier, Restructuring Cell has finalised and submitted the draft for approval. After approval, the same is likely to be issued in a day or two.

Modification in Immunity Guidelines:

Though SR cell has processed the case, but some of the suggestions of association w.r.t the OA immunity and Circle office body was not considered. Accordingly, we have sought another meeting with Director HR and CMD BSNL.

As per the discussion held with Director HR on 22nd June 2023, GS AIGETOA Shri Ravi Shil Verma met PGM (RESTG & SR) Smt Anita Johri and discussed on the issues of review of the cadre strength and revised guidelines wrt the immunity.

It was informed that a revised letter containing consolidated guidelines along with the template of complete data required for review of Sanctioned Strength shall be issued to all Circles by next Wednesday. The complete data is being asked in first go itself to avoid delay This review of cadre strength is envisaged to increase the number of sanctioned posts in each cadre and stream which will smoothen the career progression of all the executives.

We further informed that association shall also be submitting it’s input by next week.

With respect to the submission of association for putting on hold the immunity guidelines, it was informed that instead of putting on hold, desired changes by the association has been put up for consideration by higher authorities. The revised immunity guidelines is expected to be issued by next Tuesday. We sincerely hope that all the contentious issues raised by us is taken into consideration.

With respect to OTP cases, it is informed that they are expected to be issued by next week.

General Secretary Shri Ravi Shil Verma, All India President Shri G Veerabhadra Rao & National Convenor & Chief Patron of AIGETOA Shri A A Khan met CMD BSNL on 21st June 2023 and extended the gratitude on behalf of AIGETOA for issuance of promotions of 228 JTOs to SDE on 20th June 2023 which is pending for many years.

Thereafter discussions took place on the issue of executing the remaining JTO to SDE promotions by vacating the existing stay at Hon’ble CAT Chandigarh.

CMD BSNL appreciated AIGETOA for getting the clarification orders issued from Hon’ble CAT Chandigarh which paved the way for promotions. We further discussed the various possibilities to vacate the stay and how to get the maximum number of JTOs promoted. We informed CMD BSNL that AIGETOA Team shall again be intervening in the court case at Chandigarh and Himachal to ensure the vacation of stay so that more number of candidates can be promoted. CMD BSNL was categorical in his statement that wherever possible, he is open to issuance of promotions and advised executives to refrain from court cases which only delays the process and doesn’t give any tangible output. We further explained to CMD BSNL on the way forward on how more number of vacancies can be made available in both the Quotas i.e. SCF as well as LDCE Quota. CMD BSNL appreciated the concern raised by AIGETOA and assured that as long as the process is in line with the rules defined and doesn’t disturbs the organisation, he is open to all such ideas to cover maximum promotions.

Thereafter, Team AIGETOA also highlighted the need for extending promotions to SDE to AGM upto List 13 and AGM to DGM Promotions which is resulting into a lot of demotivation. We also apprised CMD BSNL about our discussion with HR team on the way forward to ending the Stalemate in AO to CAO Promotions and AGM to DGM Promotions.

We once again reaffirm our commitment to go to any extent to get the promotions for all the eligible executives in various cadres and streams including the CIVIL, Electrical and CSS wings.

Together We will Achieve Everything.

The only substitute to AIGETOA is even more strong AIGETOA.

General Secretary Shri Ravi Shil Verma, President Shri Veerabhadra Rao, Shri Badri Kumar Mehta Finance Secretary, Shri Sunil Gautam AGS met Director HR on 21st June 2023 and extended the gratitude on behalf of AIGETOA for issuance of promotions of 228 JTOs to SDE. Thereafter a brief discussion took place on issues of SDE to AGM promotions, AGM to DGM Promotions, AO to CAO Promotions and Superannuation Contribution increase, Reversal Issue and increase in posts through Restructuring Review.

Director HR reiterated his commitment for the resolution of the issues and hoped that he will be able to resolve these long pending issues soon. We also highlighted that there is slow progress on the part of the cadre review and requested him to direct Restructuring cell to expedite the process. We also requested for his kind Intervention in review of the immunity guidelines. Director HR told us to speak to PGM (Restructuring & SR). He assured that he shall also be speaking with PGM (SR & Restg) and shall get it expedited.

AIGETOA CHQ has decided to publish a weekly update on status, level of persuasion and outcomes associated pertaining to various issues related to Executive Cadre. To start with, we are publishing the updates for the period 5th June to 13th June and hereinafter, weekly update shall be regularly updated on every Monday for the information of all the executives.

Last Week and this week Team AIGETOA comprising of All India President Shri Veerabhadra Rao, GS Shri Ravi Shil Verma, Dy GS Shri Pavan Akhand, AGSs Shri Yogendra Kumar and Shri Sunil Gautam met various authorities and had multiple meetings at the level of Director HR, PGM (SR & Restg), PGM (Pers), CGM (CNTx-North) and discussed the following issues:

Start of Process for Review of Cadre Strength:

The matter was strongly taken up before Director HR and PGM (Restg) and after detailed discussion finally instructions were given to start the cadre strength review process. Thereafter the Restructuring Cell has already initiated the review exercise. Association shall be giving its input in next few days. We are quite hopeful of increase in number of posts across all the cadres and streams in view of the increased revenue as well as because of new government projects like 4G saturation, Bharatnet, FTTH to Villages etc. AIGETOA’s firm emphasis shall be on sufficient increase in number of posts so that executives across various cadres and streams get a smooth career progression.

JTO to SDE DPC and increase in number of posts for DPC as well as LDCE:

We raised the matter pertaining to the long-awaited promotions in JTO to SDE cadre. We highlighted that Management must move ahead with a progressive thought process. Various complexities associated with the DPC process was discussed. We are hopeful of a positive outcome soon.

We also highlighted that the root cause of all problems is not filling up the vacancies of Pre-VRS and its high time that management must do a rethink on a current procedure adopted and instead should fill up the year wise vacancies available in the Pre-VRS ERA which will end the various disputes in fact across all cadres and streams. Further we have also requested for counting the SDE vacancies against Look After Posts in AGM Cadre which will also increase the number of vacancies. We are quite hopeful that management will definitely give a rethink on the approach adopted and ensure that sufficient vacancies are available for covering all the eligible JTOs in both the quota.

SDE to AGM Promotions:

We once again reminded management about their earlier commitment and to ensure that sufficient vacancies are available in AGM cadre for ensuring the promotions of all eligible SDEs. We also requested for considering the methodology which we have presented during the agenda meeting which was subsequently discussed with CMD BSNL also and there was a broad consensus on towing that line. We expressed our regret on the reluctancy on the part of Pers section for moving ahead with the SDE to AGM Promotions by making sufficient vacancies available by virtue of diversions and rearrangement within the defined strength. The matter is under discussion and deliberation at the level of Director HR and we sincerely feel and hope that finally management will move ahead with the proposal submitted by AIGETOA to ensure the promotions of all eligible. We also requested management to ensure that speaking order issued by BSNL in Madras High Court must be followed in letter and spirit and any deviation from that will result into a contemptuous act by BSNL for that the sole responsibility shall lie on Pers section only.

AO to CAO promotions:

We requested management for trying to get the stay vacated at Hon’ble Chandigarh CAT and if needed the appeal should be filed before Hon’ble High court to seek vacation of stay on the promotions. Further, we also requested for diversion of vacancies from SET quota to DPC quota which will ensure that promotions of all the eligible AOs can be done to CAO grade. We highlighted that AIGETOA will never allow recruitment of SETs and hence instead of keeping the vacancies on hold, the same must be diverted to DPC quota which will end the dispute.

DE to DGM Promotions:

We requested for filing an MA at Hon’ble Chandigarh CAT wherein we requested for submissions of BSNL with regard to fulfilling the directions of Hon’ble Court as now the decision at the highest level has already been taken for following the DoP&T guidelines for reservation in promotions and there is no ambiguity as such over the methodology to be adopted as concurrence of DoP&T has also been obtained on the methodology adopted by BSNL. It’s high time that management stops calling the promotions as provisional and should move forward with promotions in AGM Cadre to DGM cadre by filling up all the available vacancies. Management agreed to our request and assured that after taking legal opinion, matter shall be pursued either at Hon’ble CAT Chandigarh or at Hon’ble Supreme Court where the SLP is pending.

DGM (Adhoc) to DGM (Regular)

We requested for continuing the services of Senior Advocate and also requested BSNL for filing an appeal at Hon’ble High Court. The same was agreed by management side.

SDE 2007 reversal issue:

Matter was deliberated at length with the Director HR and committee members. The discussions were positive and we hope that things will soon fall in line. We sincerely hope that management will extend justice to the affected candidates and we firmly assure that AIGETOA will ensure resolution, come what may.

OTP cases including transfer cases of KTK Circle and waiting list of other hard tenure Circles and changes in Transfer Policy:

It was assured that OTP cases shall be processed in this week including the ones from Karnataka Circle on which there is a firm assurance that the cases shall be considered based on the criteria of date of application when the executive first time applied for OTP. We further highlighted the precarious scenario where one executive is getting transferred within circle, thereafter Inter Circle. We requested for a moratorium on transfer of the executive in Inter Circle also for at least five years if he/she has already undergone transfer within the circle. We requested for a centralized transfer policy where an executive doesn’t faces repeated transfers, first within the circle and then Inter Circle. We further highlighted the arbitrary selection of choice circles where in an executive higher in waiting list is not getting his first or second choice while another executive getting the same station despite being junior in the waiting list. We also requested for publication of waiting list in OTP cases also and publication of vacancies available in circle so that an executive can make an informed choice in OTP window. Management side agreed to explore the suggestions and we are hopeful of a positive outcome on the above suggestions. Maximum use of automated procedures and minimum use of discretionary power is the demand of AIGETOA and transparency in the process is a must.

Extending the Laptop Policy for field units also:

Association extended its thanks for approving the Laptop Reimbursement Policy and requested for immediate replication of the same for executive’s upto JTO/JAO/Equivalent level in the field units. Management Side assured to positively consider the same for field units also.

Revision in the TA/DA/Allowances at current market rates:

Director HR appreciated the concern and assured that needful action shall be done to revise the same.

Association Immunity Policy:

We requested for keeping the letter dated 14.10.2022 held in abeyance at least till next MV. It is anticipated that management will take a considerate view on the same.

Friends,

Above are the update on the persuasion made by Association in Last Few Days and the outcome associated with the persuasion. All we can assure is that AIGETOA is fully committed to resolve the PPP issues and things are moving on a positive note on the issues related to promotion and restructuring. In next few days, AIGETOA shall be knocking the doors of the highest echelons in DoT and Nodal Ministry to ensure precipitation and resolution of the financial issues including the Pay Scale issues, Pay loss issues, 30 Percent SAB, 3rd PRC, Pension Revision. All these issues pertain to the policies of government and hence we must have to pursue at the highest level and our association AIGETOA is fully committed to go to any extent to ensure the resolution of these financial issues. Further our Legal team has finalized the Legal aspects and association has decided to take the legal recourse also for ensuring the resolution of all the pay loss related issues.

Further a detailed meeting of the Director HR and other senior officers of HR group has taken place with the leaders of the Forum of BSNL Associations on 13th June 2023 wherein issues related to MSRRs, promotions in various cadres, immunity, transfer policy etc has been discussed. The detailed update shall be shared at the platform of Forum in due course. Discussion of that meeting has also ended on a positive note.

Today President AIGETOA Shri Veerabhadra Rao and GS AIGETOA Shri Ravi Shil Verma met PGM Restg and discussed the issue of reviewing the sanctioned strength across various cadres in continuation of our earlier discussions held with CMD BSNL, Director HR, GM Pers and PGM Restg. Yesterday also GS AIGETOA reminded PGM Restg about the commitments made at the level of CMD BSNL and Director HR and requested her for immediately starting the process. Earlier also Team AIGETOA had met Director HR and CMD BSNL and requested them to intervene for immediate completion of the process. In the meeting itself, Director HR has directed PGM Restg to initiate the process.

Today a detailed discussion took place. PGM Restg informed that she has already set the action in motion and Circles shall be asked to give their feedback on the strength across various cadres. She also requested AIGETOA to give it’s input w.r.t the strength across various cadres/streams including Bharatnet and 4G saturation projects. Association also needs to submit its input w.r.t the staffing norms (operational as well as positional). AIGETOA Team shall be submitting this input by next week so as to get the exercise complete as early as possible. With an increase in strength, many of the worries will be over and a smooth career progression can be ensured across all the cadres and streams. It will be AIGETOA’s endeavor to ensure that the interest of the cadre is protected and unnecessary court cases owing to such apprehensions and confusion can be avoided.

Further discussion on the letter issued wrt Membership change option on ESS was also done wherein AIGETOA has suggested certain inputs on which PGM SR has given positive consideration. Option for dual membership shall continue in ESS also. Further concurrence of DS/CS as per existing process must be ensured in ERP for approving the membership as it is the DS/CS of any association who is authorized to accept the Membership not the administration. Corrigendum shall be issued by SR cell on this.

Brief discussion on immunity guidelines also took place.

Earlier a detailed discussion of Team AIGETOA was held on 31st May 2023 with the committee members constituted for taking care of reversal issue. Detailed discussion took place on the way forward and association has noted the inputs and is acting upon it in consultation with the team. We are sure of resolving the reversal issue also at the earliest.

Today, on 6th June, another meeting of Team AIGETOA is scheduled with GM Pers for discussion on the JTO to SDE DPC, SDE to AGM promotions, AGM to DGM Promotions, AO to CAO promotions, OTP cases, Tenure Cases, MSRR clauses, LICE etc. We hope for positive outcome from that meeting also.

AIGETOA will ensure the resolution of all the pending HR issues. We seek the support of all the executives in ensuring the resolution of issues irrespective of their associations which will motivate the leadership in performing better.

AIGETOA was an invitee in International L20 Meet for Symposium on Social Security organized by BMS Delhi Chapter. After the symposium, the delegation of AIGETOA CHQ Team met Hon’ble Minister of State for Communication, Sh. Devusinh Chauhan Ji and requested for his intervention in settling the long pending issue of E2 and E3 pay scales and 30 percent SAB along with 3rd PRC to BSNL employees. Hon’ble Minister invited us to his office for a detailed discussion on the issues pertaining to BSNL including the HR issues.

GS BTEU Sh R C Pandey and Chairman TOA Sh Anil Tiwari along with his team was also present. We also met International L 20 President Shri Hiranmay Pandya Ji and All India Organizing Secretary Sh V Surendran and exchanged greetings.

Notification for the annual general body meeting of AIGETOA was issued vide letter GS/AIGETOA/2022-23/64 Dated 04.05.2023 wherein one of the agenda is to fill up the casual vacancy of General Secretary post in Governing body of AIGETOA. Election schedule to fill up the vacant post of General Secretary is hereby notified as under.

1] Date and time of nomination : 21.05.2023 at 11am to 01pm.

2] Date and time of election : 21.05.2023 at 2pm.

3] Date and time of declaration of result : 21.05.203 at 5pm.

4] Returning office : Shri Vivek Kumar Singh, Deputy Manager, BSNL CO, New Delhi.

Venue : New Delhi.

Click here for Schedule for Election for vacant post

The Annual General Meet (AGM) of AIGETOA CHQ is notified to held from 20th to 23rd May 2023 as per the provisions of the constitution. The annual general meet of the association will be conducted at New Delhi. All Collegium Members, Central Working Committee (Elected & Nominated) are requested to attend the meeting. The details for the meeting are as below :

Schedule of Annual General Meeting:

20th May 2023 (10.00am to 2.30pm) : Central Governing Body Meeting.

20th May 2023 (3.00pm to 8.00pm) : Annual General Body Meeting.

21st May 2023 (10.00am to 8.00pm) : Annual General Body Meeting.

22nd May 2023 (10.00am to 6.00pm) : Open Session

23rd May 2023 (10.00am to 20.00pm) : CS-CP-CHQ (Elected & Nominated) Meeting.

Venue of the Meeting : New Delhi. (Exact venue shall be informed through AIGETOA website).

Click here for the Notice of AGM

Sh Ravi Shil Verma All India Chairman, Sh Veerabhadra Rao All India President, Sh Sunil Gautam and Sh Rakesh Meena CS NTR met GM(Pers) Sh S N Gupta and Pers Team for discussion on pending issues:

JTO to SDE Promotions :

We expressed our strong resentment on the non issuance of promotions in the JTO to SDE cadre despite approval and notification of the revised SDE RRs. We reminded them about the consistently missing deadlines despite the assurances given by the apex of the organization i.e. by CMD BSNL in meeting dated 21.03.2023 and Director (HR) in the agenda meeting held in February. We said such type of continued ignorance on the long pending issues is basically denting the trust of executives in the system and the same is never good for any organization to flourish.

After detailed discussions, it was finally agreed that all available vacancies upto 31st December 2022 shall be filled up by 25th May 2023. LDCEs shall be also notified simultaneously in which all the eligible JTOs can appear for promotion on the fast track basis. We requested them to expedite the process further and ensure the promotions in next few days. We also insisted that LDCEs should also be notified immediately to benefit more JTOs. Further, simultaneous processing of both the streams will minimize the legal hurdles also.

SDE Reversal Issue :

We told GM Pers that SDE Reversal is another issue which has kept unsettled despite repeated assurances at various levels. We insisted upon immediate conclusive action on the issue to ensure that these innocent SDEs do not suffer any further. GM Pers assured for a speedy action on the issue.

SDE to AGM Promotions and Increasing AGM & DGM vacancies:

We have reminded the deliberations and discussions held in our AIGETOA agenda meeting ( 08 & 22-02-2023 ) and separate meeting with CMD & DIR HR on 21-03-2023. GM pers said that as and when directed by Director (HR), action shall be initiated. AIGETOA Team shall be taking up this issue further with Hon’ble CMD BSNL and Director (HR) for a speedy resolution.

Issuance of OTP cases of Karnataka Circle :

The issue is under consideration and the same shall be processed along with the long stay transfer cases expected to be held soon.

Retention/Modifications/Cancellation cases

We informed that many cases have not been considered and requested to consider the same at the earliest.