Team AIGETOA comprising of GS Shri Ravi Shil Verma, Chief Patron Sh Aftab Ahmad Khan, JS (South) Sh S Suresh along with Chairman Tamil Nadu Circle Sh T Senthil, CP CHTD Sh Jai Murugan, CS CHTD Uma Chandran met Sh Kalyan Sagar Director HR (Designate) in his office at Chennai Telephones on 24th Aug 2023. During the meeting discussion on various issues was held in length.

AIGETOA conveyed best wishes to the new Director HR and assured him full support & co-operation in all the endeavors taken in the interest of BSNL and its employees.

Click here for Glimpses of Meeting

Dear Friends,

As You all are aware that AIGETOA has reached to all associations like AIBSNLEA, SEWA, AITEEA, ABLE, AIBSNLOA, BBOA, BEA including the welfare associations like JAI BHIM SEWA, BSNLOBCEWA, AIBSNLOBCEWA and DEWAB. We have tried to reach to all rank and file of BSNL so as to have an inclusive approach with support and cooperation from all likeminded groups who want a strong and united voice for resolution of the long pending HR issues. We take pleasure in informing all that we have received a positive gesture from all except few. Three Major Groups have extended support to AIGETOA showing confidence in the endeavours of AIGETOA which has been taken for welfare of the Executive Fraternity.

Both the OBC associations of BSNL i.e. AIBSNLOBCEWA and BSNLOBCEWA have extended support to AIGETOA and have appealed to their fraternity to Vote for AIGETOA. The CHQ Team of Both the associations were welcomed by GS AIGETOA and CHQ Team of AIGETOA. We vowed to move together with firmness and unity to further the interests of the executives at large and also for extending support and cooperation in resolving and protecting the constitutional rights extended by Government of India to the OBC Executives.

Click here for the Letter of Support from AIBSNLOBCEWA

Click here for the glimpses of Joint Meeting with AIBSNLOBCEWA

Click here for the Letter of Support from BSNLOBCEWA

Click here for the glimpses of Joint Meeting with BSNLOBCEWA

The team AIGETOA consisting of GS Shri Ravi Shil Verma, AIP Shri G. Veerabhadra Rao and Dy GS Shri Pavan Akhand along with Sunil Gautam AGS have met PGM SR and discussed the following points and recived the positive assurance.

As per assurance given to AIGETOA, the 3rd PRC reminder letter to DoT:

As per the decision taken in AIGETOA agenda meeting, Dir HR has assured to give a reminder letter to DoT with respect to implementation of 3rd PRC. We informed that the letter has still not been issued. PGM SR assured that the reminder letter shall be written to the DoT at the earliest. We said while AIGETOA is taking all efforts to extend the 3rd PRC benefits to BSNL employees and is trying to ensure implementation of standard pay scales of E2 for JTO/JAO Equivalent, management must also reiterate its stand to DoT. PGM SR assured us for issuance of reminder letter to DoT.

Discussion on Circle office and Corporate Office Body recognition:

We once again raised the issue of consideration of Corporate office and Circle office immunity. While we tried to explain the requirements and PGM SR gave a patient hearing also but another round of meeting shall be required with Honble CMD BSNL for a concrete decision on the same. Association shall be taking it up tomorrow with CMD BSNL for further discussion.

Restructuring Letter – Issuance of Template for capturing Data for Cadre Strength Review:

As informed earlier, Restructuring Cell has finalised and submitted the draft for approval. During discussion, we pointed out that a review in positional norms is also required along with operational norms as the situation has changed now after extension of 2nd Revival Package to BSNL in July 2022, and hence the template for positional norms review should also be issued along with the letter. PGM SR appreciated the input and said that she will ensure that letter is issued tomorrow after suitable modifications.

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.

PGM SR said that she will discuss the inputs of association with higher authorities. AIGETOA shall also meet and apprise CMD BSNL on the concerns. ITPC Dev unit OA body issue and other circle’s OA body issues also discussed. PGM SR asked us to submit the letters on the issues.

This meeting ended with positive note.

Team AIGETOA consisting of GS Shri Ravi Shil Verma, AIP Shri Veerabhadra Rao, Dy GS Shri Pavan Akhand and National Convener Shri A A Khan met Director HR Shri Arvind Vadnerkar Ji for discussion over the issues. PGM Pers Shri S N Gupta was also present in the meeting:

Issuance of OTP cases :

Shall be done by the evening of 3rd July i.e. today. We again emphasized that there should not be any scope for discretion in the system and cases should be considered on merit. We once again highlighted that all the long pending cases of earlier OTPs must be considered.

Karnataka Circle OTP Cases:

There was a huge reluctance on the issuance of these OTP cases but after discussion finally Director HR issued directions to Pers cell to process at least 10 cases on OTP date seniority basis. The orders shall be issued in next 2-3 days.

Retention cases for Transfer on Long Stay basis:

The cases with genuine grounds and orders which have been issued by mistake are under consideration.

Herein we requested that all those who have been transferred under long stay must be given an option to join their present Circles after completion of their tenures. Further we requested to seek volunteers for posting in shortage circles before issuance of any long Stay transfers. We highlighted if executives have the confidence of getting their parent circles after completing their tenure, no body will hesitate to give voluntary request for transfer. This was agreed to be considered by management.

Retention cases of JTO to SDE Promotions:

We highlighted that even spouse cases have not been considered which ideally should have been considered as per policy. The issue in under discussion and we hope that management will agree to our request.

Discussion on issuance of immunity Guidelines :

We once again raised the issue of consideration of OA level and Circle office immunity. After discussions , Director HR told that he will be discussing the same with PGM SR and asked us to discuss with PGM SR.

Issuance of Firm Directions for Restructuring:

We said that as per earlier discussion, instructions with template was to be issued to circles. Director HR said that he will ensure that instructions are issued immediately and preferably by the evening of 3rd July 2023 ie today. He further assured us that the process will be completed by 31st July 2023. We once again highlighted the need for increase in number of posts in all streams and Grades ie JTO/JAO/Equivalent, SDE/AO/Equivalent, AGM/CAO/Equivalent, DGM/Equivalent in Telecom, Finance, CIVIL, Electrical, CSS, PA/PS etc. The same shall be examined with due consideration to all the requirements. A committee of CGMs will study the requirements and accordingly it will be issued.

Extending the dates for APAR reporting:

In view of the problems of ERP, we requested for extending the dates. Director HR agreed to consider the same.

Considering the notional Promotions for AGMs whose DPC was also done in June 2018 :

Director HR agreed to examine the same with positive consideration.

Meeting ended with a positive note.

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.