A meeting was held by BSNL Management with all unions and associations today at 16:00 Hrs wrt submission of EPF Higher Pension. On behalf AIGETOA, the meeting was attended by Sh Ansal Mohammed along with President AIGETOA Sh Veerabhadra Rao.

In line with our earlier discussions, it is informed that BSNL will be giving a certificate stating the compliance of para 26(6) and the contributions made there of to each employee so as to enable the aspirants to upload along with the enhanced pension option online link. The certificate and undertaking will be made available through ESS portal within a week. It is also a matter of pride that Dir HR has mentioned about recent judgement by Hon’ble HC Kerala and its relevance which was fought by AIGETOA and it’s OBs. We have also submitted the clearance on EPF act -1952 (where para 26(6) is applicable) and EPS-1995 scheme where the 11(3)/11(4) enhanced pension option is envisaged and in line with Hon’ble SC Judgement dated 4/11/2022. Association submitted that to make full proof on the 26(6) matter, the joint option signed by employee and employer also may be submitted to respective RPFCs and a copy of the same may be made available for employee to submit along with the higher option along with the certificate by BSNL. This can be done as per Hon’ble HC Kerala judgement on WP(c) 13120/2015 and connected cases where BSNL employees are also parties, directed to EPFO that the options on 26(6) need to processed without insistence on a date.

The team AIGETOA met PGM SR, GM Pers and GM Recruitment on 16th Mar 2023 and discussed the following points:

Meeting with PGM(SR):

We met PGM(SR) and asked about the release of MoM of the agenda meeting held with Dir(HR), Allotment of quarter to Association and Initiation of MV process. PGM SR Informed that MoM Draft is under circulation for comments from participating sections before final approval. It will be shared with us once the draft is ready. It is expected to be issued next week as assured by PGM(SR). On allotment of quarter to association we apprised about the development from the time we received vacant quarter list from Building Section. She said She will discuss with Dir(HR) about all the developments regarding it. AIP showed his apprehension about the intent behind premature initiation of MV and raised doubt about the process started by the SR branch, she said that MV shall be conducted in Sep 2023 and they are only making the preparations to hold it in time. We pointed out that SR cell has deviated from the defined process and they must keep things in order to enable smooth completion of process.

Meeting with GM(Pers):

Later team has met the GM pers to discuss the burning issues like SDE reversal issue and left out JTOs promotions issue and other HR issues.

GM pers told us that Left out promotions couldn’t be done as the new SDE RRs have yet not been finalized. Team AIGETOA expressed its strong displeasure on consistent missing of timelines and sought immediate necessary conclusive actions.

On SDE reversal issue GM Pers said that the committee has not yet finalized the step to issue the promotion orders from SDE to AGM and he shall be discussing with Director HR in coming week on this. We requested to take this issue in mission mode and resolve the long pending issue without any delay now.

Meeting with GM(Recruitment):

Team has met GM Recruitment Smt Samita Luthra and discussed the release of Special JTO LICE results and other points. On result declaration she informed it may take tentatively one week more as the PWD reservation issue is not yet finalized by the BSNL management.

We have later met officers from establishment section to pursue the Rule-9 JTOs extension cases. The requests have been considered positively and orders have been issued.

All India Chairman Shri Ravi Shil Verma and AGS Shri Sunil Gautam met CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar and once again requested for granting the time for the agenda meeting under his chairmanship. We emphasised upon the need for a meeting where conclusive discussion takes place on the issues raised earlier. CMD BSNL appreciated our concern and accepted our request. The agenda meeting shall be held in the second half of 21st March 2023.

Discussion on ongoing MT process was also held wherein we raised our objection to the process and requested for his intervention in stopping the process further. CMD BSNL was non committal on stopping the process but he said he is open to discussion on all issues including the MT issue. We raised the legal points also pertaining to this. We shall be submitting our formal inputs in black and white also. One thing is clear, come what may, AIGETOA cannot allow this recruitment to take place and will take all efforts and all means to stop this process.

Earlier we highlighted to Director HR about the conclusions of agenda meeting wrt JTO to SDE Promotions and Settlement of SDE Reversal issue for which the assured cut-off date was 15th March 2023. We shall be following the issues committed in the agenda meeting on a daily basis to ensure that the committed date is not breached. A little bit of slowdown is there due to Festive Week, however AIGETOA is fully hopeful that management will not break its promise and will honour their commitments. Further, as a follow up to the agenda meeting, another meeting with Director HR shall be held on 13th March 2023 at 5.30 pm.

AIC and AGS also met GM PERS and discussed the OTP issues, OTP orders for Karnataka, issuance of new hard tenure and soft tenure stations, opening of another OTP window for those who missed to apply in last window because their applications were rejected on last day of the earlier window, relieving of executives who have completed their tenures, allowing those executives who have applied in OTP to opt for new stations for those falling in Long Stay list, and issues related to Long Stay Transfers. GM Pers assured that OTP cases shall be considered and also agreed to consider our request for opening a short window. On those persons who are falling in long stay list and have already applied in OTP, he suggested that all such executives may opt for their choices by sending Emails to Pers I and Pers II section (agmpers1@gmail.com & agmpers2@gmail.com). He said OTP requests of Karnataka Circle shall also be considered by posting more number of executives to Karnataka Circle. On the new tenure station orders, he said that one final meeting is due to be held with CMD BSNL and thereafter the matter shall be decided in finality. For relieving of the executives for tenure stations and those completed their tenures, a final reminder shall be issued to circles directing them to relieve the Executives on transfer else they shall be relieved through ERP. On long stay transfers, AIGETOA firmly submitted its view that management should remain uniform in its approach and there should not be any discrimination or preferential treatment to anyone or any group. GM Pers assured that management will remain uniform in its approach.

Meeting with respect to the Pay related issues with establishment section and Immunity related discussion with SR cell shall be held next week.

We are in receipt of many queries from Members and Executives after an incomplete update has been given on the website of our sister association. We didn’t updated anything on the website earlier as it was decided that all the forum members will give a single draft to management and accordingly we have updated only the suggestions and inputs part by forum of BSNL associations. As regard to the comment of Hon’ble CMD BSNL is concerned, we eager to see the white paper as per his statement on the issue of pending financial benefits of BSNL Recruits. We also want to see, how management proves their sentence of ensuring at par benefits for BSNL Recruits vis-à-vis the other group of executives in this organisation.

The complete details of the AIGETOA submission in the meeting and management response is as stated below:

We have taken around 15 minutes time for our submissions.

First 2-3 minutes were on presentation with respect to growth of BSNL and the future good picture of BSNL as presented by management. AIGETOA Congratulated management and BSNL Board with a comment that going by the facts presented with respect to the development aspects of BSNL, definitely management deserves an applause for the same. AIGETOA also gave their suggestions with respect to the improvement in network.

Next, 4-5 minutes were with respect to questions on presentation of MTNL BSNL Merger. Representative of AIGETOA stated that keeping every point aside, management has missed to mention the financial and profitability aspects of this merger. AIGETOA representative said how much BSNL is going to earn and how much BSNL is going to spend on taking over and running the MTNL operations, same should have also been detailed in the presentation before seeking a comments from association. The profitability aspect of this merger must be kept in mind and indemnity against such losses must be ensured by the government before moving ahead with this merger.  

Next 6-7 mins, AIGETOA started with Congratulations to CMD BSNL on salary regularisation and stated that it’s good that now people have stopped asking when salary will be deposited in account. It is also good that there is a growth in revenue and BSNL has consistently been EBIDTA positive. The comfortable level vis-à-vis the revenue as well as expenditure is also visible. It is also good that CMD BSNL has praised the role of employees. It is further good that government has extended two revival packages for BSNL. But despite all these, it’s high time to deliberate on what has been extended to those employees who are left in BSNL and those who have been carrying the load of the organisation and executing the initiatives in BSNL Favour in the toughest times of organisation, sometimes, even spending the money from their own pockets.

Representative of AIGETOA further stated that definitely, the first priority of everyone is BSNL and its wellbeing. All the employees are fully committed towards the responsibilities assigned to them. It was further stated by AIGETOA that all the executives working in BSNL have similar responsibilities towards their families also and it’s high time that management should start investing in HR also by considering it as resource and should calculate the return on this investment after one year.  All have joined BSNL with aspirations of their pay, pension, promotions and social security of their families. Every employer is duty bound to extend the genuine dues to its employees. AIGETOA Raised the issue of pay scales, pay loss and 30 percent SAB issues and reminded management that these are the residual issues of 2^nd PRC which have not been implemented yet and now BSNL should start implementing these residual issues of 2^nd PRC. We also said that PRMB is guideline by DPE and its good that BSNL has extended CGHS for absorbed officers, similar guidelines of DPE with respect to creation of post-retirement medical benefit fund (a defined contribution scheme) has not been implemented yet in BSNL. AIGETOA also said that pension of DoT absorbed executives should be revised and similarly the DPE guidelines w.r.t BSNL recruits must be implemented in totality. 

CMD BSNL intervened thereafter with his reply on AIGETOA points. He first clarified on benefits of taking over operations of MTNL and stated that with this merger, BSNL will have a Pan India presence as it will be difficult for BSNL to create an entirely new network in areas of Delhi and Mumbai. On this AIGETOA has submitted that at least 10 year cushion against losses should be borne by government, if merger is at all to take place and government should indemnify BSNL against all such losses for at least next 10 years.

On the benefits pertaining to BSNL Recruits, definitely CMD BSNL approach was negative with a comment that BSNL is spending at least 20 to 30 percent more on BSNL Recruits than DoT absorbed and he is ready to issue a white paper in this regard. However, AIGETOA is categorical in its approach that Defined Contribution Benefits can never be compared with Defined Benefits and emphasized that management is welcome to issue a white paper.

There were few other comments also from CMD BSNL on which association is preparing its response and is waiting for the white paper to be issued by Management before taking a final call on the next course. Further, it will be worth to mention that AIGETOA was the only association to question on the multi-dimensional aspects of merger of MTNL into BSNL. We have not opposed the merger and instead suggested that before merger, the pending HR issues must be settled and Pay Scales of BSNL executives should be made at par with MTNL counter parts instead of lowering their Scales and that 3^rd PRC must be implemented.

Those speaking after us have not countered anything from their side and instead it can be felt from their web update that somewhere they are in agreement of the words of CMD BSNL.  Our Sister Association is even calling Leave Encashment as part of retirement benefits for which AIGETOA already got a clarification issued from DPE. Based on that clarification, other PSUs implemented 30% SAB in totality while sadly BSNL started partial SAB in 2016 after prolonged persuasion by our association. They have also wrongly reported that we have entered into any comparison because we are firmly aware that Defined Benefits of absorbed executives cannot be compared with Defined Contribution Benefits as per DPE guidelines.

As far as AIGETOA is concerned, we remain committed for resolution of each and every issue. We are of the firm view that BSNL Recruits are governed by different rules (DPE) on these matters and the Defined Contribution Benefits cannot be compared with defined benefits. We firmly state that if management is so concerned on extra contribution towards BSNL Recruits, they are welcome to review the contribution and extend the same benefits as defined for the DoT counterparts, like applicability of 50% Pension (Old Pension Scheme) after 20 year service, complete Leave Encashment of 300 days on Resignation/VR, CGHS facilities to the retired BSNL recruits etc. IF at all any comparison is to be made, the same should be of benefits not contribution. The comparison should be on the social status of the employee post retirement and his family after the death of the employee. The comparison should be on how many recommendations of DPE exclusively pertaining to BSNL recruits have been implemented in totality vis-à-vis the recommendations made with regard to the other set of employees. AIGETOA is not interested in any comparison but going by the statement of CMD BSNL and the web update of our sister association, it is definitely giving an essence that this comparison is essentially required to expose the misdeeds of the past. We will surely welcome and wait ensure the white paper by Management on this comparison. We are quite interested to see how this white paper will do the comparison between defined benefits and defined contribution. Come what may, we will continue to raise all such injustices and disparities in future also and at all available platforms till it is resolved in totality.

Hence, we request all the BSNL recruits to not to get demotivated by such statements of management as well as other groups and associations. AIGETOA is totally committed to ensure that all the groups in this organisation gets their defined dues and BSNL Recruits will also get their dues. There is no such comparison and there cannot be any such comparison.

Team AIGETOA Punjab Circle comprising Circle President Sh Vikas Gupta, Asst Circle Secretary Sh Narinder Kumar, Asst Circle Secretary Sh Vivek Asthana, District Secretary Nodal-Center Sh Ajit Singh and District President Nodal-Center Sh Anurag Parkash met Sh Sandeep Govil Director (CM) BSNL Board on his maiden visit to Chandigarh on 25.02.2023 to review Indigenous 4G launch.

Team welcomed him and congratulated him on assuming the high office of Director CM Team had brief discussion on various issues including 4G roll out, VAS bundling issue, increase in SAB contribution, Pay scale issues, Promotion in all cadres, Payment of GTI and GHI by BSNL. He gave patient hearing to our issues and assured to look into them. Team also submitted a memorandum to Director (CM).

Click here for Memorandum

AIGETOA Team consisting of All India Chairman Shri Ravi Shil Verma, All India President Shri Veerabhadra Rao, General Secretary Shri Pavan Akhand, AGS Shri Yogendra Kumar and Joint Secretary Shri R N Mishra met CMD BSNL and discussed upon execution of further promotions in all cadres including that of JTO to SDE, SDE to AGM, AO to CAO and AGM to DGM promotions. CMD BSNL told us that his emphasis is always on executing the maximum possible promotions and to streamline the process, he has already instructed the HR team to publish the DPC and LDCE Calendar. In MSRR he said, the board has already approved the RRs but he and his team are open to discussions on the ways to execute the promotions provided the same falls within the ambit of defined structure and rules. We emphasized that things are quite possible within the ambit of rules and need is only to consider the ways with a positive mindset. We sought formal time from him for discussions. He said he shall be extending the formal meeting to discuss upon the inputs of association.

We also had a brief discussion on the restructuring part where in we stated that need for revisiting the strength is there as two years period are over and staff is further required for executing BharatNet Project in view of BBNL Merger and for executing the 4G saturation Project. CMD BSNL was affirmative on staff requirements especially in case of 4G Saturation Project. On BharatNet, he said that there is limited scope as most of the Fiber is outsourced. We told that there is ample scope in BharatNet also even by considering the outsourcing norms and we shall be presenting that formally also. The formal meeting with CMD BSNL is likely to be held in first week of March 2023 in view of his preoccupied tight schedule in this and coming week.

On AO to CAO promotions and AGM to DGM promotions, CMD BSNL told that decision is expected from Hon’ble court in the next hearing and thereafter promotions can be immediately held. The JTO to SDE promotions shall also be held soon.

We also discussed upon management moving once again on MT Recruitment. We requested CMD BSNL to not to start the process again as already many cases are there and matter is pending at Hon’ble PCAT where even the notification is under challenge. We said that going again with MT Recruitment will create huge unrest in executives. CMD BSNL said that he is aware of the legal positions and the department will not do anything in contravention to any court orders. However he emphasized that he firmly stands for meritocracy in which we said that if BSNL is really for meritocracy, then they should restore the seniority of LDCE passed candidates belonging to list 12 and 13 and ensure their promotions. Similarly they should resolve the SDE Reversal issue who have qualified the LDCE 2007 for which they were held fully eligible for appearing in the exam and they qualified the exam with merit. We requested Hon’ble CMD BSNL to extend the due position and seniority to the LDCE passed executives including that of List 12 and 13 and 147 group.

Thereafter we met GM Pers also and discussed OTP cases, Orders for new Hard and soft tenure stations belonging to Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Gujarat, SDE Reversal issue etc. We also requested GM Pers to allow all the candidates falling in long stay 24-25 years to opt for OTP transfers on their choice stations and also to open the window for them whose applications are pending in the Hard Tenure Waiting List. We also requested to open a special window for the executives whose applications were rejected on the last day so that they can modify their choices in current OTP window itself. We also suggested GM Pers to allow executives to cancel or modify their OTP applications in the module itself which will save a lot of time for the candidates as well as administration.

GM Pers said that opening a special window is under consideration for the candidates whose applications were rejected on the last day. Orders for new Hard Tenure and Soft Tenure Stations of Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Gujarat and few other stations shall be issued within a week. He assured that suggestions of association with respect to modification of OTP choices or cancellation of his own request can also be considered.

We also discussed upon the developments in the SLP filed by BSNL in 147 cases. We told GM Pers to consider revising the Seniority in line with the Hon’ble High Court orders which are most likely to be upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court also. We said, that now is high time for the department to extend the genuine dues to LDCE passed candidates belonging to various batches by restoring their seniority in view of the recent developments at Hon’ble Supreme Court in 147 case. GM Pers said that matter shall be discussed with BSNL Senior Counsel.

Friends, every issue will be discussed with management and concerned HR groups with full focus.

We firmly assure that none of the issues will remain pending with our consistent persuasion at all levels. We are in touch with other authorities also to get resolution of our pending HR issues.

Grant of Special Casual Leave to Executive Members of AIGETOA for attending Central Executive Meet cum CWC on 17.02.2023 at Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Click here for letter

As per provisions in the constitution of AIGETOA and subsequent discussion, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) Meet cum CWC of AIGETOA of Central Headquarter is hereby notified to be held as per the given schedule.

Date & Time : 17th Feb 2023 from 10:00 to 18:00 Hrs (Friday)

Venue : Bikaner (Rajasthan)

Click here for Notice

Team AIGETOA comprising of AIC Sh Ravishil Verma, GS Sh Pavan Akhand, AGS Sh Yogendra Kumar & AGS Sh Sunil Gautam met Dir HR on 19.01.2023 discussed issues related to OTP request transfers, modifications of Hard and Soft tenure stations for Uttarakhand and Karnataka Circles, left out JTO to SDE promotion, SDE reversal issue, left out all eligible SDE to AGM promotions, Syllabus and Pattern for examination.

On OTP request transfer, it was informed that Director HR has directed Personnel Section to process the request transfer cases and the cases shall be considered based on feasibility, merit of the requests and administrative requirements. There was a reluctance on the part of Director HR with respect to consideration of the request cases from Karnataka Circle. However, after our insistence, he agreed to consider cases from Karnataka also. It is expected that orders may be issued within one week.

It was discussed that all AGMs (those who already applied OTP request) who has been promoted in recent SDE to AGM will have to apply fresh OTP in AGM cadre by cancelling the old OTP request. Further, we requested for consideration of request transfer cases of SDEs wanting the transfer to Hard Tenure stations against the waiting list of JTOs wanting to move out from these circles through Rule 8. This way both the waiting list for Rule 8 as well as waiting list for SDEs for hard tenure will be cleared.

Further, we also requested to consider seeking volunteers for posting at deficit circles from all the cadres so that executives from long stay list can accommodate themselves against such circles voluntarily. Director HR assured to consider our suggestions in this regard.

On the issue of declaration of Hard Tenure Stations of Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Soft tenure Stations for Karnataka and few other places, It was informed that matter is under active consideration, discussions have taken place and order is expected in the last week of January 2023.

On Left out JTO to SDE, way out to promote 104 executive is under consideration and they will be promoted soon.

On SDE Reversal issue, it was informed by Director HR that issue is under active consideration. Association demanded to immediately settle the issue without any further delay. Director HR appreciated our concern.

On PWD issue, clarity will be there once Hon’ble PCAT decides the issue. However, the seats have been kept reserved for them.

Promotion for left out SDE to AGM all eligible: The issue was once again discussed at length and we shared once again the complete road map to achieve the objective. We shared the vacancy calculations and necessary steps, how stagnation criteria can be inserted by discussion with all stake holders and how objections of other stake holders can be taken care of was also discussed. We also highlighted that the Manpower Plan devised for BharatNet project is not as per the operational norms approved by BSNL Board and the same needs a correction with more number of SDEs, AGMs and DGMs post be deployed for the purpose. Further we emphasized that there is need for exclusive manpower deployment for 4G saturation project also. By this way enough posts can be created and there shall be a smooth path for not only these executives who are currently eligible but it will create a path for future SDEs also. Though, Director HR was positive on the issue but any final decision shall be taken only after discussions with CMD BSNL. We have shared the agenda points on this issue to Hon’ble CMD BSNL and his time slot for the aforesaid discussion is awaited.

We also discussed on the Syllabus and Pattern for examination. We suggested that the syllabus should be designed in such a way that it assesses the executives based on their competence, management skills and leadership qualities instead of testing the bookish knowledge. Director HR appreciated our view and told that committee formed for the purpose shall take the inputs from AIGETOA before moving forward on anything.

Meeting of Team AIGETOA comprising of GS (I/C) Shri Pavan Akhand, AIC Shri Ravi Shil Verma, Convenor Shri P N Sharma, FS Shri B K Mehta and AGS Shri Yogendra Kumar was held with Members of the MS RR committee headed by Sh R K Goyal CGM CN-TX held on 05-12-2022 for informal discussion on various clauses of draft MS RR .Team AIGETOA put all the concerns of members as suggested by Internal MS RR committee of AIGETOA according to findings given by internal committee members vide online meeting held on 04-12-2022 . The Team categorically emphasized that AIGETOA first wants to know the vision of management behind drafting these RRs and what level they are envisaging for a fresh entry level executives to reach to while framing this draft. We categorically told that without knowing Managements version, We are not in a position to submit any draft. Thereafter management side explained their vision after which the discussion and deliberations started.

Following Major points were highlighted by Team AIGETOA to MS RR draft committee :

• We clearly emphasized that there is Lack of overall career progression path and HR vision is missing in the draft RR . While it’s a good thing that management is moving towards meritocracy but at the same time it can be seen that the residency period at higher levels have been raised too high which will stop the career progression at higher levels.

• Minimum assured career progression for all executives as well as opportunity to reach at apex position by meritorious candidate is totally missing in the draft RR. There should be selection by merit at all levels and mere APAR scores should not be the only criteria to judge the suitability of executives at level beyond DGM. Merit has to be the criteria for selection at all levels.

• Stagnation clause must be there at AGM/CAO level in the MS RR . Without stagnation clause and sufficient provision to the promotional avenues of existing executives, no MSRR is acceptable to AIGETOA.

• External Recruitment mentioned in MS RR ( MT & DR DGM) should be abolished and AIGETOA will never accept any lateral recruitment at levels beyond JTO/JAO.

• Existing Executives who have cleared the residency period should be promoted before execution of new RR .

• Eligibility criteria for the AGM LICE to be extended for JTO + SDE total service length completed in line with DGM LICE and the minimum residency criteria may be made more liberal for fast track mode.

• Fast track path vacancies should be Separately created. Already worked out vacancies should be used only for DPC channel.

• MSRR must ensure with 5 EPP promotions ( E2-E7) intact with increment on same scale working too as in old MS RR.

• Stringent APAR benchmarks proposed in draft has been pointed out as well as clubbing IPMS to APAR should be avoided incase APAR getting linked with EPP.

• Weightage of number of completed service year’s to be given in fast track.

• Foot note 2 must be implemented in right spirit.

• 3 months relaxation can be given for minimum years service completion on cut-off date.

• Diploma + 10 years service to be taken equivalent to engineering degree.

• All mode of recruitment to be completed in a single calendar year to avoid seniority clashes due to administrative reasons.

• Total seats must be increased on one time basis in all cadres to give sufficient career hierarchy to the executives at all levels and to prevent them from stagnating in the cadre for long.

• Weightage for higher qualification must be given.

MS RR Committee Chairman Sh. R K Goyal noted all points and told us to submit the inputs as soon as possible and he assured to discuss the inputs thereafter in the committee and to be incorporated up to best possible extent . We told that since this is the first deliberation with the committee, we shall be conveying the management view points to the various stake holders, take their feedback and thereafter we will submit our feedback and for that we need some more time. Committee requested us to expedite the formal inputs. AIGETOA shall be discussing the points of the deliberations with the internal committee formed for the purpose and after detailed deliberations, the draft by AIGETOA shall be submitted probably by next week

Apart from the above points, following points were also raised to resolve before new MS RR :

1] SDE Reversal Case.

2] Promotion for all eligible SDEs to AGM & AO to CAO.

3] Promotion of left out JTOs to SDEs.

4] Promotion to PWD candidates in line with the recently issues DoP&T guidelines.