Sports Board meeting was held on 19th April 2023 by BSNL. The meeting was attended by the Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh, CS Uttarakhand on behalf of AIGETOA. General Secretary of AIGETOA Shri Pavan Akhand is the board member of the sports board as GS of the only Recognized Representative Association of BSNL. The meeting started with the Welcome of Director HR Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, the vice chairman of BSNL Sports and Cultural Board. Thereafter, the welcome speech was given by GM Admin Shri S P Singh who welcomed all the participants of the meeting.

The meeting started with a brief introduction of all the participants of Association/Union and the members of different Circle boards across the country.

The meeting started with review of the minutes of last sports board meeting and their implementation along with presentation of the audited accounts from last board meeting till date.

All the points which were taken by the AIGETOA was appreciated by the management side and most of them were agreed and resolved in the meeting itself. The agenda points were submitted well in advance by AIGETOA and accordingly, a detailed and informed deliberation took place on all the points. Such serious discussion on issues related to sports and sports person has not taken place for years and after raising the issue by AIGETOA in the last agenda meeting on February, this meeting has finally been convened.

The point wise discussion of agenda is as below :

1] The Team participating in the national/national level tournament must be accompanied by the manager and coach :

The panel of coach for the year 2023-25 is already called by the BSNL CO and another person will mandatory accompany the team as manager. This was categorically agreed by management.

2] Issue of letter for participation in National/National level tournament well in time :

Agreed by the management side. They will issue the order for participation well in time.

3] For Recruitment of sports person in backlog vacancies :

Director HR said that the recruitment is not possible as of now but will resume when financial condition of BSNL Improves.

4] Many times services of Sports person/ Technical delegate/Coach/Manager are called by various sports federation for rendering their service in various National/International Tournaments, in all such cases permission must be given well in advance as per the existing DOPT guidelines :

Management assures to look after all these cases and will issue the order well in time.

5] It is seen some times that the specific sports guideline is not available with us, so in all such cases DOPT on sports must be followed in true spirit :

Management side told that if any guidelines or a particular case is there, the same may be brought to the notice of management and they will try to implement all such DoPT orders in BSNL.

6] In the Composition of Circle Sports and cultural Board the inclusion of member from recognized representative association is missing. Kindly make changes and inclusion in the composition of Circle Sports and cultural Board :

Management agreed to include the name and necessary instructions shall be passed down the line.

7] The Norms for sanction of sports Grants for AIBSNL Tournaments must be revised. The revision in rates of items is required :

Agreed by the management and revised rates as decided in the meeting will reflect in MoM.

The detailed discussion also took place on the new sports compendium, TA/DA, KIT money, of the sports person, rules, regulations and team nomenclature as per the updated federation guidelines, changes in the instrument categories in Cultural activities. Suggestion was given by the association to keep the new compendium in abeyance till modification takes place after having the detailed discussion and feed back from the recognized association. Director HR however stated that since the new compendium is approved by the competent authority, it will not be prudent to keep it in abeyance but it was agreed for review of the sports compendium, TA DA rates KIT money after taking members in review committee and feedback from association.

Director HR also agreed for the promotion of sports recruited person to the level of executive after getting medals at international level.

It was also assured by the Director HR that this year sports meet will be conducted well in time.

Vote of thanks was given by Jt. GM Shri Mayank Mishra. A momento was also presented to all the participants of the sports board meeting by Director HR. The meeting ended with a group photograph.

The revised rates as per point 7 is as below:

Today Team AIGETOA comprising of Sh Pavan Akhand GS, Sh Veerbhadra Rao AIP, Sh Ravi Shil Verma AIC, Sh Amit Roy JS North, and Sh Sunil Gautam AGS met Shri Ravindra Himte Ji General Secretary BMS at their national headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi. Shri R C Pandey, GS BTEU, Shri Sanjay Tyagi FS, TOA and Shri Manoj, AGS BTEU were also present in the meeting. The team discussed about various issues related to BSNL including a brief discussion on the pending HR issues and 3rd PRC to BSNL Executives. We exchanged our views on the upliftment of BSNL as well as growth of basic cadre of JTO & equivalent. He appreciated our vision and assured all out support of BMS to AIGETOA for all BSNL related issues and for ensuring the resolution of our long pending HR issues and for highlighting and precipitating the same at appropriate platforms.

Team Further met Dr Deependra Chahar, Secretary of the BMS state Chapter Delhi and had discussions on the vision and mission of BMS and how they are promoting the young generation to fight for their rights. He assured his firm support on the endeavors being taken by AIGETOA for the betterment of cadre and BSNL. He stated firmly that BMS Delhi will extend its full cooperation to AIGETOA for the resolution of issues pertaining to BSNL employees.

It will be worth mentioning that with firm support of BMS, AIGETOA’s efforts to resolve the pending HR issues including the Pay and Pension related issues will definitely get a big impetus.

Click here for Glimpses of Meeting

The letter for mapping of Rajasthan Circle to ALTTC Ghaziabad instead of RTTC Jabalpur has been issued by Restructuring Cell, BSNL CO, New Delhi.

The issue was strongly taken up by AIGETOA after receipt of requests from executives of Rajasthan.

Click here for the letter

Discussions were held with PGM SR on the issues related to immunity modification of the recognized Associations/Unions and support Associations. Discussion on points submitted jointly by all the three associations were also held. SR cell shall be examining the inputs submitted by association for further consideration. In the meanwhile, the date of entry in SAP portal for the facility of immunity from the transfer to the recognized Associations/Unions and support Associations has been extended upto 30.04.2023.

Previously the last date for entry was 31.03.2023 which is further extended to 30.04.2023.

Orders in this regard are expected to be issued on day after tomorrow.

AIGETOA CHQ writes to CMD BSNL for extension of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 to the TTAs appointed in BSNL for the Vacancy/Recruitment/Notification pertains to Govt. of India in line with the latest GOI, DoP&PW OM on 3.3.2023.

Click here for letter

As assured to AIGETOA by Hon’ble CMD BSNL in the meeting dated 21st March 2023, it is understood that the modified SDE RRs are being placed for approval in BSNL Board Meeting to be held tentatively this week. With this approval, path for the Promotions of the left out JTOs of 2008 batch will be cleared and hopefully the promotions will be issued soon. In the meeting, Team AIGETOA has emphasized upon starting the exercise for subsequent batches also and we will ensure that the DPC promotion process for the subsequent batches and LDCE notification for the eligible batches are also completed immediately thereafter.

Dear Friends,

In an MA filed by AIGETOA and it’s members at PCAT on 14th March 2023, Hon’ble Court has directed BSNL not to fill up the vacancies of Management Trainees without obtaining prior permission of the court.

We have firm expectations from the court case filed on MT process and it seems Hon’ble court is also aware of the merit in the process and accordingly provided relief to AIGETOA and it’s member applicants.

Friends, we apologize for the delayed information in this regard but keeping in view the criticality of the matter and the complexities of the court proceedings, we decided to wait for final written orders from Hon’ble Court.

Opposite side tried it’s best till last hour but couldn’t succeed.

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.

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.

It is understood that the stay issued by the Hon’ble Principal CAT at New Delhi, for declaring the results of the Special JTO LICE, has been vacated today. Hence, results of the Special JTO LICE are expected to be declared within a day or two.