Shri Ravindra Himte Ji, General Secretary, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in a letter marked to Hon’ble Minister of Communication Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia Ji with copy marked to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji has strongly taken up the issues plaguing BSNL including the HR issues and has requested for intervention of PM and MoC in setting right these issues and for fixing up the responsibility.
GS BMS has also requested for intervention in directing BSNL management to clear the long pending HR issues of Pay, Pension and Promotions and to ensure a proper career hierarchy to the executives of BSNL instead of making BSNL employees subject to another move of VRS which is completely uncalled for as on date, especially in view of the government’s claim that BSNL is back on to the path of revival and profitability.
BMS has emphasized that this sudden talk of one more VRS for BSNL employees and that too without consulting any of the associations and unions was the last thing expected at this juncture. The best thing that should have been done today was to direct BSNL to clear the long pending HR issues of Pay, Promotion, Pension and 3rd PRC as a reward for the sincere approach of employees in carrying forward the organization from a state of peril to a state of growth and development.
In the Letter, GS BMS has categorically stated that if the benefits of the series of revival packages are not being reaped on by BSNL Management, the failure is only on the part of management and the officers dealing with the policies pertaining to BSNL. The failure to implement a smooth and hassle free indigenous 4G mobile network and the failure to give a seamless network experience to BSNL customers should not be covered in the guise of floating another VRS scheme and instead responsibility should be fixed for BSNL management, DoT and the Vendors for their failure to provide a seamless experience to BSNL customers from the Swadeshi Mobile Network and not fixing up the problems arising out in the core and the network components.
BMS has highlighted that the root cause of BSNL failure to provide good services is its flawed outsourcing model. The outsourcing model in BSNL has never been implemented properly and can never be implemented in future due to various inherent issues. Comparing BSNL with other private operators is completely uncalled for as the eco system in which BSNL is placed does not provides it with a level playing field. The revenue Vs Employee Expenditure should not be brought into picture as Private Operators are not giving services in loss making areas nor they are doing anything for the Swadeshi Mobile Network development. Can the ambitious projects of 4G saturation and Swadeshi Mobile Network take shape with outsourcing model. Such type of difficult projects can only be executed by the employees of BSNL and they have been doing their job with utmost perfection. Hence BSNL instead of going for outsourcing model should start fresh recruitment in JE, JTO and JAO cadres. Similarly, promotions pending across various grades and streams must be executed now. Its highly discouraging that in BSNL, one group is getting the benefits of pay and perks of 7th CPC while the own BSNL employees are not getting even the benefits of 2nd PRC and the perks/allowances are being given on 1st PRC rates. The employees of BSNL are doing their job with utmost sincerity and its high time now that they should be rewarded with the benefits of Pay, Promotion, Pension and 3rd PRC.
Even the Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) ( 2024-25) in its 6th report on the subject (Examination of BSNL overall performance including HR issues) which was presented to the Eighteenth Lok Sabha on 18th December 2024 has stated in its recommendations that BSNL must address the disparities in the Pay Structure between ITS and BSNL employees, harmonizing pay structure by Aligning them with 7th Pay Commission Standards, enhancing Superannuation Benefit Contribution for BSNL Recruits , Pushing for Implementation of 3rd PRC, proper retirement security to BSNL employees, Regular Promotions and Clear Career Development Pathways are essential to address the stagnation, while expanding medical coverage and Post- Retirement Benefits would improve overall employee welfare. In the crux, COPU has summarized that BSNL should reconsider their HR policy to address the disparity amongst BSNL employees.
BMS has categorically opposed the move of BSNL Management which has followed the contrary approach by approving the VRS instead of streamlining the HR policy and addressing the disparity.
BMS has raked up the precarious scenario of HR in BSNL that most of the executives having qualifications ranging from M Tech, B tech, Engineering Diploma, Charted Accountants, Cost and Management Accountants (ICWAs), MBAs, MSCs, M COMs, LLB etc. have got only one promotion in their entire career span which goes as high as 24-25 years. No PSU does this type of treatment to its working lot but BSNL management considers themselves as different and are taking no efforts to end this injustice.
Shri Himte Ji has sought intervention of Hon’ble PM and Hon’ble MoC in not only setting right the Network and operational issues but also for settling the demands of BSNL employees has also been recommended by Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) (2024-25) in their report presented before the 18th Lok Sabha.
GS BMS Shri Himte Ji has requested to implement the following demands and else it may result in huge unrest:
- Implement 3rd PRC for the employees of BSNL.
- Implement the 2nd PRC recommendation of 30 percent Superannuation Contribution to BSNL Recruited employees.
- Implement the 2nd PRC Recommendation of extending E2 to JTO/JAO Equivalent Grades and E3 to SDE/AO Equivalent Grades.
- Aligning the perks and allowances at Par with the 7th CPC standards as being given to the DoT officers on deputation in BSNL and ending the disparity amongst employees within BSNL.
- Direct Management to execute the Proposal for the promotions of all eligible executives in the cadre of SDE to AGM, AGM to DGM immediately.
- Direct Management to ensure the promotions in Finance stream for the JAOs to AOs and AOs to CAOs immediately.
- Initiate Fresh recruitment in the cadre of JE, JTO and JAOs instead of going for outsourcing model.
AIGETOA extends its thanks and gratitude to GS BMS for taking up the issue at the highest level. We are very sure that the HR issues of BSNL employees and the disparity within the BSNL organization in terms of Pay, Pension and Promotion and the same shall be given utmost priority by Government now. AIGETOA has also raised its objection to Management on VRS and had sought the attention of management in settling the HR issues in line with the recommendation of the COPU.