GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL, requesting the implementation of reservation in promotions for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs) in the cadres of SDE to AGM and the issuance of promotion orders for all the eligible candidates.
Despite previous reminders and references to relevant orders and guidelines, BSNL has not initiated the promotion process for eligible PwBDs. AIGETOA again highlighted that there are 85 eligible PwBD executives in the cadre of SDE who have been awaiting promotion since 2013.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates reservation in promotions for PwBDs, and the BSNL MSRR, which outline the eligibility criteria for promotion to the AGM cadre. Also in a recent Hon’ble Supreme Court order in a contempt petition, where the Court directed the respondents to consider giving notional promotions to eligible candidates from an earlier date.
Additionally, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued guidelines for providing reservation in promotions to PwBD employees, including the creation of supernumerary posts. The Hon’ble PCAT has also directed BSNL to implement reservation in promotions for PwBDs and promote eligible SDEs to AGMs within a specified timeframe.
The Association has expressed concern over BSNL’s delay in implementing these directions, stating that it will only lead to more legal complexities. AIGETOA requested the CMD to intervene and ensure that reservation in promotions for PwBDs is implemented as per the DoPT guidelines, promoting all 85 eligible PwBDs from SDE to AGM.
We highlighted a recent order by the Department of Posts, which clarifies the procedure for computing the number of vacancies reserved for PwBDs. The Association has urged BSNL to consider all eligible PwBD employees for promotion on a notional basis, as per the DoPT OM dated 28th December 2023.