On 3rd Feb, 2023, Team AIGETOA Nagpur lead by Shri Ashish Jain (CP MH), Shri Sandeep Shende (DP Nagpur), Shri Praveen Kamble (DS Nagpur), Shri Vijay Modak (DT Nagpur), Shri Prafull Yenorkar ADS and Shri Rajesh Kadbe VP CNTX-Nagpur met Director HR on his visit to Nagpur BA.

Team welcomed Director HR on his visit to Nagpur BA and held a prolonged in-depth discussion with him on the following issues:

Superannuation Benefits, SAB :

Team expressed our deep concern over inadequate initiation on our SAB issues. Team apprised him of the insecurity being felt among BRs i.r.o. terminal benefits.

Director HR opined that although there has been infusion of funds from Government of India but that cannot be diverted for SAB since it is to be invested for rolling out 4G & other new services. Thus it may 2-3 years to solve this issue fully as per AIGETOA demand.

Shri Ashish Jain opined that the concerns of BRs regarding SAB should not be overlooked since it pertains to the financial welfare of dependents. Shri Sandeep Shende pointed out that the Management should look holistically over the SAB issues and stepwise actions should be initiated in that direction to win the confidence of BRs.

Director HR noted these issues and assured that necessary corrective measures will be initiated.

Increase in Medical entitlement amount in BSNLMRS :

Presently the funds allotted for BSNLMRS entitlement is for 15 days of Basic + DA. We objected that such insufficient allocation of funds may be raised to 23-25 days which will enable the executives to meet the financial expenses arising out of treatment of aged parents & dependents.

Director HR appreciated our initiative in this regard and made a note of it and assured that this matter will be resolved soon.

General Term Insurance & Group Health Insurance:

We apprised Director HR that since the financial condition of BSNL is improving gradually, the Mgmt. should bear the expenses for GTI & GHI premium of employees. We reminded him that welfare measures for employees is the responsibility of the organization which they should look into.

Director HR held constructive views on this idea and stated that he empathizes the concern of AIGETOA and will do needful for this.

Post Recruitment Medical Benefits, PRMB :

The PRMB issues were also raised during the discussion. We held that the PRMB benefits should be constructive and in tune with the time, since the BRs would be financially embarrassed if SAB, pension and other post retirement issues aren’t addresses. Thus PRMB if expanded will lessen the burden of employees.

Director HR noted this issue and said he’ll study the need and necessity of PRMB and hold talks with us then. He made a note of all the genuine issues raised by us and assured that positive and constructive outcome will surely be arrived soon.

We expressed our gratitude to him for patient listening and positive attitude for resolution of genuine demands of BRs.

Click here for Glimpses of Meeting

AIGETOA-CTD, the Kolkata chapter of AIGETOA had arranged a live interactive session on its YouTube channel over EPS’95 HIGHER PENSION SCHEME. The session was held on 03.02.2023 from 07:00 pm to 09:30 pm. The event was open for all, irrespective of any association/union affiliation.

The session was organized by team AIGETOA-CTD and conducted by Shri Manish Sood and Shri Saikat Das. The whole team has replied each and every query asked by the viewers during the session.

An overwhelming response was received during the live session from a huge number of BSNL employees from different parts of the country.

AIGETOA CHQ conveys its heartfelt thanks to the Kolkata team and all the participants in that event.

Further queries, if any, may be sent to aigetoakolkata@gmail.com for suitable reply.

The YouTube video link of that session is as follows.

https://www.youtube.com/live/7qsCJZPHDlc?feature=share

AIGETOA CTD is going to arrange an online and live interactive session on EPF Higher Pension on 03.02.2023 at 7.00 pm onwards through its YouTube channel.

The event will be conducted by Shri Manish Sood, SDE/EB CTD and Shri Saikat Das, AGM/Legal CTD.

Viewers can place their queries by putting comments in the comment box, and the same will be addressed in that session.

You are earnestly requested to inform all the BSNL employees who are EPF subscribers, irrespective of association/union affiliation.

The link in this regard is as follows,

https://www.youtube.com/live/7qsCJZPHDlc?feature=share

https://youtube.com/@csaigetoactd

Please SUBSCRIBE THE CHANNEL for smooth functioning. The live streaming link will be shared tomorrow in due course of time.

BSNL CO constituted a Core Group to deal with matters relating to holding of 3rd membership verification process in the month of Sept 2023 for grant of recognition to majority association of executive employees in BSNL.

Click here for letter

BSNL CO issued orders for appointed Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for conduction of 3rd Membership Verification for electing majority representative association/s representing BSNL executives.

Click here for letter

The meeting for negotiation on GTI Premium rates was held today. LIC has finally offered the rates of Rs 11000 plus GST for 50 Lacs GTI. This rate has been derived on no profit no loss basis by taking into account the premium paid and total death claims settled by LIC till date

Association has requested for reducing the premium rates further down. However LIC is reluctant to reduce the rates any more as they have quoted the revised rates on no profit no loss basis.

The options shall be called on ESS Portal soon. Policy Shall be renewed w.e.f 1st March 2023.

BSNL CO issued the order for cancellation of motivational training for LICE JTO trainees.

The matter was strongly putup by AIGETOA CHQ Team before management and it is understood that the request of AIGETOA has been considered by management.

Click here for letter

In continuation to the meeting held on 24th Jan 2023 and submission of revised plans by LIC vide email dated 31.01.2023, a meeting of the committee members and all the stake holders of GTI scheme is prosed to be scheduled on 1st Feb 2023.

Click here for letter

BSNL CO issued the instructions & guidelines for exercising the EPF higher pension option. As the Hon’ble Supreme Court has given timeline of 4 months for submitting the option form and in anticipation of further affirmative guidelines from EPFO, the following instructions are hereby issued :

A] For employees who have retired before 01.09.2014

1] An indicative list of BSNL recruited employees(from SAP/ERP) who have retired before 01.09.2014 is attached. The eligible employees have to visit the EPFO portal for necessary validation https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.govin/memberinterface/.

2] The eligible employees have to give explicit consent in the application form for adjustment from Provident Fund to Pension Fund and if any, to re deposit the amount to the pension fund.

3] The following documents are to be provided for processing of the case:

(a) Proof of Joint option under Para 26(6) of the EPF scheme duly verified by the employer; and

(b) Proof of Joint Option under the proviso to erstwhile Para 11(3) duly verified by the employer; and

(c) Proof of remittance in Provident Fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs. 5000/Rs.6500; and

(d) Proof of remittance in Pension Fund on higher wages exceeding the prevalent wage ceiling of Rs. 5000/Rs.. 6500, if any; and

(e) Written refusal of APFC or any other higher authority of EPFO to such requests/remittance.

B] As regards employees who have retired after 01.09.2014 or are still working

1] In anticipation of affirmative guidelines in a manner similar to the employees retired before 01.09.2014 and in keeping with Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgment in CA nos. 8658-8659, all eligible serving employees/Retired employees are requested to submit the option for higher pension scheme in the form annexed to this letter.

2] The following points are to be noted by the employees :

(a) The option form in triplicate duly signed in original (hard copies) shall be submitted to the Payroll DDOs of the Concerned BAs.

(b) The joint option form shall be subject to acceptance by EPFO, as per rules.

(c) Every employee/ex-employee who had joined BSNL from any other organization in which he/she was member of EPS’ 1995 should provide complete details for each previous organization. These employees who had joined BSNL from any other organization in which he/she was member of EPS’ 1995 should add their service, in previous organization in current EPS number by filling Form 13.

(d) The option once accepted by EPFO is irrevocable at later date and no change of option will be entertained under any circumstances.

(e) The joint option form duly filled in every manner should be submitted by concerned employee/ex-employees latest by 10th February, 2023.

(f) These instructions are subject to directions/instructions of EPFO and/or decision of any court of law issued from time to time in this regard.

(g) The necessary Employer Declaration will follow.

(h) The Employees shall submit the joint option forms at the earliest without waiting for its availability in ESS. The same will be notified.

Click here for Joint Option Form along with the instructions/guidelines

BSNL CO has conveyed to CGM Training Centre that it is decided not to conduct Karmayogi training for JTO trainees as of now.

The matter was strongly putup by AIGETOA CHQ Team before management and it is understood that the request of AIGETOA has been considered by management. The letter in this regard is expected today evening or maximum by tomorrow. We advise all the trainees to concentrate on their exams and not to panic on account of this. We are following up on the issue.

Letter being issued.