Team AIGETOA meets authorities at EPFO New Delhi for update on higher pension option:

Today Team AIGETOA consisting of AIC shri Ravi Shil Verma, FS Shri Badri Kumar Mehta and AGS Shri Vivek Kumar Singh went to meet EPF authorities at the EPFO office. BSNL representative was also present along with us. Team had an elaborate discussion with the EPFO officers including the head of the pension department. It is understood that EPFO is shortly going to issue instructions with regard to the higher pension options calling from all those EPF subscribers who have been appointed before 2014 and whose EPF subscription has been deducted on Full Basic and DA. The process is likely to be captured through UAN portal.

However since the option window will be a smaller one, BSNL needs to remain in a state of preparedness to process the options in shortest possible time. Accordingly the Team AIGETOA consisting of AIC, FS, CS Delhi and CS Haryana met Sr GM (CA), BSNL CO and informed about the discussions with EPF authorities. Sr GM (CA) appreciated our concern and told that since clarity is now that EPFO are issuing the orders, all efforts shall be taken to ensure that there is no delay on the part of BSNL in processing all such option cases. He told that he will direct his team to discuss with AIGETOA team and finalize the plan of action in line with what other CPSUs have done. He told us to share the inputs with regard to action taken by other CPSUs. He assured us that the necessary instructions shall be issued without any delay and told is to work in close coordination with his team and finalize the action program. Our team shall be sitting with CA team next week to finalize the action plan in this regard and all the associated FAQs

Update on EPF Higher Pension

Team AIGETOA held meeting with Sr. GM(CA) today and requested for taking necessary action regarding calling option for higher epf pension in pursuance to Supreme Court jugement.

It was intimated that a letter is being issued in pursuance to EPFO Circular dated 29th December 2022 for retired employees covered under EPF Act.

A meeting is to be scheduled with EPFO very soon for taking further necessary action in respect of working employees.

Inauguration & Unveiling of AIGETOA Calendar 2023 & Updates on Meeting

Team AIGETOA meets CMD BSNL, Member (Services) DoT, all the BSNL board of directors for inauguration and unveiling of AIGETOA 2023 Calendar.

AIGETOA Calendars for the year 2023 was inaugurated and unveiled by Member Services, CMD BSNL, Director HR, Director Finance, Director CM, Director CFA, Director EB, CVO and also the calendar was presented to DoT Dy. Director(PSU).

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On behalf of AIGETOA CHQ, we exchanged greetings with various dignitaries for the new year 2023 and extended thanks to them for sparing their time for inaugurating the new year 2023 AIGETOA calendar.

Further with Member Services, we had detailed discussion on the clearance of pending proposal of E2 and E3 standard pay scales. Member Services assured is of his intervention and a tripartite meeting shall be arranged with BSNL HR grp, DOT representatives and Association representatives. We also requested for clearing the SDE RR proposal also as JTO to SDE promotions are pending for the want of approval from DoT. We once again shared our apprehensions with regard to MSRR proposal by BSNL Board and requested for intervention of DoT in settling the things in right perspective and in the best interest of all.

With CMD and all other directors also, we have conveyed our apprehensions with respect to MSRR and informed him that forceful implementation without taking care of the genuine aspirations and apprehensions of executives will neither be in the interest of BSNL nor executives.

Friends, We have held a series of meetings with all the Directors of BSNL Board and CMD BSNL where in we have shared that current proposal is restricting the career growth of all the executives and every one is in a state of unrest, demotivation and confusion because of the uncertainty associated with the career prospects of all. We had a discussion with respect to stagnation criteria also.

CMD BSNL has assured that there is nothing to remain apprehensive about and drawbacks, if any shall also be looked into in next course of time. He told us to come back for discussion after few days, stating that he remains open for all discussions and is willing to extend consideration of the genuine submissions. Reversal issue, issue of promotions of Left Out JTOs, issue of PWD promotions, introduction of stagnation criteria in SDE to AGM promotions, creation of additional posts for Fast Track Policy etc. are some of the major points on which we need immediate resolution.

AIGETOA Team is on job and shortly we shall be taking the next call. Despite of assurances, now it remains for us to decide on the way forward.

We have to decide our next course, by considering the all aspects and in the best interest of the executives spread across various cadres and streams.

New Year is coming and let us all wish that coming new year 2023 takes care of all our problems pertaining to Pay, Promotion and Pension.

Special PM Pilot Proposal for Rolling out of 5 Lakhs Broadband connections in the Rural Areas in various States

Department of Telecom conveys it’s approval for placing order for rolling out of 5 lakh Broadband connections to BSNL as a part of special PM Pilot Project.

AIGETOA extends its thanks to Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Hon’ble MoC Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji for their faith in BSNL. We are also grateful to Secretary DoT and other DoT officials for the opportunity given to BSNL for this.

We also extend our heartful thanks to our Hon’ble CMD and Board of Directors, whose efforts in this regard has ensured this prestigious project to BSNL.

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6th Circle Conference of AIGETOA Kerala on 17th Dec 2022

The 6th Circle Conference of BSNL Executive’s Recognised Majority Association – All India Graduate Engineers and Telecom Officers Association, Kerala Circle Unit was inaugurated by Kerala Circle Chief General Manager Sh B Sunil Kumar at P G S Vedanta Ernakulam. The program commenced with the Official Flag Hoisting by AIGETOA Circle President Sh Muhammadali. The function was presided over by Sh Muhammad Ali M C, Circle President , The theme of Open session was – ” Role of Management and Employees in BSNL 2.0″. Sh S Saheer Circle Secretary AIGETOA Kerala delivered the Insights on the Open Session Topic . Elaborate Speeches/ Deliberations was made highlighting the Opportunities and Challenges that are to be handled by employees in the new phase of BSNL which is on a Revival spree. Distinguished Guests Sh B Sunilkumar ITS (Chief General Manager, BSNL Kerala), Shri K. Francis Jacob ITS (Principal General Manager, Ernakulam), Sh Surendran V ITS (Principal General Manager, CM -NWO Kerala), Sh AK Mishra ITS (Principal General Manager, CM-NWP, Kerala), Sh R Satesh (General Manager – HR Kerala), Sh NK Sukumaran (Senior General Manager – CNTx-South, Kerala), Sh G N Howal ITS (General Manager Kottayam), Sh Rajeev SK (General Manager, Kannur), Sh Colin Lawrence (General Manager, Malappuram), Sh Veerabhadra Rao (All India President AIGETOA CHQ), Sh Ravisheel Verma, (All India Chairman AIGETOA CHQ), Sh P N Sharma (All India Convener AIGETOA CHQ), Sh S Suresh, (Joint Secretary South, AIGETOA CHQ) , Shri Senthil Kumar, Chairman AIGETOA Tamil Nadu, Sh S Rajaneesh, Circle Secretary, SEWA Kerala Unit. The meeting was attended by Collegium Members, Office bearers, and other delegates of AIGETOA Kerala.

During the Circle Conference Event, AIGETOA Kerala Diary and Calendar 2023 was formally published by Sh B Sunilkumar ITS (Chief General Manager, BSNL Kerala).

In Afternoon session Sh S Saheer Circle Secretary AIGETOA Kerala presented the Working Report and Shri Maxmillan K Circle Finance Secretary AIGETOA Kerala presented the Financial Report and the house unanimously accepted the reports . Subsequently the existing Circle body was dissolved by Circle president Sh Muhammadali and the house was handed over to Returning Officer Shri Jose Paul and Asst Returning Officer Sh Bijeesh KP , CHQ Observer was Sh S Suresh, (Joint Secretary South, AIGETOA CHQ).

The house unanimously selected the following as Circle Office bearers of AIGETOA Kerala for the term 2022-2025. Circle President – Sh Muhammadali M C

Circle Secretary – Sh Maxmilan K

Circle Finance Secretary – Sh Pramodh K J

Circle Vice President 1 – Sh Anil Kani

Circle Vice President 2 – Sh Prajeesh P

Asst Circle Secretary 1 – Sh Abdul Basith P K

Asst Circle Secretary 2 – Sh Dipu Chandran

Asst Circle Secretary 3 – Sh Vipal Prem

Asst Circle Secretary 4 – Sh Cijo P Joseph

Asst Circle Secretary 5 – Sh Anoop Das

Asst Circle Secretary 6 – Sh Sambhu Chandran

The new body took oath from Returning Officer Shri Jose Paul. The vote of thanks of the event was delivered by New CFS Sri. Pramodh K J , And the Circle conference was concluded by around 6.30 pm.

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Update of Discussion of Forum of Associations leaders on draft MSRR:

Yesterday, Leaders from Forum of All Associations of BSNL met all the committee members including chairman of the Committee Shri R K Goyal, PGM Estt Shri Saurabh Tyagi, GM Pers Shri S N Gupta and PGM SR Ms Anita Johari. The leaders apprised them of the underlying apprehensions and objections on the proposed MSRR draft. This was done as a follow up of the meeting with CMD BSNL. We also met Director Finance Sh Rajeev Kumar and apprised him about the concern.

Thereafter, today the team met Director HR and discussed on the points. This was the second meeting with the Director HR on the issue. We have categorically informed all concerned that without taking care of the existing eligible executives, any changes in existing MSRR will result into huge dissatisfaction. We requested them to postpone the ammendment in MSRR to 1st April 2023 and use the period for extending promotions to all eligible executives who have completed their residency period and addressing the concerns raised by us by way of mutual discussions. We again emphasized that none of the association are against meritocracy and we only are opposing the cutoff date and want a smooth transition to the next MSRR regime which can only be ensured by taking care of promotions of all eligible by extending the date of implementing the ammendments in MSRR to 1st April 2023 and addressing the concerns raised by various stakeholders during this period. Director HR assured to look into the concerns raised by all the associations including the matter of extending date of implementing the amendments to 1st April 2023.

We hereby assure one and all that associations are fully committed to protect the rights of all and will ensure that promotions of all eligible executives including those who will become eligible on 1st January 2023 are done. Further we are also committed to ensure that the concerns raised by various stakeholders are taken into consideration and resolved to the satisfaction of all.

With Warm Regards

Forum of Associations of BSNL

Meeting of Forum of BSNL Associations (AIGETOA, SNEA, SEWA & AIBSNLEA) with CMD BSNL on draft MSRR 2023:

The meeting of leaders from Forum of Associations of BSNL was held with CMD BSNL. Discussion on apprehensions related to amendment of MSRR 2023 took place with CMD BSNL. CMD BSNL welcomed all the participants and informed about the view of management with respect to the proposed changes in the MSRR 2023 and his vision to move organization towards a meritocracy. CMD BSNL further told leaders to share the apprehensions on the proposed MSRR draft.

Forum leaders expressed that none of the association is against introduction of meritocracy but the change over should be gradual and should not be done in a haste. We are apprehensive that such hasty implementation will result into complete mess where all the future promotions shall be marred with litigations. We firmly shared our view that any changes in MSRR should only be done after executing the promotions of all eligible candidates who have completed their residency period in the grade and also those who are about to complete their residency on 1st January 2023. It is very clear that proposed MSRR 2023 completely blocks the career progression of already eligible executives who have already served in organization for so long and now when their promotion is due, we will be making them devoid of promotions by bringing a new MSRR. We informed CMD BSNL that this will not go down well with executives and in view of the DOPT provisions, even this will not stand the test of law. We expressed firmly that first management should promote all the eligible executives across various streams and grades to next grade before moving on to the new regime. We demanded promotions to all eligible executives including AGM Equivalent to DGM Equivalent grade in all streams (Telecom, Finance, Civil, Electrical, TF and Architecture), SDE to AGM Promotions including List 12 and 13 in Telecom Stream, AO to CAO in finance stream, SDE to EE in Civil stream, JTO to SDE SCF/LDCE in Telecom Stream. We also highlighted that committee should have representatives of all stakeholders and deliberations can be held thereafter once all eligible executives are promoted. Leaders also raised the pending promotions of SDE Reversal candidates, PWD Candidates and further promotions in JTO to SDE cadre. Leaders also highlighted the need for inclusion of management side representative belonging to the reserved category candidate as new MSRR will affect the careers of all executives. Leaders also highlighted that the cutoff date of implementing next MSRR should be 1st April instead of 1st January. Further leaders also told that provision should be there for meritorious candidates but before that eligible executives should be promoted to avoid any legal complications. Leaders all expressed that all existing eligible executives can be accommodated with slight tweaking, adjustment and creating extra posts because of 4G saturation, BBNL Merger and revision in restructuring norms.

CMD BSNL noted all points and told that he is open to all suggestions. He told us that after discussing with his team, he shall be reverting back on what best can be done. Further CMD BSNL assured that Calendar of DPCs and LICE/LDCE to be conducted in 2023 will be published in first week of January 2023 itself. The meeting ended on a positive note and we hope that our inputs and demands shall be taken care of before moving on to the next MSRR regime. Leaders extended their thanks to CMD BSNL and PGM SR and hoped that the inputs shall be considered in a positive and time-bound manner.

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