GS writes to Shri P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL:

Total failure of cluster maintenance contract for landline and BB connections. Very poor maintenance resulted large scale surrender of landline & BB connections (about 1 lakh per month) – urgent need for review and re-working on the tender reg:

After one year, it is established that the new exercise was a total failure in many ways:

i) Tens of thousands of landline and BB connections are closing every month due to poor maintenance, making huge financial loss to the company,

ii) Practically no maintenance taking place in many clusters but vendor got uninterrupted payment due to the loopholes in the tender,

iii) The rate was exorbitantly high, almost 3 times, comparing to the expenditure incurred per line during previous years.

If the present cluster maintenance contract is continued, it is sure that in another 2 to 3 years time, our cable network will be collapsed and entire landlines will be closed. If top BSNL management intention is to close down CFA segment with landline and Broad Band business, it can continue with the present cluster system. Otherwise, it is to be reviewed and re-worked considering the shortcomings observed in the field units while operating the tender. For that top BSNL management has to listen to the CGMs, SSA Heads and the Executives working in the field units. Instead of silencing them, BSNLCO has to inject confidence in them to speak out the truth and ground realities. Otherwise top Management and CGMs has to take responsibility, why landlines and BB connections are closing so rapidly, almost 1 lakh per month, seriously impacting BSNL revenue. 

AUAB meeting on 21.06.2021:

All the major Assns and Unions participated in the AUAB meeting (SNEA, BSNLEU, NFTE, AIGETOA, AIBSNLEA, SEWA BSNL, FNTO, BSNLMS, BSNLATM, TEPU, BSNLOA).

AUAB meeting discussed the following burning issues: 1) Abnormal delay in launching of 4G services, 2) Salary payment, 3) Huge payments pending from DoT, 4) Total failure of cluster system resulting in massive surrendering of landline and BB connections, 5) Tardy progress in Land monetization and clearing the debts, 6) Neglect of Transmission network deterioration of Backhaul, 7) 2^nd PRC pending issues, 8) 3^rd PRC, 9) Excess payment of Pension contribution. 

AUAB meeting decided for immediate protest actions demanding salary payment.

On 25.06.2021 protest demonstration will be done at all levels.

On 30.06.2021, meeting with CMD, CGMs and SSA heads demanding salary payment on the last working day. GSs, CSs and SSA/Dist Secretaries will present the memorandum at their respective levels.

AUAB meeting will be held at New Delhi on 01.07.21 to finalise the charter of demands, focusing on BSNL revival and program of action. 

Kamgar Ekta Committee is conducting a series of online discussions on various topics. Todays topic is:

OPPOSE THE CENTRAL GOVT’S POLICY TO FAVOUR PRIVATE TELECOM COMPANIES AT THE EXPENSE OF BSNL.

GS, SNEA is one of speakers.

Join at 20.06.2021 at 18.00 PM onwards.

Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87904110504?pwd=bWhHM3dxQXJIZU1oY3Yxa0srcjcvZz09

Zoom Meeting Id: 87904110504, Passcode: 200621

AUAB meeting to discuss various issues like 4G launching, salary, land monetization etc postponed from 19.06.21 to 20.06.21

GS writes to Shri P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL:

Grant of all the benefits under CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 to the 1999 recruitment TTAs working in BSNL in accordance to Various O.M.(s) as issued by GoI, Ministry of Personnel, DoP&PW for whom rect made by DoT – reminder:

View Corporate office Order:

Prohibition on bringing any political or outside influence to further employees interest in respect of matters pertaining to employment, postings or transfers in BSNL - reg.

Meeting with Shri P K Purwar, CMD/BSNL on 15.06.2021:

GS, President and AGS met CMD/BSNL and held discussions on the following subjects:

a) Launching of 4G services:

On 4G tender, CMD informed that go ahead not received from the higher ups so far. The matter has been discussed at the highest level in the Govt. BSNL is ready with the tender but unless and until Govt gives clearance, tender cannot be processed further, CMD informed. For upgradation and Add on order also, there is no green signal from Govt so far. On EoI, few shown interest.

This gives a clear picture that 4G launching is not going to take place in the near future. BSNL Revival will be only on paper as a Cabinet decision. We sounded AUAB in this regard and interacting with all to have serious deliberations on the future of BSNL, this week itself.

b) Promotions in different cadres:

We expressed our strong resentment over the inordinate delay for promotions in all the cadres. Last promotion orders issued in June, 2018, 3 years back. After VRS, huge vaccum is there in almost all the cadres. Eligible Executives are losing the promotion and precious service, which will affect their future promotions.  CMD explained that promotions can be made only after completion of restructuring exercise which is going on. Once restructuring is completed, promotions can be considered based on Reservation issue and the seniority issues. If disputes are there with respect to Reservation and seniority in any cadre, promotion order may not be able to issue till the dispute is settled, CMD informed categorically.

[During last MV in August 2020, present Recognised Assn given assurances that JTO to SDE promotions will be made in 1 month and remaining promotions in 2 to 3 months. But even after nine months, not a single promotion order issued in any cadre.

It became crystal clear that promotion is not happening due to 1) pending restructuring process, 2) Reservation issue and 3) Seniority disputes as we reported earlier. The propaganda made every month about promotion order by them is not having any base other than an eye wash.

Unless and until we are coming out of these 3 issues, it will be very difficult to get promotions and the best alternative is already worked out as Time Bound promotion. Instead of demanding post based promotion for limited Executives and allowed management to divide the Executives on promotion issue, if they also supported our demand for implementation of the Board approved Time Bound promotion policy w.e.f. 01.07.2018, thousands of Execuitves would have got promotion long back. We had the opportunity to get uninterrupted promotions. Three years is more than sufficient for any Assn to study the ground realities and take appropriate stand. We hope in the  changing scenario, all will join hands to clear the mess and work for switching over to Time Bound promotion or CPSU Cadre Hierarchy approved by the Board.

SEWA BSNL also may reconsider their strategy as JTOs completed more than 20 yrs of service and belongs to SC/ST category are waiting for their first promotion. Is it a fast track promotion?]

c) Restructuring and Man power plan:

CMD informed that Restructuring is almost completed from management side. According to the proposal, the sanctioned post for each wing is fixed at working strength plus 10% to 12% of the working strength. In nutshell, the total posts in each stream may come down by 55% to 60% (only 40% to 42% of the present posts will remain as we fear). The finalized proposal will be discussed with the Unions and Assns once. If understanding can be reached on this, it will be taken to the BSNL Board for approval by the 2^nd half of July. The details are yet to be shared with us.

[What is the stand taken by the Recognised Assn during last few crucial months on this critical issue of post reduction is not known. Are they agreeing to this drastic reduction? SNEA was continuously opposing the revised norms and demanding reasonable norms to have sufficient posts for promotions.

Assns demanding post based DPC promotion on one side and allowing drastic cut in the posts. How the career of the Executives will be taken care by this, future will tell us]. 

d) Land Monetization:

It is informed that there is not much headway on this issue. Continuous efforts are going on. It is not clear whether the recent SPV formed by the Govt for monetization of various land assets of Govt/PSUs will deal with the land monetization of BSNL & MTNL also or DIPAM will continue to do for BSNL & MTNL lands:

e) Pending HR issues like standard pay scales, pay loss, SAB etc:

After preliminary discussions on these important issues, CMD told to us have further discussion with DIR(HR). Agenda meeting with DIR(HR) (postponed due to Covid) is scheduled for next week.

f) Salary payment, payment of recoveries made from the salary:

According to CMD, the salary will be delayed due to the reduction in the collections during last two months. This month collection is 450 Cr only. After statutory payments and some OPEX payments, cash balance is very much limited. We demanded that salary payment should be rescheduled to the last day of each month.

We requested to make the payments towards EPF, GPC, Banks, SAB, Pension contribution etc current. CMD informed that except SAB contribution and Pension contribution(prior to Jan 2020), remaining payments made. Since SAB payment is very important and cumulative loss will happen to the employees, we requested to clear it at the earliest.

Time-limit for submission of claims for Traveling Allowance (TA) on Retirement - MoF instructions.

GS writes to Shri P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL:

Various HR issues of the Executives kept pending in the name of financial crisis and waiting for Revival of BSNL are to be settled without further delay. Non launching of 4G services and delay in land monetization are the major reasons for Non Revival of BSNL for which Executives cannot be held responsible. As witnessing today, neglecting Human Resources and genuine issues of the Executives have serious adverse impact on the growth of the company as they are highly demoralized. Large number of Executives recruited as JTO/JAOs left BSNL as they find no future in BSNL (career progression as well as a reasonable pay) due to the poor handling of HR issues.

1. DoT approval for standard Pay scales of E2 and E3 w.e.f. 01.07.2007, replacing the intermediary pay scale of E1A and E2A as recommended by BSNL on 06.06.2016:

2. Enhancement of Super Annuation Benefits (SAB) Contribution to full 30%:

3. Settle the pay loss issue with Rs 22820/- as starting basic for the 2007 to 2010 batch JTO/JAOs who recruited in pre-revised E1A scale. Till that time pre-revised E1A scale may be allowed for addressing the Pay loss:

4.  Extend E1+5 increments for the post 2010 rect JTO/JAOs till E2 scale is settled:

5. Extend E1A and E2A scale notionally w.e.f. 01.10.2000 for the JTO/SDE in Civil/Electrical/Arch/TF/PA/PS etc streams as approved by the MC of BSNL Board:

6. Revise Transport Allowance, Travelling Allowances, Tuition Fee reimbursement etc in line with the recommendations of 2nd & 3rd PRC and 7th CPC:

7. Extend medical facilities without voucher for Out Door treatment:

8. Executive Health Checkup for all the Executives:

9. Restoration of All India LTC and similar benefits extended to Group A Officers working in BSNL: 

Meeting with Shri A M Gupta, Sr GM (Admn):

GS met Sr GM(A) today and held discussions on the following issues:

1. Medical Insurance Policy for the BSNL employees;

We demanded that all types of treatment should be covered in the policy without capping for treatment under specific heads like medicine, surgery, diagnosis etc. In the case of 5 lakhs policy, the facility to get the coverage upto 10 lakhs without paying additional premium through the Corporate buffer also to be insisted.

Sr GM informed that discussion is going on with the four PSUs in this regard. BSNL is working to call the quotations from all of them shortly. We requested to expedite the process.

We demanded that the premium for the employees opting for the Medical Insurance Policy in lieu of BSNL MRS shall be paid by the management.

2. Service FTTH connections:

We had discussions on the existing FTTH schemes and the concessions extended to the Executives for BB connections. Earlier we had submitted our inputs and various orders on the subject. After deliberations Sr GM assured to expedite the process and complete the formalities and submit the committee recommendations to the management shortly.

GS writes to Shri P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL:

Payment of Salary to the BSNL Executives and other Employees on the last working day of each month as Employees are fully depends on the salary for the daily needs. Salary is paid from the internal resources and it is just 1/3rd of the monthly collection.

Unfortunately management did not take this issue seriously as observed in the case of other Human Resources related issues. At the time of VRS, it was assured to the employees by the management as well as the Govt that once VRS is successful, salary payment will become regular and BSNL Revival will be very much possible through the Revival package. Now, no one is talking about the Revival package and the important decisions of the Union Cabinet dated 23.10.2019 for launching 4G services and land monetization which is not happened so far. Last 19 months developments established that Govt is not much keen on BSNL Revival. Govt and the BSNL management miserably failed in the process of Revival of BSNL. The employees cannot be punished for the failure of the Govt and management. 

Instead of creating industrial unrest, it is once again  requested to accord priority to Salary payment to the employees on the last working day of the month by simply  rescheduling other payments by one or two weeks.