ALL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF BSNL (AUAB)
Dear Comrades,
All Unions and Associations of
BSNL (AUAB), for the last few years, pursuing the issues related to the growth
of BSNL as well as the common HR issues of the BSNL employees. The DoT is
putting all the hurdles in the revival of BSNL and settlement of the issues,
inspite of the fact that, at the time of formation of BSNL, Govt declared
that the financial viability of BSNL will be fully taken care of, better career
prospects for the employees and guarantees Pensionary benefits to all. The
Govt is so indifferent towards BSNL, even on growth related issues. Govt is
creating innumerable hurdles, on each and every proposal of BSNL, practically
interfering with the day to day affairs of the company. This lethargic attitude
of the Govt compelled the employees to launch various Trade Union Programs,
including strike.
In the meeting between AUAB
and the Hon Minster of State for Communications held on 24.02.2018 and
03.12.2018, the Hon Minster was assured to settle the issues in a time bound
manner. Especially on 3rd PRC, he assured to take it to Cabinet for relaxing
the affordability clause and on 4G spectrum, he assured that will be allotted
without any delay. Again, the abnormal delays on implementation of these
assurances lead to the Indefinite Strike call from 03.12.2018. In this meeting also
Hon Minister had given specific and categorically assures about the settlement
of the issues and delinking of Pension Revision from Pay Revision.
In the discussions with
Additional Secretary (Telecom) [AS(T)], on 30.01.2019, DoT made an offer of 5% fitment
for 3rd PRC and requested AUAB to accept it considering the present financial
crisis. Further AS(T) said that in that case, pay revision also will be placed
for the approval of the Digital Commission meeting, to be held on 05.02.2019
along with the 4G spectrum allotment, vacant land management policy and
restructuring of BSNL and thereafter it would be taken for the approval of the
Cabinet in February itself. On Pension Revision, DoT gone back from the
assurance given by the Hon Minister to delink it from Pay revision and clearly
taken a position that it can be done only after pay revision and with the same
fitment offered for pay revision and 15% fitment is ruled out. The AUAB rejected
the 5% fitment as it is very low and could not accept it. In the earlier
meeting with AS(T), 0% fitment was offered by the DoT side. Thereafter, the
AS(T) suggested that the AUAB representatives could discuss the issue with the
CMD/BSNL and could come back to him within a day or two. In the very next day
meeting, AS(T) told that even 5% fitment is difficult to consider and it is not
able to consider in the DC meeting on 05.02.2019. AUAB is firm on our demand
for 15% fitment, delinking of pension revision with 15% fitment and time bound
approval by Digital Commission and the Cabinet.
Non-allotment of 4G
spectrum, non approval of land monetization proposal submitted by BSNL in May,
2018, pension contribution on maximum of pay scales, denial of permission to
avail bank loans for expansion of network, non filling of BSNL Director posts
etc are deliberate attempt of the Govt to destabilize BSNL. The Niti Aayog and
Finance Ministry is vehemently opposing any proposal for revival of BSNL like
4G spectrum allotment. The non settlement of HR issues like 3rd PRC is also
part of the same game plan to create industrial unrest in the company and
further weaken BSNL to facilitate other operators. Even Pension Revision is
denied by the Govt. In this background AUAB decided to resume the agitational
promgramms to settle the issues immediately prior to the notification of
General Elections.
1. Implementation
of 3rd Pay Revision with 15% fitment.
At the time of formation of
BSNL, as per the recommendations of Group of Ministers, Govt declared that it
will ensure the financial viability of BSNL, better career prospects for the
employees and payment of pension by the Govt. BSNL is a unique PSU where
majority of the employees are recruited by Govt and absorbed in BSNL. BSNL
could not make profit due to the wrong policies of the Govt. Last 3 years,
2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, BSNL performed in an outstanding manner and
increased the operational profit, year after year till the entry of Reliance
Jio. Govt and TRAI allowed policy violations and predatory pricing by Reliance
Jio, which crippled the industry even though BSNL could withstand in comparison
to private operators in an exceptional manner. All other operators, despite
massive decline in their revenues, including R-Jio, are able to stay in the
market only with the support of public financial institutions. BSNLs decline is
due to the Govt, not by the employees. So there is no justification in denying
the Pay Revision to BSNL employees. The Hon Minster was assured the AUAB on
24.02.2018 and 03.02.2018 that, for the relaxation of affordability clause for
the 3rd Pay Revision of BSNL employees, relaxation of affordability clause will
be sought from the Cabinet. However, the DoT, which is responsible for
preparing the Cabinet Note, is dragging its feet and deliberately delaying the
approval.
2. Allotment
of 4G spectrum to BSNL, as per the proposals submitted by the BSNL Management.
In the meeting held on
24.02.2018, the Hon Minster was kind enough to state that, 4G spectrum would be
allotted to BSNL, as per the proposals submitted by BSNL in December, 2017.
However, even after the lapse of one year, the assurances given by the Hon
Minster are not implemented. Abnormal delay in the allotment of 4G spectrum to
BSNL is adversely affecting the financial revival of the Company. Niti Aayog
and Finance Ministry, which dolled out huge concessions to bail out the private
operators are opposing 4G spectrum allotment to BSNL.
3. Implement assurance of the Hon Minister for
delinking pension revision from pay revision. Revise pension of BSNL retirees
w.e.f. 01.01.2017.
The BSNL retirees, who are
absorbed from the DoT, are eligible for pension revision w.e.f. 01.01.2017.
Both the BSNL retirees, as well as the Central Government retirees, are covered
by the same rules, viz., the CCS Pension Rules 1972. Rule 37A has inserted for
providing Government pension on IDA scales from the consolidated fund of India
for the CPSU employees absorbed from Govt service by counting the combined
service. While the Central Government pensioners have already got their pension
revision, the BSNL pensioners are left high and dry. The DoT, which is
responsible for the settlement of the pension revision of the BSNL retirees,
has not taken any action in that direction. Pension revision is no way linked
with the pay revision as the entire pension contribution was paid by BSNL. Even
for BSNL Pensioners, DoT suggested less fitment than 15%, equivalent to Pay
revision, citing the affordability of BSNL where as Pension is to be paid by
the Govt.
4. Payment
of pension contribution by BSNL as per the Government rule.
The Pension Contribution is to
be calculated based on the actual basic pay, instead of maximum of the pay
scales as per DoPT order dated 19.11.2009, under the provisions of FR 116.
However, the DoT is collecting Pension Contribution from BSNL, based on the
maximum of the pay scale of each BSNL employee, since 01.01.2007. In the
meeting held on 24.02.2018, the Hon Minster was kind enough to direct the
Secretary (T), that only the Government of India Rule should be made applicable
to BSNL, in the matter of pension contribution. The DoT has so far not
implemented the direction given by the Hon Minster. Settlement of this issue is
having huge impact on the 3rd Pay Revision.
5. Settlement of the left out issues of the 2nd Pay
Revision Committee.
CMD, BSNL given an assurance
of 3% hike in the Superannuation benefits by March, 2019.
However on the E2 and E3 Pay
scale, no progress is there irrespective of clear direction by the Hon Minister
in the meeting held on 03.12.2018.
6. a) Approval for BSNLs Land Management
Policy without any delay.
b) Expeditiously complete the mutation and
the process of transferring of all assets to BSNL.
BSNL is having huge vacant
land at prime locations scattered in 15,000 land parcels. The fair value itself
is more than 1 lakh Crore. For the effective monetization of the vacant land by
proposing to lease out to PSUs, Banks etc, BSNL submitted the Land
Management Policy in May, 2018 for the approval of DoT. Huge amount, 1000
Cr to 5000 Cr is expected from this business itself. However, DoT is not taking
any action on this proposal having huge potential.
7. (a) Ensure financial viability of BSNL, as
per the decision taken by the Group of
Ministers, at the time of formation of
BSNL.
(b) Issue letter of comfort for BSNLs
proposals for taking bank loans.
(c) Expeditiously fill up all vacant post
of BSNL Board of Directors.
At the time of formation of
BSNL, Govt declared that the financial viability of BSNL will be fully taken
care of. On the other hand, DoT is involved in paralyzing the growth of BSNL,
policy makers in other crucial wings of the Government like Niti Aayog are
colluding and conspiring to destabilize BSNL. All other private operators were
adequately compensated to the tune of thousands of crores through unbelievable
policy concessions, BSNL is even denied Letter of Comfort for availing Bank
Loans, that also continuously for two years, 2017-18 and 2018-19. DoT, intentionally
not allowing BSNL to avail Bank loans for expanding the network or to meet the
urgent operational requirements. As per the data shared by the Govt in the Parliament
recently, Reliance –Jio which entered into Telecom market just in Sept, 2016,
Bharati Airtel, Vodafone Idea, RCom etc having a market liability of 6 lakhs Crores,
even crossing the ceiling set by RBI for Telecom sector where as BSNL is having
just 11,500 Crores. This whole amount from private operators is going to become
NPAs. The details are shown below:
Borrowings (in
Crores) |
BSNL |
Reliance Jio |
Bharati Airtel |
Idea |
2017-18 |
9,352 |
48,455 |
62,536 |
56,963 |
Total Loan |
11,500 |
87,425 |
1,60,300 |
1,38,300 |
Private operators are
indiscriminately extended financial assistance by the financial institutions,
whereas BSNL is being deliberately forced to starve and eventually die by the
policy makers at the highest levels of the Government. Non filling of key
Director Board positions like Director (Finance) for the last 5 years etc are
to be read together, clearly establishing the Govt role in weakening BSNL.
8. Scrap BSNLs
outsourcing for the operation and maintenance of its mobile towers.
The BSNL Management has
planned to outsource the maintenance of BSNLs towers for exorbitant rates, for
which huge amount have to be paid annually. At the beginning itself, the AUAB
has opposed this. But, the BSNL Management is going ahead with the agenda. Absolutely
there is no need for the Company to spend such a huge amount, more importantly
at a time when it is facing a serious financial crisis.
Comrades, the strike from 18.02.2019 onwards has to send loud and clear
message to the Government as well as the Telecom Policy makers at the highest
level, that the employees are fully determined to expose and defeat sinister
policies of the Government to weaken, destabilize and finally privatize BSNL
and that we are ready to fearlessly tread miles and miles to safeguard our
beloved company from disintegration.
First thing first ...
Let all know that BSNL is not closing down ...
Do press conferences, meet customers, meet retail chain and most
importantly vendors and business partners, distribute pamphlets ...
Whatever you do this should be most important job today .....
Anupam Shrivastava CMD BSNL.
AUAB rejects
the appeal of the Management to withdraw the strike from 18.02.2019:
MAKE EXTENSIVE
PREPARATIONS FOR 3 DAYS STRIKE FROM 18.02.2019 BY AUAB
Further CMD BSNL explained the serious financial crisis being faced by
the BSNL and appealed for the cooperation of the AUAB, for deferring payment of
the salary for the month of February, 2019 by 15 days as revenue flow will
improve by March. The AUAB representatives firmly rejected the request of the
CMD BSNL as it will further demoralise the employees and not going to serve the
purpose.
A combined meeting of AUAB held at Ghaziabad, UP(West) on 12.02.2019 at
11 am SSA Secretaries and activists to participate and motivate the employees
for the 3 days strike from 18.02.2019. AUAB CHQ leaders addressed the meeting.
AGS Com Sanjeev Sharma, CS Com R P Sharma and CP Com Karamvir Nagar addressed
the meeting.
AUAB meeting at Rohtak, Haryana will be held on 13.02.2019 at 11 am
The GTI option window will be opened depends on the ERP black out. Some clarifications sought by the ERP regarding the implementation which will be replied today. Option for both schemes for Rs 50 lakhs and 20 lakhs are available for those above 50 years 5 months and 29 days as on 01.03.2019 and change of option will be available.
GS discussed with GM(SR) regarding the cancellation of transfer of Com Anil Dubey, DS/Circle office Maharashtra to a far off place, Bhandara SSA. GS demanded that his earlier transfer to Kalyan SSA to be implemented instead of transfer to Bhandara SSA. GM(SR) assured to discuss with Maharashtra Circle.
3 DAYS STRIKE FROM
18.02.2019 BY AUAB
For further mobilization for the
strike, AUAB decided to conduct a march on 15.02.2019, Friday by all the family
members of BSNL employees.
A combined meeting of AUAB will be held at Gaziabad, UP(West) on
12.02.2019 at 11 am and Rohtak, Haryana on 13.02.2019 at 11 am. A lunch hour
meeting will be held at BSNLCO for BSNLCO and Delhi Circle on 14.02.2019 at
01.30 pm. All Circle Office bearers, SSA Secretaries and activists to
participate and motivate the employees for the 3 days strike from 18.02.2019.
AUAB CHQ leaders will be addressing the meetings.
Conduct combined meetings at Circle/SSA/Branch level.
Meeting with Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD, BSNL on 08.02.2019: GS,
President, AGSs Com P P Rao and Sanjeev Sharma and Jt Sec(S) Com A
Chandrasekhar met CMD and held discussions on the acute financial crisis in the
organization. We appraised CMD about the situation in the field units which is
affecting the services and gradually affect the revenue also. Since DoT is not
given the letter of comfort, taking bank loan also delayed, CMD informed us.
Notification of CPSU Cadre Hierarchy as assured by the management: All
the promotions are held up due to non-availability of posts, court cases and
reservation issue. The reservation policy and the seniority related dispute created
deadlock in JTO to SDE promotion. In other streams non-availability of
vacancies is the main problem. BSNL is following the post based promotions
followed in Govt Depts which is the main reason for creating such situation.
This created huge disparity in promotions which resulted in resentment among
the Executives especially the major wing, Engg wing. As a solution to all the
issues, the new promotion policy is approved by the BSNL Board in line with the
promotion policy followed in all CPSUs. It is to be implemented immediately,
w.e.f 01.07.2018, we demanded.
Assn is not able to contain the resentment among the Executives waiting
for promotion and will be compelled to start agitations in short notice, we
informed. CMD reassured to notify the policy at the earliest.
Meeting with Shri Arun Kumar, PGM(Pers) on 08.02.2019: GS, President,
AGSs Com P P Rao and Sanjeev Sharma and Jt Sec(S) Com A Chandrasekhar met
PGM(Pers) and held discussions on i) DE to DGM promotions: We strongly objected
to the abnormal delay in issuing promotions. The DPC work abruptly stopped
without any reason. The list is already approved by the competent authority and
utilised twice in 2016 and 2017 for DGM promotions. 1966 seniority etc do not
have any relevance now as matter is subjudice. Similar delay on review DPC for
SDE to DE promotion based on Hon SC judgment on Rule 206 is hampering the
regular promotion to DGM grade. PGM(Pers) assured to expedite the process and
some line of action is worked out for DGM promotion. In the HOCC meeting also,
CGMs severely complained about the acute shortage of DGMs in the field
units.
ii) JTO to SDE promotion: The opinion on reservation policy is sought
from the SG. The legal opinions from two BSNL counsels were contradictory which
prompted management to get the opinion of ASG but ASG declined to give the
opinion, which shows the confusion in the legal circles on this important
issue.
The court cases against promotions made management very cautious for
future promotions, and management want to make it sure that no fresh
litigations are arisen after giving promotions, PGM(Pers) informed.
iii) Notification of CPSU Cadre Hierarchy as assured by the management.
Since the reservation policy and the seniority related disputes again started
creating deadlocks and the non-availability of vacancies, the new promotion
policy is to be implemented immediately, w.e.f 01.07.2018.
iv) Restoration of Circle break in Soft tenure policy also discussed.
Meeting with Shri A M Gupta, GM(SR) on 08.02.2019: GS, President, AGSs Com P P Rao and Sanjeev Sharma and Jt Sec(S) Com A Chandrasekhar met GM(SR) and held discussions on i) notification of CPSU Cadre Hierarchy as assured by the management and ii) office accommodation at Circle and SSA level. Assn is not able to contain the resentment among the Executives waiting for promotion and will be compelled to start agitations in short notice, we informed.