AUAB defers the Relay Hunger Fast from 20th to 22nd November.

Director (HR) called a meeting of the AUAB leaders, yesterday morning at 10.00 am. In the meeting, Management, especially Director (HR) response was very positive on the burning issues like salary payment, wages of contract workers, remittance of recoveries, clarifications of VRS related issues, EB/rental payment and discussion on the road map for the maintenance activities in post VRS scenario.

During the discussion Director, assured that salary will be paid by the month end and efforts are going on. The collection is now kept aside for salary purpose. After last month salary payment, BSNL was made 800 Cr payment towards statutory dues in addition to some payments on rentals, EB, labour etc.

Discussion will be held with AUAB on 26.11.2019, 6 pm (as per the convenience of AUAB) regarding the future Road map.

The important clarifications sought by the employees already referred to DoT and Govt will clarify those points. Director(HR) personally taking up the matter with DoT, on 18.11.2019. AUAB demanded that in case clarification is not reached in time, the date is to be extended from 03.12.2019 in order to have an informed choice for the employees.

Considering the seriousness shown by the management to address the employees concerns and involve the stake holders for serious discussions for finalizing the future road map, AUAB decided to defer the Relay Hunger Fast from 20.11.2019 for the time being. 

Deferment of Notice for Trade Union actions of SNEA from 18.11.2019 to 26.11.2019 demanding immediate implementation of the amendment to the Executive Promotion policy: 

CHQ office bearers and Circle Secretaries meeting will be held at New Delhi on 25^th November, 2019, 10.00 am.

Venue will be announced soon.

Agenda:

1. Immediate measures to be taken for the maintenance of services before the implementation of VRS.

2. Organizational issues arising out of VRS. 

Make the reservations urgently. Those who are reaching for CHQ/CS meeting need not book the return ticket for participating the Relay Hunger Fast by SNEA.

Accommodation shall be available from the evening of 24.11.2019 onwards.

DE to DGM promotion: The proposal for conduction of DPC cleared by CMD subject to the condition that there should not be any contempt case. 

Relay Hunger Fast on 20th to 22nd November, 2019 at BSNLCO, Circle and SSA HQs:

AUAB constrained to conduct Relay Hunger Fast on 20th to 22nd November, 2019 at BSNL CO, Circle and SSA HQs in protest against the non-payment of salary, non-payment of wages to contract workers, electricity bills, rentals etc, no road map or action plan for maintaining the services in the post VRS scenario and demanding immediate clarifications on VRS-2019 and other demands.

Charter of Demands

1. Immediate Payment of Salary by BSNL/DoT, remittance of recoveries, payment of wages to contract/casual workers, payment of electricity and rental charges.

2. Spell out the road map for maintaining BSNL services in post VRS scenario, proposed restructuring plan and immediate launching of 4G Services.

3. Immediate clarifications on the VRS-2019 regarding i) Pay Revision, ii) Pension Revision, iii) Commutation of Pension and iv) Gratuity sought by AUAB, well before the closing date of option for VRS.

4. Extend 100% of IDA (119.5%) neutralization till the implementation of 3rd PRC

5. Delinking of Pension Revision from the Pay Revision of working employees and 30% Superannuation benefits to BSNL directly recruited employees.

6. No Reduction of Retirement Age from 60 to 58 honouring the agreement at the time of formation of BSNL.

AUAB sought urgent clarifications on Voluntary Retirement Scheme– 2019 on the various points before the closing date of option.

GS writes to Secretary, DoT regarding Voluntary Retirement Scheme – 2019: Urgent clarification required on the points referred by BSNL to DoT.

Today PSEB selected Shri Sushil Kumar Mishra, CGM/KTK Circle as the new Director(CM), BSNL Board. SNEA congratulate him and wish him all the success.

The appointment by ACC may take normally 2 to 3 month time.

GS writes to Shri P K Purwar, CMD/BSNL regarding proposal for postponement of 2nd Membership verification among Executive Associations

Membership of various Associations as per the RTI reply:

Vodafone Idea posts India’s largest quarterly loss at Rs 50,921 Crores

Bharati Airtel Reports loss of Rs 23,045 Crores in September quarter

BSNL VRS 2019 - FAQs and Reply by Cor. Off. establishment section for guidelines. Issues related to DoT and Govt referred to DoT by BSNL management.

View Corporate Office Orders:
Temporary retention in the grade of AO reg.

Transfer  /  Retention in the grade of AOs reg.
AGM transfer from Tenure circle - Order I    Order II

SDE Inter circle transfer order reg.

It is noticed that some disgruntled elements with malafide intentions, spreading fake news on VRS, just to create panic among the Executives.

It is noticed that even the Executives below 55 years also opted for VRS in large numbers, even beyond the expectation of the management eventhough the package is not good for them and may suffer financial losses in the long run. The package for 55+ is comparatively better.

The future increments, better prospects of pay revision, better career prospects, better terminal benefits and pension, family circumstances and the future challenges in the changed scenario are to be taken into account before taking a final decision.

It will be always better to take some challenges especially during challenging time. VRS is purely voluntary and individual has to take a final call. The negativity created by management and other vested interests should not come in the way of such crucial decision in your career.

Eventhough Union Cabinet approved the proposal for reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58, it is quite unlikely that the Govt will implement such unpopular measure now, in view of the good response for the VRS.

GS/SNEA

Today morning SNEA and AIBSNLEA tried to meet CMD on DE to DGM promotion. The proposal for according approval for the DPC is pending with the CMD for a week for the reasons best known to him. CMD and other Directors are busy with Board meeting and AGM. CMD spoken to us over phone and informed that he will take a decision in a day or two.

The full BSNL Board meeting is scheduled for today, 13.11.2019. In the evening Annual General Meeting (AGM) also scheduled. The Board and AGM will approve the half years performance and balance sheet which is required for floating the Bonds.

Tomorrow, 14.11.2019, selection for Director(CM), BSNL Board interview is scheduled. Director(EB) interview also scheduled in this month itself.

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

1. BSNL Management may seriously work out the Road map for the Revival of BSNL in the post VRS scenario and engage the Trade Unions for constructive discussions and feedback, instead of VRS Mela. Except the word, “outsourcing” nothing heard from the management about the future road map for the maintenance of huge OFC network and tens of thousands of Exchanges spread across BSNL with vast Cable network.

2. Excess GMs and PGMs posted in BSNL on deputation may be repatriated to DoT immediately so that atleast 5 Crores can be saved each month by BSNL

AUAB meeting with Shri P K Purwar, CMD/BSNL on 07.11.2019: GSs of SNEA, BSNLEU, NFTE, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNLMS, SNATTA, ATM and BSNLOA met CMD and held discussions on various issues. Director(HR) also present.

1) Early launching of 4G services:

We explained that after lot of efforts and struggles by the AUAB and the BSNL mgt, Govt allotted 4G spectrum to BSNL. According to media reports, Vodafone may close the services in near future and it will be a golden opportunity for BSNL to acquire good number of customers from Vodafone. Before that BSNL has to launch 4G services. According to our information, about 40,000 BTSs procured in Phase 7, Phase 7+ and Phase 8 and the core equipments are 4G compatible and can be easily upgraded to 4G with less expenditure with the support of the vendors. Another 10,000 BTSs are 4G BTSs. Further BSNL is having 20 MHz spectrum in 2600 band (BWA spectrum) except 6 LSAs where the spectrum was surrendered. In the new tender the equipments shall be procured to provide LTE services using 2600 band also so that entire 30 MHz (5 MHz 3G+5 MHz 4G +20 MHz BWA) can be effectively utilised where ever required, we suggested.

CMD explained the road map in detail. An expert Committee has been formed immediately to work out the 4G launching by upgradation and preparing the new tender. The Committee already submitted the report. By Add on order, we can go for 4G for about 24,000 BTS. If upgradation is possible with the support of the vendors especially, ZTE, 4G can be provided launched with better coverage with about 50,000 BTSs. Majority of the equipments which are to be upgraded are supplied by ZTE, about 38,000. However the rates of certain components are very high, almost 3 times, comparing to Nokia rates. This is the major challenge to make ZTE agreeable for lower rates. Upgradation to 4G is the easiest method with less cost and minimum time. Second challenge is the payment issue. No payment is made during the last one year and about 1,400 Cr each is due for Nokia and ZTE. Both are insisting for the payment first before any discussion. Efforts are going on for dialogue with both the vendors. As an alternative, new tender work is also started. In this tender 2600 band also will be added, CMD assured.

2) We also demanded that prompt steps should be taken to provide FTTH connections. Further we demanded for fruitful discussion on post VRS scenario and the road map for maintaining the connections after the VRS implementation.

3) AUAB strongly demanded for the salary payment in time. On salary payment, CMD said he could not give any assurance or specific date as of now.

4) We further demanded the remittance of recoveries to LIC, GPF, Banks, societies etc and payment of pension contribution to DoT as the employees are suffering a lot. In the case of those taking VRS, special care will be taken to clear all the outstanding due, CMD assured.

After the approval of Revival package, banks are showing positive approach and BSNL trying to get some loan for CAPEX immediately, CMD informed.

After the discussion, along with GS/AIBSNLEA we requested CMD to clear the proposal for DE to DGM promotion.

Meeting with Shri S P Tripati, DIR(CM) on 07.11.2019: GS, President, AGSs Com P P Rao, Com Dilip Saha, Com R S Kolapkar, Jt Sec(E) Com I H Mandal and CP/CTD Com Sankar Sanyal met DIR(CM) and held discussion on 4G launching and related issues. Detailed discussions held on the subject.