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Circle Conference of Odisha Circle at Bhubaneswar on 16.02.2020.

The Circle Conference of Odisha Circle was held at Bhubaneswar on 16.02.2020. GS, President, Com I H Mondal/Jt Sec(East), Com Jagdish Rout/AGS addressed the Conference in detail highlighting all the issues related to BSNL revival, cadre issues etc. Com B K Das, C/President presided over the Conference. Com B C Biswal CS submitted the CS report and Com U K Panda submitted the accounts.

From the threat of closure of BSNL, our continuous struggle lead to the Revival of BSNL. Few months back, the situation was totally different, Govt at the highest level decided for the closure of BSNL or to allow BSNL for its natural death without extending any Govt support. Niti Ayog in December, 2017 itself recommended the closure of BSNL. From that situation, our continuous struggle in the banner of AUAB, supported by the public, political parties and the media given a new life to BSNL by the approval of a comprehensive Revival Package for BSNL.

Those taken VRS had made the sacrifice for the company as well as for the bright future of the remaining employees. Large number of employees taken VRS in order to help the revival of BSNL by reducing the expenditure as per the message spread by the management and the Govt. They sacrificed many years of service for the youngsters, we should not forget. Before they are parting with BSNL, they made it sure that a good revival package is in place for the BSNL with free 4G spectrum, about Rs 30,000 Cr financial support in the form of Sovereign Guarantee Bond and land monetization and there will be no financial burden on BSNL for Ex-gratia payment.

They contributed much during the organizational struggle for the revival of BSNL. All of them were in the forefront of all the recent struggles in the form of demonstration, Dharna, Hunger Fast, Raj Bhavan March, Parliament March, Sanchar Bhavan March, PM office March, strike etc facing wage cut etc. All those struggles lead to the Revival package. So it is the responsibility of the remaining employees to reciprocate, rise to the expectations of them and make it sure that BSNL is revived.

Whole SNEA family recognises their sacrifices and contribution for the company and the Association. During the Conference, all the VRS optees and retirees were felicitated by the Association. We requested all of them to contribute for BSNL Revival in whatever possible manner and join with us in all the future struggles. For that purpose and for focussing on pension Revision, delinking it from Pay revision, we are supporting the newly formed SNPWA under the leadership of Com G L Jogi. All the VRS optees may take the lead to strengthen SNPWA.

An open session was held in which Dr U S Panda/CGM was the Chief Guest. PGM (EB &CM), GM(HR), other GMs, CS/AIGETOA and CS/SEWA addressed the open session.

The following issues elaborated during open session and delegate session:

Present financial crisis is mainly happened because the expected financial support of Rs 8,500 Crores from the Govt in the form of Sovereign Guarantee Bonds is not received so far. BSNL was expecting this money by December–January. According to our information, Govt could not do this as it exceeded the ceiling limit of 0.5% of the GDP for the financial year 2019-20. The necessary permission will be given in the first week of April, in the next financial year. Because of this development, the present financial crisis may continue for few more months. Meanwhile management is trying for the letter of comfort from Finance Ministry which may help BSNL to get Bank loan that can be repaid once the money is received from the Bonds.

BSNL is getting ready for launching 4G services by 1^st April. Management is trying to engage the GSM vendors M/s Nokia and M/s ZTE for converting about 40,000 3G BTSs into 4G by small software and hardware modification. This is most cost effective one. Parallaly BSNL is floating a tender for 4G equipments with about 50,000 BTSs. Making efforts for

Restg process is going on. As we afraid, on every possibility, drastic reduction in the sanctioned posts are anticipated making prospect for post based promotion further dim. Almost all the promotions stopped to complete the restructuring. Merger of non recruiting Circles, BAs etc underway.

Out sourcing of CFA, CM and OFC mtce works are initiated. All the suggestions received from the field units, especially on the CFA tender was escalated to the concerned Director and CMD. Some of the concerns are addressed by mgt. But our major concern of including primary cable in the tender and eligibility of the vendors are not addressed so far. We are afraid about the outcome of CFA tender.

On cadre issues, record number of promotions was given during May-June, 2018, filling all the vacancies as on that date. This is for the smooth implementation of the new policy from 01.07.2018. More than 13,500 Executives promoted in less than two months time. This is the first positive outcome of the approval of CPSU Cadre Hierarchy as mgt decided to implement new policy from 01.07.2018. Only JTO to SDE vacancy could not fill up due to court cases but in that also, SCF and LDCE made at par for change over to the new policy. Subsequent efforts to fill up the SDE vacancies could not materialise due to the court cases at Ernakulam. After lot of persuasions by the Association, management agreed for SDE promotion for all the available vacancies and filed an affidavit in that respect in the Hon CAT. During arguments on 07.01.2019, the applicants in the contempt petition insisted for contempt proceedings against the CMD and GM(Pers) and Hon CAT issued notice for framing charges against CMD and GM(P) in the contempt petition, management stopped the DPC process from that date. Later on, the contempt proceedings stayed by the Hon High Court. CMD retired and GM(P) got promotion as Director(HR) in another CPSU but we lost the golden opportunity for SDE promotion. Management is waiting for the outcome of the contempt petition in CAT and the Review Petition filed in the Hon High Court. Again for DPC, the hurdle of Reservation issue also to be resolved. Similarly SDE to DE promotion also depends on the contempt case and reservation issue. All other post based promotions are depends on the reservation issue as management is not in a position to take a stand on that matter, whether promotion is to be given with merit or without merit. This common issue is in addition to the seniority related issues. But efforts are going on for issuing DGM(T) and DGM(F) promotions shortly.

In this uncertainty on promotions, we demanded the implementation of the new non-post based time bound functional promotion policy approved by the BSNL Board w.e.f 01.07.2018 and filed a petition in this regard. Management can purchase time but there is no alternative other than giving non-post based time bound functional promotion w.e.f 01.07.2018 (from back date). This will give us promotion from 01.07.2018 for all the eligible Executives with parity and will end all the litigations and open a smooth career path for the Executives.

3^rd Pay revision: Affordability clause is not applicable for the Pay revision, this was the stand of SNEA and NCOA from the beginning. We pleaded in the same manner before 3^rd Pay revision Committee also. On 3^rd PRC implementation, we could convince the BSNL management and the BSNL Board comprising members from DoT and 4 External Directors that Affordability clause is not applicable for BSNL. They agreed to our demand and recommended 3^rd Pay revision with full 15% fitment. This was a major achievement as a Trade Union, to convince the BSNL management and make them to agree to our demands. However DoT did not agree to the proposal of BSNL Board, pointing the dwindling financial situation of BSNL.

Eventhough BSNL is loss making for many years, we could convince the management, the need for separate superannuation pension fund, giving a major relief to the BSNL directly recruited employees. CMD/BSNL made the commitment to us in our Jaipur All India Conference on 05^th Sept, 2015. So far, we could get a contribution of 5 % (3+2) towards the fund making total 25% contribution towards 30% Superannuation fund and pursuing for increase in it.

Standard Pay scales of E2 and E3, replacing E1A and E2A scales is a serious issue to be resolved and pending with DoT. We could get a positive recommendation from BSNL in 2016 in our favour after lot of struggle. The financial crisis in BSNL is having adverse effect on it. However we are pursuing and during merger of BSNL and MTNL, this issue has to be settled once for all.

As a major welfare measure, Group Term Insurance(GTI) got implemented from March, 2019 with very attractive premium, especially for those below 50 years. We tirelessly worked with LIC, with the support of BSNL management and finally clinched the deal with LIC. This was a commitment given during the last MV.

On pay parity of 22820 for the 2007, 2008 etc rect JTOs, we decided to fight legally for rendering justice to thousands of Executives drawing less pay, had they continued in pre-revised scale.

On a query from the delegates, it is informed that the exam for MT(Intl) quota is already held and results are expected shortly. The court case against the MT exam will be decided shortly. We welcome young meritorious comrades to take the higher responsibility as a substitute to the deputationists.

In the Conference Com Golaka Charan Sahoo/JTO, Com Jagadish Rout/JTO, Com Bijaya Kumar Moharana/SDE and Com Niranjan Sahu/JAO were elected as C/President, C/Secretary, C/Treasurer and CWC member respectively. SNEA CHQ wishes all the success to the newly elected Circle Office bearers of SNEA, Odisha Circle.

Court case demanding implementation of non-post based promotion upto AGM level (CPSU Cadre Hierarchy) w.e.f. 01.07.2018 at CAT/Chandigarh.

The OA filed by SNEA & others at Hon CAT/Chandigarh demanding implementation of non-post based time bound functional promotion upto AGM level (CPSU Cadre Hierarchy) w.e.f. 01.07.2018 as approved by the BSNL Board was listed on 17.02.2020. The new promotion policy ensures functional promotion after every 5 years along with change of scale. The division bench is not sitting nowadays. BSNL sought more time for filing the reply. Hon CAT granted 4 more weeks time to BSNL to file the reply, if any. Thereafter we have given liberty to file rejoinder. The case is listed for 16.04.2020 for hearing. We are expecting division bench in the CAT by that time. 

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

Deployment of more employees to the field units in the post VRS scenario: The employees working in Project wings and INSP/QA are to be urgently deputed to Maintenance Regions and SSAs with the available vehicles, keeping minimum employees with them as Regions and SSAs are starving. Majority of the VRS optees are from these sectors.

Group Term Insurance (RTI):

Window opened in ERP from 12.02.2020 to 17.02.2020 for change of option i) for new entry or ii) for withdrawal. For those opted last year, the rate of premium will remain the same. Pl inform all.

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

AMC and installation work for the new 4G tender: Only critical equipments need to be included for AMC as part of the tender instead of total PO cost. Majority of equipments can be maintained in house by the Executives itself. Similarly BTS installation and swapping can be done by BSNL Executives instead of going for 100% turnkey project. By this hundreds of crores of rupees can be saved. 

GS writes to Shri. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon MoC&IT:

BSNL Revival package was approved by the Union Cabinet on 23.10.2019. Abnormal delay in extending the financial support to BSNL in the form of Sovereign Bonds for Rs 8,500 Crores (out of Rs 15,000 Cr for BSNL and MTNL) hampers the entire revival process as BSNL is struggling to pay the salary, labour payments, vendor payments, electricity payments, rentals, outstanding dues etc.

Other than VRS, no other component of the BSNL Revival package, which is really going to revive BSNL started its implementation so far, even after 4 months of Cabinet decision. VRS alone will not revive any company and the history proved that. Non receipt of the financial support from the Govt in the form of Rs 8,500 Crores Sovereign Bonds has created huge financial crisis in BSNL.

Group Term Insurance (GTI):

Window opened in ERP from 12.02.2020 to 17.02.2020 for change of option (i) for new entry or (ii) for withdrawal.

View Corporate Office Orders:
Review and validation of entries in SAP in respect of BSNL VRS 2019  optees  reg.
Quantum of tax excemption available to an eligible BSNL VRS  2019 optee under IT Act reg.

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

Kindly take immediate action for Regular promotion in different Grades for the Executives already working in higher scales to fill up the huge vacuum created in the field units by VRS 2019. It will motivate the Executives to take extra work load. Promotion is not going to make any financial implication either on BSNL or DoT as all are already working in higher scales, it is merely a designation change:

After DGM(Telecom) promotion on regular/Adhoc/LA, the number of AGM(T) had come down to just 600 whereas 6500 AGMs were working one year back. At the same time, SDEs with 15 years of service are waiting for promotion.

The 70 CAOs will not be sufficient even to man the vacant IFA/DGM(Fin) posts.

Thousands of Executives in higher scales are working in the entry level of JTO equivalent grades for 5 to 30 years and waiting for their 1st promotion.

i) Since the promotion upto AGM equivalent Grade is non-post based time bound promotion, there is no need for waiting for the restructuring of BSNL.

ii) Since the Executives are already working in higher scales, promotion is not going to make any financial implication either on BSNL or DoT. The additional increment on post based promotion, under litigation is also withdrawn by this.

iii) Since the Executives are already working in higher scales, there is no need for another DPC. The regular promotion orders can be issued within days to the higher grades from among the Executives working in higher scales, just by designation change, after getting the VC.  

iv) In order to maintain parity and retain the relative seniority of equivalent cadres in different wings as their juniors in other wing already promoted on 29.06.2018, the promotion is to be given from 01.07.2018 itself.

v) In the changed scenario, the residency period for promotion from SDE to AGM equivalent Grades can be reduced from the present 12 years to 8 or 9 years.

vi) Services will be seriously affected if immediate steps are not taken as Executives will be reluctant to take higher responsibilities or decisions on short term basis.