General Strike by Central Trade Unions on 26.11.2020

SNEA extends solidarity and support to the Strike

View Corporate Office Orders:
Change of HQ from Jabalpur to Bangalore, structure and rationalization of staff of Inspection and QA Circle - reg.
Non submission of online self appraisal (eAPAR) through ESS portal from year 2016-17 to 2019-20-reg.
Transfer and Posting in the grade of SDE (Civil) - reg.

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

1. Promotion from DGM(Adhoc) to DGM(T/Fin) on Regular basis – All the DGM posts (100%) are vacant today. All the VRs optees in DGM Grade were working on Adhoc basis and hence the number of DGM posts will not change:

2. Onetime relaxation in the qualifying service for Promotion from DE(T)/CAO to DGM(T/Fin) Grades to fill up all the vacancies on regular basis. DE/CAO promotions delayed due to court cases and all the DE/CAOs are having sufficient experience in the DE/CAO cadre on Officiating/Adhoc/regular basis and satisfy the spirit of the RR provisions of 4 years of experience:

DGM promotion will result vacancy in DE/CAO cadres and thereafter in SDE/AO cadres.

GS writes to Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, DIR(HR) regarding Promotion from SDE to DE for the left out/missing cases who are seniors – the connected court cases over on 25.02.2020 but the promotion orders not yet issued.

It is learned that today the Empowered Technology Group (ETG) meeting is scheduled for discussing the BSNL 4G tender issue.

GS writes to Shri P K Purwar, CMDBSNL

Allotment of more funds for labour payment to clear the outstanding payments pending for months together in many Circles. The labours helped BSNL to maintain our services and earn revenue are really starving – immediate action for making the payments.

IDA freezing for CPSUs from 01.10.2020 to 30.06.2021

NCOA and AUAB calls for observing 25.11.2020 as PROTEST DAY.

National Confederation of Officers Associations (NCOA) calls for observing 25.11.2020 as PROTEST DAY.

All Unions and Associations in BSNL (AUAB) calls for Lunch Hour Protest Demonstrations on 25.11.2020.

All CSs and SSA Secs are requested to coordinate with other Assns and Unions to make the programme a big success.

View Corporate Office Orders:
Transfer Order in the grade of SDE Electrical reg.
Tenure Transfer Order of SDEs reg.

UP (West) Circle Conference held at Agra on 21.11.2020

The Circle Conference of UP(West) Circle was held at Agra on 21.11.2020 maintaining social distancing and taking Covid 19 precautions. GS, CHQ President and AGS Com Sanjeev Sharma addressed the Conference. Delegates from various SSAs attended the Conference. An open session was held on the subject, Challenges before BSNL and Associations after the Revival package. Shri Sanjeev Aggarwal, CGMT/UP(W) was the Chief Guest. Shri Surya Kant, PGMTD/Agra and Shri Rajesh Kumar, GMTD/Noida also addressed the open session.  

In the open session focus, was on BSNL revival and ways to increase the revenue. CGMT focussed on utilization of available resources to increase the business and revenue. 4G launching is getting delayed which is a real concern. Employees demanding that Govt should allow BSNL to upgrade the existing 49300 BTSs and launch 4G services. Discussion on ICR pact with Vodafone is also going on. Land monetization is a major proposal by which only BSNL can wipe out thousands of Crores bank loans and really possible for getting BSNL revived. Cluster for BSNL land line maintenance is having lot of issues and in many places, it is not able to take off. Similarly, OF mtce also. FTTH model is very successful and DIR(CFA) is fully focussing it. It is a very successful model and more than 80,000 FTTH connections are provided per month. It is to be increased to 1 lakh.

CHQ leaders congratulated the Circle Office bearers, all the SSA Secretaries and activists under the dynamic leadership of CS and CP for the very good performance in the last MV and securing number one position in UP(W) Circle. SNEA is the largest Executives Association of BSNL Executives and continue to take up all the issues concerning the BSNL and the Executives, CHQ leaders assured.

In the delegate session, GS and President explained the status of various HR issues. On promotion, delegates demanded the promotion of all the eligible Executives. CHQ leaders assured that we are working for that and we will overcome all the obstacles through our unity and united struggles. Parallally we are working for the possibility of DPC as much possible and complete it before December end. From January onwards, our entire focus will be implementation of non-post based promotion as followed in all CPSUs (which is approved by the Board) and we will be starting the agitation programs till we achieve the goal. Preparation will start from 02.12.2020 onwards through protest demonstrations.

Other HR issues like standard pay scales of E2/E3, Pay loss issue, SAB, E1+5 increment, first TBP, E1A/E2A for Civil/Elect etc have financial implications and management is not positive in its attitude citing the poor financial conditions. We are focussing on regular payment of salary, labour payment, temp advance, electricity payment, rentals, medical treatment etc so that revenue can be increased. 

In the Circle Conference Com V.K.Yadav/AGM, Com R.P.Sharma/AGM, Com Deepak Muchhal/JTO and Com Abhishek Sharma/JTO are unanimously elected as Circle President, Circle Secretary, Circle Treasurer and Asst Circle Secretary(HQ). Com Vivek Saxena/JTO and D.P. Singh/JTO are elected as the CWC members. Majority of the OBs are JTO/JAOs.

CHQ extends best wishes to all the newly elected Circle Office bearers.

National Confederation of Officers Associations (NCOA) of CPSUs writes to Shri Prakash Jadadekar, Hon Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises against freezing of IDA. SNEA is a major constituent of NCOA. NCOA Core committee meeting held on 20.11.2020 also decided to observe 25.11.2020 as PROTEST DAY.

IDA freezing for CPSUs from 01.10.2020 to 30.06.2021

NCOA and AUAB calls for observing 25.11.2020 as PROTEST DAY.

National Confederation of Officers Associations (NCOA) calls for observing 25.11.2020 as PROTEST DAY.

All Unions and Associations in BSNL (AUAB) calls for Lunch Hour Protest Demonstrations on 25.11.2020.

On one side Govt not implemented 3^rd Pay Revision for many PSUs including BSNL. BSNL employees are working round the clock to maintain the essential telecom services during the Covid 19 pandemic. Many CPSUs are playing important role in maintaining the essential services during the Covid.

NCOA and AUAB deplore the Govt decision for Freezing of IDA in the name of Covid 19.

All CSs and SSA Secs are requested to coordinate with other Assns and Unions to make the programme a big success.

UP (West) Circle Conference will be held at Agra on 21.11.2020 (tomorrow)

Twitter campaign on 17.12.2020 demanding Time Bound Functional Promotions w.e.f. 01.07.2018.

Open Twitter accounts for all the members. CS and SSA Secretaries have to open the Twitter account and instruct all the members to follow the Twitter account of CHQ, GS, Circle and SSA. 

SNEA/CHQ can be followed on @sneachq

General Secretary can be followed on @gssnea

CSs and SSA/Dist/Branch Secretaries to monitor the progress in Twitter a/c opening.

All along, one Association was giving false hope to the Executives and confusing them by announcing every month/festival date as target date for promotion without understanding how promotions will take place. This is happening because they are far away from the reality, sitting far away from BSNLCO. Recently when SNEA reported again the factual position on promotions, they were compelled to find out the facts. Atleast now they understood that management linked all the promotions with Restg and in Restg process, drastic post reduction will happen. Till now either they are not aware of the facts or not telling the real facts to the Executives. Without hiding anything, SNEA frankly conveyed to the Executives many times earlier, months back, that management linked the promotions with the Restg and post reduction and not in a mood for conduction of DPC as they want to complete the Restg process first. Atleast now, they started understanding the issues which this Association foreseen years back and explained to the Executives, ie. Restructuring and resultant post reduction and its deadly consequences. They showed blind eye towards this serious issue and propagated everything is fine by giving false hope to the Executives. They never bothered to take up with the management against the very stringent provisional norms circulated on 26.12.2014 or again on 27.12.2019 for all the cadres upto AGM/CAO which reduces the posts by more than 60% or the Restg order dated 27.08.2020. At the same time SNEA immediately taken up the matter (SNEA letter dated 19.01.2015, 19.02.2015, 17.04.2017, 13.01.2020 and 07.09.2020), demanding more liberal norms for all the cadres with proper justification and relentlessly pursuing in meeting with concerned officers.

Restg is inevitable due to: i) massive surrender of landline connections based on which our maximum posts are justified and ii) VRS. The sanctioned posts available today in various cadres were created in 2004 as per the assets available at that time (mainly landline connections) except mobile sector where it happened in 2008. After 2004, no review taken place on the sanctioned posts. From 2014 onwards, management is trying for Restg and posts reduction. The proposal gone upto the BSNL Board and pending there, stopping all the HR initiatives. The need for delinking the promotion from availability of posts was recognized by SNEA and started working on it seriously since 2014. We stopped the Restg implementation for years together, till the new promotion policy approved as it will erode even our existing promotion avenues. Parallally, we worked out the new promotion policy, delinking it from availability of vacancies/posts and got it approved from the BSNL Board in May, 2018.

This Assn took stern action against those gone to the court against the declared stand of the Association, i.e. not to block any promotion. The committed activists of this Assn withdrawn from the case on the direction of the Assn showing their commitment and dedication. Those advocating restrain nowadays could take any such bold decision and implement it against their Office bearers who stayed the JTO to SDE promotion for 8 years from 2010 to 2018 at Chennai and Kerala? Leave action, did they atleast condemn their action, Never. They supported them even financially in Kerala case. Many young JTOs lost the promotion for years and thousands of JTOs retired without promotion. All along SNEA advocated not to challenge the settled principle followed in DoT & BSNL on JTO seniority fixation for some temporary benefits but they opened a Pandora box by demanding 1:1 promotion and Date of Joining Criteria for the promotion to SDE cadre. Now the same demand which they raised earlier is raised by the subsequent batches! SNEA always opposed the demand for 1:1 promotion (irrespective of Rect year) and Date of Joining Criteria, so we could direct our activists. But whether the other Assn is having the moral right to tell the subsequent batches, they should not demand 1:1 promotion and Date of Joining Criteria for the promotion to SDE cadre as SNEA done?

We advise them to work for the welfare of all the Executives, not just for taking credits or giving false hopes. Instead of temporary solution, long term solution is required, that is the lesson we learned from the past. It is not our agenda just to promote a JTO/JAO to SDE/AO and make them to retire thereon or maximum as a DE/CAO as happening today in BSNL? They should get an opportunity to move forward to higher posts and lead the company as GM, CGM etc. In other PSUs, its own officers are leading the company by taking promotions. This is possible only if they get promotions on Time Bound basis and reach AGM Grade atleast at the age of 40.

We sincerely hope that in the changed scenario, when they understood the ground reality, the deadly consequences of Restg and management intentions, they will also join hands for the smooth career progression of all the Executives through the implementation of the new non-post based Time Bound Functional Promotion policy (BEPPARR 2017  or CPSU CH) approved by the BSNL Board. Once it is implemented the senior Executives can get promotion from 01.07.2018 itself (by this time they will have 2 ½ years of service in the new Grade). Let them take the credit for its implementation, we are happy with the promotion to the Executives. Further we can work for non-post based promotion to DGM Grade also and for further improvement in the policy. We should not fall into the trap laid by the management in the name of Restg and DPC to derail the new promotion policy. When we support the ongoing DPC process initiated by BSNL and work for that till the end of December, 2020, our ultimate aim is the non-post based Time Bound Functional Promotion from 01.07.2018 for which we decided to launch the real agitations from 04^th January, 2021 onwards.

EPF full Pension option:

The data from A&N, KRL and RAJ circles received last week in addition to the earlier one. The data for the remaining Circles also to be expedited.

Preparatory work for JTO to SDE promotion:

The corrections in the AIEL for 2002 to 2008 rect JTOs may be sent without further delay. It may be noted that most of the Circles send the JTO Gradation particulars of only working JTOs, leaving the names of the JTOs promoted, resigned, retired, expired etc. The Gradation list should consist all the names including the JTOs promoted, resigned, retired, expired etc. The Gradation particulars of JTOs upto 2012 rect year also may be sent at the earliest.

The status of Gradation list, assessment sheet and VC may be informed to CHQ.

Mandatory utilization of Net work services of BSNL / MTNL - Endorsement by Ministry of Home Affairs ..... View letter copy.

GS writes to Shri. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon Cabinet Minister for Communications & IT:

Denial of permission for BSNL to launch 4G services using the existing infrastructure and BTSs by upgradation of about 49,300 4G/4G compatible BTSs already procured, spending thousands of Crores. BSNL revival is getting abnormally delayed. Even one year after the Cabinet decision on 23.10.2020 for BSNL Revival and allotment of 4G spectrum, BSNL could not launch 4G services. Right from the day one, BSNL faced the unique problem as you rightly stated earlier, BSNL DID NOT ALLOWED TO GROW.

More than 60% mobile revenue is from 2G services, BSNL cannot ignore 2G and go for 4G alone after 2 years. So the new technology under testing should be 4G as well as 2G compatible. Similarly such developed Technology and equipments should have sufficient capacity for transmission of high power.

Request to intervene in the matter decisively for allowing BSNL to launch 4G services immediately with the existing network, through upgradation of the existing 49,300 BTSs which are procured, installed by spending more than Rs 5000 Crores on the anticipation that BSNL can launch 4G services within 2 to 3 months on allotment of 4G spectrum. The new tender for 4G equipments may be dealt separately without clubbing with the upgradation.

View Media Reports:                                                  ITI in talks with Indian companies to provide complete 4G, 5G network gears. 
BSNL to provide telecom services in Delhi, Mumbai from 1 January: Report. 
TCIL eyes to deploy 4G gear for BSNL, MTNL.                                                                                                                                          

Meeting with Shri P K Purwar, CMD/BSNL on 13.11.2020:

GS, AGS and Com Arvind Dahiya, CP/BSNLCO met CMD and held discussions on the following issues:

1) Launching of 4G Services:

CMD informed that the Technical Committee has submitted its report on 30.09.2020. Committee recommended that BSNL has to discontinue with 2G services which is opposed by BSNL. None of the Indian firms have 2G technology. Committee agreed only for upgradation of BTSs supplied by L1 (M/s Nokia). This will serve only South and West zones. Another recommendation of the Committee is that the Source code should be placed in an Escrow account.

BSNL submitted its response to the Committee report on 08.10.2020 firmly demanding 2G and 4G for its revival. BSNL requirement is 2G/3G/4G compatible Core and RAN. Otherwise BSNL 2G&3G services and 4G services will have separate Core and RAN, escalating our expenses by thousands of Crores. It is to be compensated suitably by the Govt.

All the issues will be discussed in the ETG (Empowered Technology Group) headed by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister, most probably on 20th or 23^rd November. CMD also will be attending the meeting. BSNL will insist for early POC, CMD informed.

2) ICR agreement with Vodafone for 4G services:

Discussion is going on. Vodafone is demanding very high rate. After Diwali, CMD is trying to have meeting with the CEO of Vodafone on this issue. 

Meeting with Sri S K Gupta, Director(Fin) on 13.11.2020:

GS and AGS met DIR(Fin) and held discussions on the following issues:

DIR(F) informed that almost all the short term loans and loans having higher interest rates are closed after getting Rs 8500 Crores by issuing Bonds. We could reduce the liability by this and all the bank liability upto March 2021 is cleared by this. The collection is good, almost steady and it can be utilised for other purposes, till March. All the outstanding payments towards the employees are made, old labour payments are done in instalments almost every month, electricity pending dues come down from 300 Cr to below 100 Cr, DIR(F) explained.

The half yearly result is good and BSNL again become EBITA positive after some years. After the issue of Bond, BSNL has to prepare and submit the balance sheet to the stock exchange.

On our query, he expressed confidence that the salary payment will become regular in one or two months time.

DIR(F) really appreciated SNEA for taking up very serious issues and the recent letter on Alphion AMC was appreciated by all. Senior management took our points very seriously and discussed in detail, he told. He told us to continue to take up such issues and give feedback to the management on various issues.

He will now work as Pr CCA, New Delhi with the additional charge of DIR(F)/MTNL.

New Director(F) Smt Yojana Das also present. She will be taking the charge on Monday, 16.11.2020.

Meeting with Sri S K Mishra, Director(CM) on 12.11.2020:

GS and AGS met DIR(CM) and held discussions on the following issues:

1) Launching of 4G Services:

The Technical Committee constituted by the Govt has submitted its report on 30.09.2020. Majority of the Committee members recommended that BSNL has to discontinue with 2G services which is opposed by BSNL as more than 60% of BSNL mobile revenue is coming from 2G. It is understood that Committee is insisting for 4G alone to support Indian firms as none of them have 2G technology. Committee agreed only for upgradation of BTSs supplied by L1 (M/s Nokia) in Phase VIII.4 tender which caters South and West Zones. However more than 60% of 4G compatible BTSs are supplied by M/s ZTE in Phase VII and Phase VIII.4 tenders for which Committee not given permission. Another recommendation of the Committee is that the Source code should be placed in an Escrow account by the vendor which all vendors may object.

DoT asked comments from BSNL on the Committee report and the same submitted on 08.10.2020 itself.

BSNL requirement is 2G/3G/4G compatible Core and RAN (Combo BBU). None of the Indian companies having the technology so far. Otherwise BSNL 2G&3G services and 4G services will have separate Core and RAN, escalating our expenses by thousands of Crores. In addition, BSNL 2G/3G services and 4G services will be two islands, just like two operators.

The main challenges ahead for the Indian firms are: 1) no 2G +4G technology, 2) very less power for the BTSs and 3) at present technology is not available with some Indian vendors in 2100 MHz band.

All the issues will be discussed in the ETG (Empowered Technology Group) shortly headed by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister in which former Chairman/ISRO, former Chairman/DRDO, Secretary(Science &Technology), Secretary/IT, Secretary/DoT etc are members.

BSNL is insisting for early POC.

2) ICR agreement with Vodafone for 4G services:

Discussion is going on. Vodafone sought OF connectivity of about 10000 KM in lieu of roaming. Another option for roaming is not commercially viable as Vodafone demand is very high rate.

3) PRBT in BSNL popular STVs:

All other operators are providing PRBT bundled services. BSNL is the only operator providing services with PRBT in limited STVs. After SNEA taken up the issue a year back, the rate has been re-negotiated and brought down considerably to 7 paise per day (Rs 2.10 per month). Again as per the feedback received from some Circles like Odisha, it has been re-examined and it is observed that during unbundling the business gone down. Bundling increased the business for BSNL like other operators. As a test case, bundling done for some STVs when the sales were going down. It is established that after bundling, the sales improved considerably. So bundling cannot be avoided, DIR(CM) explained with figures.

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

Outstanding Temporary Advance payments to the Executives pending from 2019 onwards – immediate action solicited for making the payments.

The CWC meeting urged BSNL management to take immediate steps to clear all the outstanding Temporary Advances at the earliest. This will facilitate and encourage the Executives to execute the work in emergency situations as done earlier in order to maintain the network. Further, funds should be allotted towards Temporary Advances, every month, for maintaining the network wherever outsourcing is not successful.

GS writes to Shri. Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL Board

1. Request for cancellation of the transfer orders of Sh Bharat Chandra Mohanty and Sh Hiranmaya Bhukta, SDEs as they have worked / working in soft tenure SSA of Orissa Circle.

2. Request for cancellation of the transfer orders of Sh Subash Chandra Mishra, SDE, Orissa Circle on immunity grounds.

View Corporate Office Orders:

Provisional seniority list in the grade of EE (C) for executives absorbed in BSNL as on 01-11-20 reg.

Transfer and posting in the grade of AGM reg.

View Corporate Office Order:
Circulation of Provisional AIEL of JTO(T)s and furnishing the required details positively by 16-11-20 reg.

GS writes to Shri. Vivek Banzal, Director (CFA), BSNL Board

Review of scope of work and AMC of OLTs supplied by M/s Alphion India Pvt Ltd w.e.f. 01.01.2021 onwards – our suggestions reg:

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

Co-option as CHQ Office Bearers of SNEA to the vacant posts of Vice President, Joint Secretary (South) and Asst General Secretary.  

Circular to all the Circle Secretaries and CHQ OBs 

View Corporate Office Order:
Corrigendum for the data corrected with respect to the integrated final eligibility list of JTOs published on 12-10-2020 reg.

Court case at CAT, Chandigarh for implementation of CPSU CH Promotion w.e.f. 01.07.2018 as approved by the BSNL Board.

The case listed for hearing today, 09.11.2020. Since division bench was not sitting, all the cases postponed. All the pleading and formalities are completed in the case. Based on our arguments for early hearing, Hon Tribunal agreed for final hearing and fixed the case for FINAL hearing on 20.01.2021. 

The Central Working Committee meeting of SNEA held on 07.11.2020 (Online) co-opted the following as CHQ Office Bearers to the vacant posts:

Vice President: Com Manoj Patil, SDE, Surat, GUJ Circle (2001 rect JTO, become SDE through LDCE 2007. Mob-09427244999).

Joint Secretary (South):       Com M Satyaprasad, AGM, Visakhapatnam, AP Circle (1991 rect JTO, promoted as AGM in June 2018. Mob-9490000137).

Asst General Secretary: Com Manish Samadhiya, JTO, Indore, MP Circle (2012 rect JTO. Mob-09425003669).

CWC meeting decisions:

The CWC meeting held on 07.11.2020 unanimously resolved that Office bearer of the Association at any level should not go to court against the declared stand of the Association.

CWC directed Circle Secretary, MP Circle to communicate the same to the OBs gone to the Jabalpur court against JTO to SDE promotion and direct them to withdraw from the case or step down from the Office bearer of SNEA immediately.

Developments on promotions:

The preparatory work is going on in Pers section in full swing for JTO to SDE promotion. In general, Promotion to all the cadres stopped by the top management till completion of Restg. As reported earlier also, on JTO to SDE promotion, the top BSNL management did not taken any decision till today regarding two crucial issues, i) Vacancy position and ii) Reservation in promotion.

Any report coming otherwise is not correct as those leaders sitting far away from BSNLCO and from the reality do not know the real facts.

i) Vacancy position in SDE cadre: As a policy matter, BSNL management took a decision earlier that promotion to all the cadres will be done after the completion of restructuring. Earlier CMD/BSNL decided in the file that LDCE for JTO to SDE promotion will be notified only after completion of Restg, for the vacancies available after VRS and Restg. So far, top BSNL management not gave any green signal to the Pers section for the promotion from JTO to SDE alone under SCF quota before completion of Restg. In that case same treatment has to be given for all the cadres.

It may take few months to complete the Restg process in BSNL.

ii) Reservation in promotion: It is another important issue to be addressed by the management before taking any decision for conduction of DPC. After the DoT clarification on Reservation in promotions dated 13.10.2020 and the Hon CAT/Chandigarh orders, BSNL is not able to decide on this important issue. Giving promotion without reservation will lead to severe opposition and many litigations. Similarly giving promotion with reservation, not following Nagaraju judgment also will lead to many litigations and contempt of court.

Even though we are going ahead with the preparatory work, DPC work will start only when the decision of the management made known. All these developments going on made us to focus on the implementation of new promotion policy of non post based promotions which is the final solution. That will also give promotions from 01.07.2018 to the Executives, another major advantage. Promotion to all the eligible Executives will make all happy and satisfy the Executives fighting for promotion. Disparity in promotion is the major reason for litigations, that also after the approval of new promotion policy which assures PARITY. We hope that understanding the ground realties others also will decide to support it. Ultimately we have to see that our Executives are getting promotion and career progression. Associations should not seal the future career progression of the SDE/AOs, especially the young JTOs including the LICE JTO/JAOs, GATE JTOs and the 2015/2017 JAOs which is opened through the new promotion policy.

It has come to our notice that some members of SNEA, AIGETOA and AIBSNLEA filed petition in Jabalpur CAT regarding JTO to SDE DPC and promotion. It is learned that they are demanding 1:1 ratio promotion to SDE cadre as demanded in the court cases at Chennai and Ernakulam which stopped the promotions from 2010 onwards. Some section is making propaganda that SNEA members filed the case. It is to clarify that the applicants belongs to different Associations and as usual vested interests trying to put the blame on SNEA to cover up their total failure and false promises.

We would like to emphasise that SNEA never support anything which is stopping the promotions. As usual, our focus is on the welfare and promotion of all the Executives and we are working for that.

GS writes to Shri. Anshu Prakash, Secretary (Telecom).

Resolution passed in the Central working Committee (CWC) meeting  of Sanchar Nigam Executives Association (SNEA) held on 31.10.2020 and 01.11.2020 regarding DoT approval for the standard pay scales of E2 and E3, replacing the intermediary pay scales of E1A and E2A w.e.f 01.01.2007.

GS writes to Shri. Arvind Vadnerkar, DIR(HR).

Fixation of seniority of SDE(T) in seniority lists 6, 7, 8 and 9 – Request for revision of SDE seniority lists 6, 7, 8 and 9 with uniform criteria by a common interpretation of the Hon Supreme Court judgment.

View Corporate Office Orders:

CMD Review Meeting -DG Rationalization reg.
BSNL CDA Rules, 2006 updated up to 05-11-20
Transfer order of SDEs (Telecom) - retention reg.
Transfer order of SDEs (Telecom) - Cancellation reg.
Tenure transfer orders of SDEs (Telecom) - Retention reg.
Transfer order of SDEs (Telecom) - Modification  reg.
Tenure transfer orders of SDEs (Telecom) - Cancellation reg.

View Corporate Office Orders:
Transfer and posting in the grade of Accounts officer – reg.
Transfer and Posting of AGMs(T) / DEs (T) reg.
Cancellation- Retention in the grade of Accounts officers reg. Tenure transfer of SDE (Telecom) reg.
Cancellation of Inter circle transfer of SDE (Telecom)- reg.

As per the decision of the Central Working Committee meeting of SNEA held on 31.10.2020 and 01.11.2020, notice issued for Promotion in all streams upto AGM Grade from 01.07.2018 onwards:

Demands:

1. Promotions in all the streams upto AGM equivalent Grade w.e.f. 01.07.2018 based on the BSNL Executive Promotion Policy Amendment & Recruitment Rules, 2017 (BEPPARR 2017) approved by the BSNL Board on 28.05.2018, maintaining Uniformity and Parity in promotions among equivalent Grades in different streams. Honour the Terms & Conditions for absorption in BSNL, Non-post based promotion upto E6 scale.

2. All promotions upto DGM Grade on Regular basis. No Looking After promotion in any Grade upto DGM Grade.

Trade Union Programme:

1. Lunch Hour demonstration at BSNLCO, Circle and SSA HQs on 02.12.2020.

2. Observing Protest Day on 10.12.2020 by wearing Black badges.

3. Twitter Campaign on 17.12.2020 demanding promotion from 01.07.2018.

4. Hunger Fast at BSNL CO and Circle HQs from 04.01.2021 to 08.01.2021 from 10 AM to 06 PM.

5. Indefinite Hunger Fast at BSNLCO and Circle HQs from 15.02.2021 onwards.

As we decided in the CWC, actual TU programms will start from January, 2021 to facilitate any promotion taking place in between. However our struggle is for their promotion from 01.07.2018 itself. 

Final All India Eligibility List of JTOs:

On 12.10.2020, BSNLCO circulated the All India Eligibility list (AIEL) of JTOs recruited upto 2001 (Gen/SC cat) and JTOs recruited upto 2005 for ST category. 

The Final AIEL is ready for publishing. 

BSNLCO took actions to cancel the AMC for the OLTs supplied by Alphion at extra ordinary high rates w.e.f. 31.12.2020. There will be huge savings for BSNL. SNEA took up the case with BSNLCO vide letter dated 16.10.2020.  

In fact extra ordinary high AMC cost of 9% given to Alphion OLTs procured long back on very high rates. New OLTs are available between Rs 1 lakh to 1.5 lakhs in the open market with 3 years warranty where as BSNL is paying about Rs 1.75 lakhs per OLT per year as AMC for the old, outdated Alphion OLTs. Alphion refused to upgrade the equipments from 32 to 64

Our vigilant SNEA/Kerala team brought this to our notice and the notice of CGM/KRL. We promptly took up with the management. Congratulations to SNEA/KRL.

View Corporate Office Order:
SDE Inter circle Transfer order reg.

Central Working Committee (CWC) decisions --contd:

1. DoT approval for Standard Pay Scales of E2, E3 replacing the intermediary pay scale of E1A and E2A w.e.f. 01.01.2007.

This is the most important HR issue, affecting all the Executives recruited after 01.01.2007, CWC observed. Settlement of E2 and E3 pay scales will resolve many issues. CWC was very much critical about the non–resolution of this issue by DoT and BSNL management for many years. After detailed discussion CWC resolved that if this long pending issue is not resolved in a reasonable time by DoT and BSNL through discussion, Association should launch TU actions to settle it.

2. BTCL and related issues:

At the time of proposal for formation of BTCL moved to Cabinet in 2013, it was mainly to tap additional revenue through Tower sharing. That time many private operators were available. Now situation changed and there is not much scope for Tower sharing as the number of other operators came down to 3.

To justify the BTCL, now DoT and management is talking about the savings on AGR. At the same time, silent on JV and management control, liability on BSNL for paying rentals to BTCL etc.

CWC decided to oppose the BTCL as it will lead to disinvestment and strategic sale in the form of Joint Venture in the near future as per Cabinet decision. The rentals for the BTSs on BTCL Towers will become another big financial burden for BSNL.

3. Implementation of 3rd Pay Revision:

After the VRS, the number of employees came down drastically, more than 50%. Now the matter has to be further pursued, CWC decided.

4. Enhancement of Superannuation Benefit to BSNL recruited employees:

After the success of the Sovereign Bond for Rs 8500 Crores, slight improvement is there in the financial condition of BSNL. The matter is to be further pursued.

The formation of separate Trust for PRMB instead of BSNLMRS also come under discussion. Hardly 20% of the BSNL pensioners are covered by CGHS as the facility is available at limited places. If BSNL is not able to contribute to the Trust after its formation, the limited amount available in the Trust after its formation will be sufficient only for meeting the medical expenditure of the retirees for few years. So BSNL revival is the only viable option to have better medical facilities. The issue to be examined further.

5. Promotion to DGM on regular basis and promotion to higher posts.

CWC demanded that all the eligible DE/CAOs should be made Regular DGMs instead of Adhoc DGMs. The remaining DGM(T/F) posts should be filled on Regular basis instead of LA arrangement by giving one time relaxation in qualifying service.

CWC strongly opposed the LA arrangement given by BSNL management instead of Regular promotion.

6. EPF Full Pension option:

13 Circles provided the data. The remaining Circles asked to submit the data within one week so that the details can be furnished to the lawyer for filing in the Hon Supreme Court.

7. Pay loss issue of Rs 22820/- for 2007/2008/2010 rect DR JTO/JAOs:

As decided in Bangalore CWC, the draft petition for filing the petition is almost ready and we will be filing the petition shortly.

For monitoring the progress in the court case and to assist the CHQ, a 5 member committee formed with Com Pavithra Singh, CS/UPE as the Chairman.

8. Pay loss for the LICE JTO/JAOs who recruited as JE between 01.01.2007 and 07.05.2010:

Earlier, the Bangalore CWC decided that pay loss issue should be limited to 2007/2008/2010 rect DR JTO/JAOs. After examining the matter and deliberations, CWC decided to take up the pay loss issue of the JEs recruited between 2007 and 2010 and become JTO/JAO also and to explore the possibility of legal options. For assisting the CHQ, a 6 member committee formed with Com Vismay Oza, CWC/GUJ as the Chairman.

9. E1+5 Increments for the post 2010 Rect JTO/JAOs:

We are exploring the possibility for extending this benefit as an interim measure till the approval of E2 and E3 scales, based on the Presidential Order issued by DoT on 28.03.2017, provided it will not have adverse impact on our demand for E2 and E3 pay scales. It will be discussed with DIR(HR) in the meeting next week.

10. Notional pay of E1A and E2A for Civil/Elect wings w.e.f. 01.10.2000:

DoT is not agreeing to this proposal. Since the proposal is having financial implications on BSNL and DoT, DoT stand is very crucial. We will further pursue the matter and have to explore all the options.

11. Uniform TBP between 4 to 5 years instead of 4 to 6 years w.e.f 01.10.2000:

Management collected the required date to examine the financial implications. Once CPSU CH, extending the first TB promotion after 5 years is implemented, it can be further pursed. Thousands of Executives are affected by this. Since it is having big financial implications as thousands of Executives recruited from 1993 to 2001 are involved, DoT stand on this issue is very crucial.

12. Intl MT Recruitment.

The result of Intl MT to be declared expeditiously, CWC demanded. Possible support also will be extended to the applicants for the same, CWC decided.

Central Working Committee (CWC) decisions:

Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting unanimously decided to launch strong Trade Union programs from 01^st week of January, 2021 for implementing the Non Post based Time Bound Functional promotion (BEPPARR 2017) after every 5 years with Uniformity and Parity in Promotions among equivalent cadres in different wings, w.e.f. 01.07.2018.

Initial phase of TU programs will be after 1 month, in the 1st week of December. CWC took this important decision taking into account of the fact that even after two years, management is not at all taking any action to implement the new promotion policy, which will give smooth career progression to the Executives.

CWC decided to wait for maximum 2 months, upto 31.12.2020 for the implementation of BEPPARR 2017 (CPSU CH) by the management. In the meantime, we will continue to work wholeheartedly for any promotion/ DPC as it materialises.

However, our demand for the implementation of promotion through BEPPARR 2017 (CPSU CH) w.e.f. 01.07.2018 will continue as it is, irrespective of the status of DPC/ Promotion. The promotions so materialises will be replaced with the promotion through BEPPARR 2017 from 01.07.2018.

CWC come to the conclusion that CPSU CH Promotion from 01.07.2018 is inevitable and cannot be compromised because:

1. Promotion through BEPPARR 2017 (CPSU CH) will only give promotion for all the eligible Executives with parity.

2. Promotion through BEPPARR 2017 only will give the promotion from 01.07.2018 and parity with those promoted in June, 2018.

3. Service from 01.07.2018 (2 ½ yrs) will be counted for future promotions.

4. Restructuring will drastically reduce the number of posts.

5. Executives from other streams and cadres also can get promotion.

6. There is no scope for further promotions, beyond SDE/AO.

7. Even after DPC/promotion, reservation issue will lead to litigations. 

Central Working Committee meeting held on 31st October and 01st November, 2020. CWC will be continued on 07.11.2020 from 04 PM.

Important decisions will be updated in a day or two.

Editorial

Launching of 4G services, key for BSNL Revival. BSNL is missing the opportunity to launch the 4G services by linking the BTS upgradation with the new tender.

The BSNL employees believed that the BSNL Revival package has the potential for Revival of BSNL mainly because it allotted 4G spectrum to BSNL for providing 4G services. In this fierce competitive filed, BSNL cannot sustain for a longer period without 4G services.

BSNL revenue and customer based started shrinking when one operator launched 4G services in September, 2016 with predatory pricing. BSNL struggled to retain the 3G/2G customers but could not succeed due to lack of 4G services. There was no match for the data speed offered by other operators through 4G network. Present Port-In to Port-Out ratio in all Circles is the clear indication of the present trend of customer choice.

After lot of struggle and victimizations, the employees got the revival package approved by the Govt. But BSNL management failed to utilise the opportunity fully by acting swiftly on launching 4G services by upgradation of the 49,300 4G compatible BTSs and procuring another  15,000 4G BTSs through Add on order of the existing phase VIII.4 tender. Management lost the focus and precious time by clubbing upgradation and Add on order with the new tender for about 8500 Crores. That has backfired on BSNL. It is natural that any new tender processing will take 6 to 9 months. Before floating the new tender on 23.03.2020, management had full 5 months to act upon and negotiate for upgradation and Add on orders. If that had happened, BSNL 4G services could have launched before 01.04.2020. Unfortunately during those 5 months, BSNL top management focus was only on VRS and staff reduction, not on the company and its future.

BSNL lost precious one year. By this time, BSNL could have stabilised the 4G services with about 65,000 4G BTSs, covering all major cities including Dist and Taluk HQs.

BSNL is having limited options. Delink the upgradation and Add on order from the new 4G tender and take Govt support for the upgradation and Add on order alone. The equipments are already installed and used in BSNL network. Core equipments are already available. It is very cost effective also. Without much expenditure, in 3 months time, BSNL can launch the 4G service with very good coverage.

Simultaneously BSNL can go for roaming and spectrum sharing with other prospective TSPs by exploring Intra-Circle roaming of BSNL customers on their 4G network, LSA wise on a mutually beneficial revenue sharing platform.  BSNL management may also consider the relevant guidelines in the Spectrum Trading Policy announced by the Govt. of India in 2015-16, so as to try judicious utilization of the commercial spectrum available with BSNL in 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz for providing immediate 4G services as a Virtual Network Operator (VNO) to the BSNL customers using relevant models available in Intra-Circle roaming pacts in RAN/Core on LSA basis.

If this model is successful, we can save precious time for 4G launching. Further huge money, thousands of Crores spending for 4G roll out with an estimated cost of about 8500 Crores through the new Tender also can be saved. In any case, new tender is going to take minimum 2 years. In that situation, it is better to scrap the idea of new tender and wasteful expenditure for new 4G tender with about 8500 crores. BSNL need not spend much for 4G as the focus is shifted to 5G. 4G will be an intermediary phase. The investment can be done for 5G network, which is the ultimate solution.

These are all big business decisions and the BSNL Management has to act with professionalism and vision to take the company forward. Cost cutting measures not going to revive BSNL.