AIGETOA : Advocating Fairness and Transparency in Transfers

AIGETOA : Advocating Fairness and Transparency in Transfers

Dear Esteemed BSNL Executives,

Standing Against Misinformation

In recent times, certain associations have chosen to spread misinformation about AIGETOA and the longest stay transfer policy being implemented by BSNL. However, let’s set the record straight. AIGETOA firmly believes in transparency and fairness, unlike some associations that seem to be running “Transfer Shops.”

Recognizing the Positive Impact

These associations have even praised the transfer policy to the management, recognizing its positive impact. Unfortunately, their intentions appear to be driven by personal interests, as they have been offering alluring promises of retention, cancellations, and modifications to entice executives.

AIGETOA’s Proactive Approach

AIGETOA stands against such false assurances. We want to emphasize that the management’s motive behind these transfers was to address the shortage in certain circles only. Instead of taking a comprehensive approach, specific association leaders sought uniformity in transfers for all circles, even extending their influence to the courts.

Legal Compulsions leads to Mass transfers

As a result, BSNL had to commit in court to implementing the transfer policy diligently, leading to transfers from shortage circles like Karnataka, J&K, and Gujarat, including for our lady officers.

AIGETOA’s Innovative Solutions

Contrary to this, AIGETOA took a proactive stance. We provided executives under transfer with an OTP window, allowing them to choose their preferred circle. Additionally, we are working on easing the challenges faced by our lady employees, aiming to provide them with relaxation similar to Child Care Leaves and for those above 50 years.

Transparency in Action

Our commitment to transparency shines through in the transparent OTP policy, a result of AIGETOA’s dedicated efforts. We have ensured that the request transfers applied through OTP are published by BSNL and Circle offices.

AIGETOA’s Vision for the Future

What truly sets us apart is our policy-driven approach. While some association leaders may have resolved specific cases only for few, AIGETOA’s leaders have focused on demanding policy changes that benefit all. We’re advocating for displaced executives to return to their parent places within 2-3 years, along with the retention of quarters and families.

Vote for AIGETOA @3: Your Voice for Fairness

In the end, let’s remember that Transfer Posting isn’t a mere shop for profit. AIGETOA is committed to ensuring the best for all executives, safeguarding their interests, and upholding the principles of transparency and fairness. Join us in our pursuit of a brighter future for BSNL executives. Your vote for AIGETOA @3 is a vote for fairness and transparency in transfers. Together, we can make a positive impact and stand up for what’s right.

JAI BHIM SEWA of BSNL have extended support to AIGETOA and have appealed to all the SC/ST fraternity to vote for AIGETOA :

In continuation to AIGETOA inclusive approach with support and cooperation from all likeminded groups who want a strong and united voice for resolution of the long pending HR issues, another major welfare association ā€œJAI BHIM SEWAā€ have also extended support to AIGETOA and have appealed to the SC/ST fraternity to vote for AIGETOA. They have expressed belief and confidence in the steps taken by AIGETOA to safe guard the constitutional provisions extended for the SC/ST community.

JAI BHIM SEWA is a major platform which have sizeable presence across various circles of BSNL and they have been also working for the welfare of SC/ST employees of BSNL. Their support to AIGETOA is basically an endorsement to the approach of AIGETOA contrary to the smearing campaign being spread by another group.

Click here for the Letter of Support from JAI BHIM SEWA

Click here for the glimpses of Joint Meeting with JAI BHIM SEWA

Click here for MoU

AIGETOA has always stood for the protection of constitutional rights and firmly reassures one and all that it will continue its endeavours for the welfare of the executive community and will always stand firmly for protection of constitutional rights extended by Government of India.

E2-E3 SAGA : Facts on Standard Pay Scales

E2-E3 SAGA : Facts on Standard Pay Scales

Did you know..? BSNL Executives Lost 3 Chances for getting E2/E3 Scale..

Chance_1 : During BSNL Formation, The Legacy Associations of BSNL & MTNL bargained under the platform of ENC (Executive Negotiating Council), MTNL got E2 Pay Scale but BSNL received only E1A.

Chance_2 : 2nd PRC Implementation Time, 2nd PRC directed standard pay scales should be adopted by all PSUs. In 2nd PRC, BSNL was classified as A+ Category, So got 30% fitment & 78.2 % DA Merger, but legacy associations accepted Category D pay scales, as to lower the pension contribution towards DoT. BSNL was earning 10000+ crores profit. So the scale implementation was much easier that time.

Chance_3 : Official reduction of E1 Scale through JTO RR-2014. The PayScale E1A was officially degraded to E1 which in turn affected the E2 prospects. This draconian measure of degradation affected entire LICE & DR JTOs from 2016 onwards. AIGETOA untiring organizational & legal efforts, BSNL management already made submissions to DoT for E2/E3 Scales.

Should we loose 4th Chance ….? Merger of MTNL as subsidiary of BSNL.

This merger with HR restructuring, We get a good chance to bargain back the E2/E3. So Choose & cast your VOTE wisely.

Discussion on Roadmap & Efforts for GOI Pension Scheme for those BSNL Employees who are recruited with DoT/GOI Notification – Update on Meeting held on 06.08.2023 :

On 6th Aug 2023, A great splendid interactive session of Shri Ravi Shil Verma GS AIGETOA conducted with regard to roadmap & efforts for obtaining GoI Pension Scheme for those BSNL employees who were recruited with DoT/GoI notification before formation of BSNL.

The Session was presided over by Sh G Veerabhadra Rao AIP AIGETOA. The session was specifically designed for executives and non-executives of BSNL, irrespective of their association affiliation, who under went recruitment process which initiated before the formation of BSNL but were appointed after its establishment for the Vacancy/Recruitment/Notification related to the Government of India, Department of Telecommunications.

The session was attended and interacted by Chief Patron Sh A A Khan, Sh PN Sharma Chairman, Dy. GS Sh Pavan Akhand, Sh D K Sahoo Vice President. CHQ Joint Secretaries Sh Amit Roy, Sh Kamlesh Deo, Sh R N Mishra, Sh Suresh Kumar, Sh Rakesh Kumar were part of the interactive session.

Sh Wankhede Ji Senior leader along with many leaders of MH joined, Many leader of UPE also joined the session.

During the session, it was established that this specific group of employees is fully eligible for the extension of pension benefits under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. This claim aligns with the latest office Memorandum No: 57/05/2021-P&PW(B) dated 03.03.2023 issued by the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW). The memorandum was further endorsed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with endorsement no 36-03/2019-Pen(T) I/3096083/2023 dated 17.4.2023, along with the support of various court judgments, including recent Supreme Court decision, which were thoroughly discussed with all stakeholders.

The Online Interactive Session witnessed active participation from approximately 300 stakeholders, who provided valuable inputs on the matter. Recognizing the gravity of the issue, which directly impacts the livelihoods and future security of dedicated employees whose recruitment process commenced before the formation of BSNL but were appointed after its establishment for the Vacancy/Recruitment/Notification pertaining to the Government of India, Department of Telecommunications and in pursuit of transparency and accountability in addressing their grievances, the following resolutions were adopted:

1] Sh Ravi Shil Verma GS AIGETOA, detailed the actions taken by AIGETOA on this issue and committed to expeditiously raise the matter with BSNL, DoPT, DoT, and MoC for earliest resolution.

2] It has been proposed to establish a study group, chaired by Mr. T Senthil, SDE GMSC Coimbatore, Tamilnadu Circle comprising 10 members with expertise in this matter, irrespective of their association affiliation. The study group’s primary responsibility will be to examine the legal rulings on this issue, gather supportive documents, and coordinate with the stakeholders.

3] AIGETOA will actively pursue this matter with the Ministry of Communication and DoT, accompanied by the representatives of aggrieved members, irrespective of their association affiliation for further discussions in upcoming meetings, and appointments have been sought with the MoC office.

4] The General Secretary of AIGETOA emphasized that this meeting is entirely unrelated to the upcoming membership verification and association affiliation. All members aggrieved by the issue are earnestly requested to participate in this further discussions and support the proposed actions irrespective of their association affiliation.

We appreciate your active engagement in this critical matter and assure you that every effort will be made to address your concerns. The association remains dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of its members and all BSNL executives.

The AIGETOA MA is working on this issue from a very long back and also will work in the multiple directions with the firm decision to pursue this DoT / Old Pension Scheme to the employees who have joined in our beloved BSNL with the DoT / SSC/ GoI notifications. So AIGETOA is requesting all the officers to be United until it is resolved.

Though DOT has given a negative reply today but that will not deter us from pursuing on the issue and we will take all efforts to ensure that the rightful Pension under CCS Rules is extended to the eligible executives.

Sh Ravi Shil Verma, GS AIGETOA – Significance of association in BSNL :

Listen to Sh. Ravi Shil Verma, GS AIGETOA who without any bias has explained the significance of association in BSNL. These two videos of 5 minutes and 1 minute contain certain questions which every executive must ask from himself. Your answer to these 6 minutes will decide future of executives in BSNL. We request all executives to go through this video and answer the following questions.

Update on discussion with PGM SR on 27.06.2023

GS AIGETOA Shri Ravi Shil Verma has a detailed discussion with PGM SR over the phone and the Team of All India President Shri Veerabhadra Rao, Chief Patron and National Convener AIGETOA Shri A A Khan, AGSs Shri Yogendra Kumar and Shri Sunil Gautam and had follow up discussion with PGM SR on the following:

Issuance of Template for capturing Data for Cadre Strength Review:

As informed earlier, Restructuring Cell has finalised and submitted the draft for approval. After approval, the same is likely to be issued in a day or two.

Modification in Immunity Guidelines:

Though SR cell has processed the case, but some of the suggestions of association w.r.t the OA immunity and Circle office body was not considered. Accordingly, we have sought another meeting with Director HR and CMD BSNL.

Appeal by Sh Sunil Gautam, A LICE JTO & AGS AIGETOA CHQ :

Please listen to the appeal made by Sh Sunil Gautam, LICE JTO and AGS of AIGETOA. He is sharing the facts and efforts of AIGETOA for resolving the pay related issues and cautioning you to beware of the false propaganda created by some people who have no knowledge of the issue. They are creating propaganda just to satisfy their bosses. AIGETOA has a clear plan and vision to resolve these issues. Hence, my earnest appeal is to support AIGETOA.

Updates of Team AIGETOA Meeting with Director HR, PGM (SR), PGM (Pers) for discussion on various issues over the period dated 5th June 2023 to 13th June 2023:

AIGETOA CHQ has decided to publish a weekly update on status, level of persuasion and outcomes associated pertaining to various issues related to Executive Cadre. To start with, we are publishing the updates for the period 5th June to 13th June and hereinafter, weekly update shall be regularly updated on every Monday for the information of all the executives.

Last Week and this week Team AIGETOA comprising of All India President Shri Veerabhadra Rao, GS Shri Ravi Shil Verma, Dy GS Shri Pavan Akhand, AGSs Shri Yogendra Kumar and Shri Sunil Gautam met various authorities and had multiple meetings at the level of Director HR, PGM (SR & Restg), PGM (Pers), CGM (CNTx-North) and discussed the following issues:

Start of Process for Review of Cadre Strength:

The matter was strongly taken up before Director HR and PGM (Restg) and after detailed discussion finally instructions were given to start the cadre strength review process. Thereafter the Restructuring Cell has already initiated the review exercise. Association shall be giving its input in next few days. We are quite hopeful of increase in number of posts across all the cadres and streams in view of the increased revenue as well as because of new government projects like 4G saturation, Bharatnet, FTTH to Villages etc. AIGETOAā€™s firm emphasis shall be on sufficient increase in number of posts so that executives across various cadres and streams get a smooth career progression.

JTO to SDE DPC and increase in number of posts for DPC as well as LDCE:

We raised the matter pertaining to the long-awaited promotions in JTO to SDE cadre. We highlighted that Management must move ahead with a progressive thought process. Various complexities associated with the DPC process was discussed. We are hopeful of a positive outcome soon.

We also highlighted that the root cause of all problems is not filling up the vacancies of Pre-VRS and its high time that management must do a rethink on a current procedure adopted and instead should fill up the year wise vacancies available in the Pre-VRS ERA which will end the various disputes in fact across all cadres and streams. Further we have also requested for counting the SDE vacancies against Look After Posts in AGM Cadre which will also increase the number of vacancies. We are quite hopeful that management will definitely give a rethink on the approach adopted and ensure that sufficient vacancies are available for covering all the eligible JTOs in both the quota.

SDE to AGM Promotions:

We once again reminded management about their earlier commitment and to ensure that sufficient vacancies are available in AGM cadre for ensuring the promotions of all eligible SDEs. We also requested for considering the methodology which we have presented during the agenda meeting which was subsequently discussed with CMD BSNL also and there was a broad consensus on towing that line. We expressed our regret on the reluctancy on the part of Pers section for moving ahead with the SDE to AGM Promotions by making sufficient vacancies available by virtue of diversions and rearrangement within the defined strength. The matter is under discussion and deliberation at the level of Director HR and we sincerely feel and hope that finally management will move ahead with the proposal submitted by AIGETOA to ensure the promotions of all eligible. We also requested management to ensure that speaking order issued by BSNL in Madras High Court must be followed in letter and spirit and any deviation from that will result into a contemptuous act by BSNL for that the sole responsibility shall lie on Pers section only.

AO to CAO promotions:

We requested management for trying to get the stay vacated at Honā€™ble Chandigarh CAT and if needed the appeal should be filed before Honā€™ble High court to seek vacation of stay on the promotions. Further, we also requested for diversion of vacancies from SET quota to DPC quota which will ensure that promotions of all the eligible AOs can be done to CAO grade. We highlighted that AIGETOA will never allow recruitment of SETs and hence instead of keeping the vacancies on hold, the same must be diverted to DPC quota which will end the dispute.

DE to DGM Promotions:

We requested for filing an MA at Honā€™ble Chandigarh CAT wherein we requested for submissions of BSNL with regard to fulfilling the directions of Honā€™ble Court as now the decision at the highest level has already been taken for following the DoP&T guidelines for reservation in promotions and there is no ambiguity as such over the methodology to be adopted as concurrence of DoP&T has also been obtained on the methodology adopted by BSNL. Itā€™s high time that management stops calling the promotions as provisional and should move forward with promotions in AGM Cadre to DGM cadre by filling up all the available vacancies. Management agreed to our request and assured that after taking legal opinion, matter shall be pursued either at Honā€™ble CAT Chandigarh or at Honā€™ble Supreme Court where the SLP is pending.

DGM (Adhoc) to DGM (Regular)

We requested for continuing the services of Senior Advocate and also requested BSNL for filing an appeal at Honā€™ble High Court. The same was agreed by management side.

SDE 2007 reversal issue:

Matter was deliberated at length with the Director HR and committee members. The discussions were positive and we hope that things will soon fall in line. We sincerely hope that management will extend justice to the affected candidates and we firmly assure that AIGETOA will ensure resolution, come what may.

OTP cases including transfer cases of KTK Circle and waiting list of other hard tenure Circles and changes in Transfer Policy:

It was assured that OTP cases shall be processed in this week including the ones from Karnataka Circle on which there is a firm assurance that the cases shall be considered based on the criteria of date of application when the executive first time applied for OTP. We further highlighted the precarious scenario where one executive is getting transferred within circle, thereafter Inter Circle. We requested for a moratorium on transfer of the executive in Inter Circle also for at least five years if he/she has already undergone transfer within the circle. We requested for a centralized transfer policy where an executive doesnā€™t faces repeated transfers, first within the circle and then Inter Circle. We further highlighted the arbitrary selection of choice circles where in an executive higher in waiting list is not getting his first or second choice while another executive getting the same station despite being junior in the waiting list. We also requested for publication of waiting list in OTP cases also and publication of vacancies available in circle so that an executive can make an informed choice in OTP window. Management side agreed to explore the suggestions and we are hopeful of a positive outcome on the above suggestions. Maximum use of automated procedures and minimum use of discretionary power is the demand of AIGETOA and transparency in the process is a must.

Extending the Laptop Policy for field units also:

Association extended its thanks for approving the Laptop Reimbursement Policy and requested for immediate replication of the same for executiveā€™s upto JTO/JAO/Equivalent level in the field units. Management Side assured to positively consider the same for field units also.

Revision in the TA/DA/Allowances at current market rates:

Director HR appreciated the concern and assured that needful action shall be done to revise the same.

Association Immunity Policy:

We requested for keeping the letter dated 14.10.2022 held in abeyance at least till next MV. It is anticipated that management will take a considerate view on the same.

Friends,

Above are the update on the persuasion made by Association in Last Few Days and the outcome associated with the persuasion. All we can assure is that AIGETOA is fully committed to resolve the PPP issues and things are moving on a positive note on the issues related to promotion and restructuring. In next few days, AIGETOA shall be knocking the doors of the highest echelons in DoT and Nodal Ministry to ensure precipitation and resolution of the financial issues including the Pay Scale issues, Pay loss issues, 30 Percent SAB, 3rd PRC, Pension Revision. All these issues pertain to the policies of government and hence we must have to pursue at the highest level and our association AIGETOA is fully committed to go to any extent to ensure the resolution of these financial issues. Further our Legal team has finalized the Legal aspects and association has decided to take the legal recourse also for ensuring the resolution of all the pay loss related issues.

Further a detailed meeting of the Director HR and other senior officers of HR group has taken place with the leaders of the Forum of BSNL Associations on 13th June 2023 wherein issues related to MSRRs, promotions in various cadres, immunity, transfer policy etc has been discussed. The detailed update shall be shared at the platform of Forum in due course. Discussion of that meeting has also ended on a positive note.