GS AIGETOA writes to Director (HR), BSNL Board with a request to settle the grievances and concerns raised by LICE candidates regarding Question Paper and to expediting the process for declaration of results and promotions thereof.

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Concerns and Proposed Remedies:

Improperly framed questions and incorrect answers:

Proposed Remedy:

Discard wrong questions and reduce the total score, or award marks to all candidates, regardless of whether they attempted the question or not, due to negative marking.

Alternative Remedy:

For questions with multiple probable answers, marks should be given to all candidates.

Immediate display of the answer key and attempted question paper:

The answer key and attempted question paper should be made accessible to candidates through their login portals, as mentioned in the process.

No objection fee for answer/question corrections:

As an internal departmental examination, there should be no fee charged for correcting answers or questions. Associations representing (both majority and support) should be permitted to raise objections on their behalf.

Expedited process with maximum available vacancies:

The request to expedite the promotion process, maximizing available vacancies, and enhancing the LICE quota as a one-time measure.

Timely display of results and promotion orders:

The process of displaying results, addressing objections, and issuing revised answer keys should be completed by April 30, 2024, to facilitate the prompt issuance of promotion orders.

GS AIGETOA writes to CMD BSNL Shri P K Purwar Ji raising the concern about the demotivation and unrest among BSNL executives due to a lack of career progression opportunities. GS highlighted the need for promoting all eligible SDEs, Account Officers who have completed their residency period through the DPC route, as assured by the Hon’ble MoC and management during various meetings.

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AIGETOA highlighted the gross injustice faced by BSNL executives regarding promotional avenues. Despite suggestions and appreciation from the Hon’ble MoC and management, the resolution of promotional issues has not been prioritized, even though it bears no financial implication for BSNL.

AIGETOA emphasizes the need for justice for executives who cleared the LDCE in 2012 and have been working in the SDE grade for over 10 years, with their seniority pushed down through no fault of their own. AIGETOA suggests that promoting all eligible SDEs to the AGM grade can resolve this issue. Additionally, the association proposes the implementation of an upper cap on the residency period for promotions across various streams, including Telecom, Finance, CSS, Civil, Electrical, and Architecture, through personal upgradation of incumbent posts.

Criticizing the current HR policy, AIGETOA argues that executives should not be forced to appear in LICEs at every level, unlike ideal PSUs that offer time-bound promotions to entry-level executives. They attribute the majority of court cases to the introduction of competitive exams in BSNL, leading to disillusionment and frustration among executives.

The letter also highlights the ongoing legal challenges to the recruitment of MT (Management Trainees). AIGETOA demands the management to scrap the arbitrary MT Recruitment Process and divert the seats to the DPC Quota.

Association urges the BSNL management to ensure a minimum career progression up to the AGM level through personal upgradation and the creation of promotional posts without increasing the total sanctioned strength. We also request the utilization of vacant posts in the Telecom, Accounts, and Finance cadres for DPC promotions and the diversion of SETs and DR DGM posts for DPCs to create additional opportunities.

The association hope that the BSNL management will recognize the demotivation among executives and direct the HR unit to complete the promotions of all eligible executives through the seniority cum fitness mode, providing expeditious relief.

GS AIGETOA writes to Director (Finance) Shri Rajiv Kumar with request for the creation of an online facility in the Employee Self Service (ESS) portal for employees to choose their preferred “Tax Regime Option” for the financial year 2024-25.

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Every year, BSNL employees are required to manually submit tax declaration forms, which is a time-consuming and inefficient process. In letter dated April 5, 2024, the BSNL management instructed employees to furnish their declarations using Form 12BB to the concerned DDOS/AO(Pay/HCM/Cash) by April 20, 2024.

To streamline this process, the association urge the Director (Finance) to incorporate a feature in the ESS module of the ERP portal, which would allow employees to select their preferred tax regime (Old or New under section 115BAC) and save their particulars electronically.

The introduction of an online facility offers several advantages, including eliminating the need for manual submission, reducing errors, streamlining data management, and enhancing efficiency in tax administration.

AIGETOA believes that implementing this proposal will not only alleviate the burden on employees and administrative staff but also contribute to overall operational efficiency within BSNL.

GS AIGETOA writes to BSNL Management conveying the Strong resentment amongst Executives against Special Privileges Granted to Management Trainees – breaking seniority hierarchy, posting MTs as OA head and direct reporting to BA Head – A Complete violation of BSNL hierarchy structure, extending additional privileges going beyond the existing rules while the same benevolence is invisible while dealing with the cadre issues of Executives belonging to Telecom, Finance and other streams.

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GS AIGETOA writes to Director HR for permission for “On-Duty” travel & timely relieving along with exemption from election-related duties/works for Internal Exam (LICE) aspirants.

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Thousands of employees have submitted their candidature for the said exam working across nook and corner of BSNL and many of employees are stationed at locations that are quite distant from the designated examination centres. This geographical dispersion poses significant logistical challenges when it comes to reach the examination centres.

Given the extended duration of the exams, which goes up till 8 pm, it is becoming increasingly challenging for employees to return on the same day after traveling long distances. Therefore, AIGETOA raise consideration in granting “on-duty” travel permissions to all eligible employees, enabling them to participate smoothly while ensuring minimal disruption to their routine work responsibilities.

Additionally, AIGETOA highlights the fact that the internal exams coincide with the forthcoming parliamentary elections, slated to begin from April 19th. The convergence of these two critical events might potentially lead to conflicts in terms of scheduling and prioritization. Keeping this in mind, GS AIGETOA requested Director HR to exempt all eligible executives involved in preparing for these internal exams from any election-related duties or works until the completion of the examinations on April 18th. By doing so, we believe that they can concentrate wholeheartedly on their preparation and performance during the assessment period.

GS AIGETOA writes to Hon’ble Minister of Communication Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji on the Consistent neglect of inner talent pool of BSNL executives and management’s undue focus on making lateral recruitment on higher posts persons with the same qualifications and no experience, creating two level of intake with similar qualifications, conduct of theoretical examinations at each level instead of providing a comprehensive promotion policy to the executives of BSNL and totally closing the promotional avenues of executives of BSNL by one or another reasons – Urgent SOS call to protect the career progression aspects of BSNL Executives and directing BSNL management to ensure the promotions for all eligible executives at least up to AGM level in a time bound manner. In the letter, GS AIGETOA seeks the benign attention of MoC on the discussions held in various meetings and the assurance to scrap the lateral recruitment policy of BSNL.

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As per discussions held in Agenda Meeting dated 9th February 2024 and in the tripartite meeting held subsequently on 16th February 2024, GS AIGETOA submits the inputs of AIGETOA on Extending the standard pay scales of E2 to JTO/JAO/equivalent grades and E3 to SDE/AO/Equivalent grades. The objection raised by DoT on the five time bound up-gradations can be easily overcome by ending the discrimination in grant of JAG Selection Grade Pay Scale as E7 to absorbed Group ‘B’ Executives in accordance with DOT letter dated 26.08.2008 and DPE OM dated 24.12.2012 and inclusion of the same in EPP – It will impart great motivation to the Young Executives necessary in view of recent revival package and vast business by the Govt to resurrect the BSNL. In the Tripartite meeting held on 16th February 2024, GS AIGETOA was asked to submit the reasoned representation against the contentions raised by DoT for negating the replacement of E1A and E2 A pay Scales by E2 and E3. In the representation, AIGETOA has submitted the counter reply to the contentions raised by DoT and how the Scales can be replaced without cascading and not disturbing the five Time bound upgradations as per EPP.

Click here for the Letter to Member Services

Click here for the Letter to Director HR

GS AIGETOA writes to Director HR BSNL Board regarding unfair cancellation of Punjab Circle Limited Internal Competitive Examination (LICE) for VY’s 2015-16, 2016-17 & 2017-18 in JTO (T) Cadre. GS AIGETOA submits its strong objection to the differential treatment given to different groups under similarly placed circumstances and requests to initiate the training for JE to JTO promotions.

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Dear Members,

We are pleased to inform you that following a series of productive discussions and meetings, the recent organizational action notice issued by AIGETOA CHQ has been withdrawn. We would like to extend our gratitude to all members for their patience, cooperation, and support throughout this process.

A brief overview of the developments leading to the withdrawal of the action notice is as follows:

Re-conciliatory Meeting with Management:

A meeting chaired by the Director HR, with the presence of PGM (Pers) and PGM (SR), was held on 2nd February 2024. Management acknowledged the concerns raised by AIGETOA and assured prompt and appropriate action on the demands raised, particularly demand number 1.

Assurance on Provisioning of adequate resources and Revision of various Allowances:

Management committed to revisiting the issues related to resource allocation, revision of TA/DA, accommodation, mobile reimbursement limit, Pan India Laptop Policy and other allowances. These matters were slated for detailed discussion in the agenda meeting scheduled for 9th February 2024.

Thereafter an appeal was issued by management for withdrawal of the organisational action program. However, we expressed our unwillingness on the withdrawal in the absence of firm actions from management especially on the issue number 1.

Click here for the Appeal by Management

Meeting with UP (West) Circle Management: Following the issuance of an appeal by management, another meeting was held on 02.02.2024 wherein it was informed that UP West Circle has been directed to investigate and act urgently on the matter. The UP (West) circle management thereafter convened a meeting with AIGETOA at Ghaziabad which was attended by the BA head of Ghaziabad, Representatives of UP West administration, Representatives of Ghaziabad BA admin and District/ Circle office bearers of AIGETOA and CHQ nominees from AIGETOA.

Click here for the Meeting Notice

In the bilateral discussion, the issue was discussed in detail and was resolved to the satisfaction of both the sides.

Follow-up Meeting with BSNL Corporate Office:

Subsequent to the bilateral meeting held at Ghaziabad BA, the report of the UP West Circle was forwarded to BSNL CO along with the minutes. Thereafter the CHQ officers of AIGETOA along with GS had another meeting with Director (HR), PGM (Pers), BSNL CO and PGM (SR), BSNL CO on dated 05.02.2024. The updates of the action taken by UP (West) circle administration and also the issue of lack of resources were discussed and the assurances given on 2nd February 2024 were reaffirmed.

Click here for the Minutes of the Meeting

Withdrawal of Organizational Action Notice:

In light of the positive developments and reaffirmed commitments from management, AIGETOA CHQ has decided to withdraw the organizational action notice. We remain hopeful for further positive outcomes, including the consideration of the revision of TA/DA/Allowances in the upcoming agenda meeting on 9th February 2024.

Click here for the AIGETOA Letter with respect to the withdrawal of lunch hour demonstration

Friends, it’s the matter of fact and record that AIGETOA is never hesitant in raising the issues of genuine concern and we once again re-affirm that whenever the need arises, we will be there standing firmly with the executives on the genuine issues. However, at the same time we believe that the approach should be pragmatic and result oriented and give all possible chances to amicable resolution with pointed discussions across the table.

We sincerely appreciate the efforts of all involved parties in resolving these issues amicably. We express our gratitude to Hon’ble Director (HR), PGM (Pers), PGM (SR) and CGM (UP–West) for their active involvement in resolving the issue to the satisfaction of all concerned. We also express our appreciation for our CHQ nominees Shri A A Khan and Shri Vaibhav Goyal, Circle AIGETOA Team of UP (West) under the leadership of Shri V K Yadav CP AIGETOA, Shri Nageendra Pratap Yadava, CS AIGETOA and the District Team of AIGETOA Aligarh Shri Vikas Kumar for handling the issue in perfection. We also express our gratitude to the leaders of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) for their active support, guidance and involvement in the matter.

Let us continue to work together towards the betterment of our beloved organization BSNL and the welfare of all members.

AIGETOA served notice for countrywide Lunch Hour Demonstration at BSNL CO, all Circle Headquarters and BA Headquarters by executives on 6th February 2024 highlighting the critical issues impacting the working environment and resource allocation within the organization.

Click here for the notice for Lunch Hour Demonstration

AIGETOA highlighted the below issues:

1] Alleged abusive behavior by one of the BA Heads and targeting the executives with use of unparliamentarily, threatening and intimidating verbatim.

2] Forcing Executives to perform official works without provisioning of sufficient resources by BSNL.

Demands:

1] Immediate action as per the applicable Conduct Rules and Law of Land concerning the Ghaziabad BA incidence.

2] Provisioning of sufficient resources to enable executives to execute their day to day official duties. Till that time, executives should not be compelled to use Smartphone and other resources for day to day works of BSNL by spending money from their own pockets. Such use must be made voluntary.

3] Revising the TA/DA/Accommodation rates to “at Par market rates” so as to avoid financial loss to executives while performing the field and outstation duties. In this regard a committee may immediately be constituted with members from management and association side to arrive at mutually agreeable solution.

Program:

Lunch Hour Demonstration at BSNL CO, Circle Headquarters and BA Headquarters by executives on 6th February 2024.

We appeal to all executives irrespective of their association affiliations to come together and raise the voice against the violation of rights of executives. This program is being observed as a call attention program with a hope that management will seize the opportunity and address the genuine concerns raised in the notice.

If the situation continues like this, AIGETOA will not hesitate in escalating the programs further and will take the issues at all levels.