Meeting with Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR) on 27.05.2020

General Secretaries of SNEA and AIBSNLEA and AGS/SNEA met DIR (HR) and had a brief review of the developments on promotion to different Grades, in continuation to the discussions held on 05.05.2020.

On implementation of promotion policy, DIR(HR) informed that PGM(Pers) is seriously working on it. This can be the only viable option to give promotion due to court cases and reservation, Director opined. We explained the relevance of date of implementation as 01.07.2018, otherwise all the eligible Executives will lose 2 years of service and it will have serious implications for their future promotions. Already eligible Executives are not available for promotion to the higher grades. After VRS scenario, some more changes can be made, especially promotion to AGM/CAO Grade by reducing the residency period from 12 years for the existing SDE/AOs etc in higher scales. Since thousands of Executives are eagerly waiting for promotion, we requested to consider the changes after the implementation, by taking the proposal to the Board for approval. DIR (HR) was positive on further improvements. The concern over reservation can be overcome by incorporating the Board direction on reservation in the policy to make it in compliance with Govt policy. Further discussions will be held next Tuesday or Wednesday as PGM(Pers) will complete the assigned job by this week. After that DIR(HR) assured to take it to CMD.

On the proposed move to drastically reduce the AGM+DGM posts and other posts, we objected strongly. DIR(HR) reiterated that discussions will be held with the Associations before taking any decision. After completion of discussion within the Management, discussions will be held with the Assns.

On the review of sanctioned strength due to VRS, we suggested to distribute the upgraded AO and AGM posts among the Circles.

We requested for DGM(Regular) promotion for those already working as DGM(Adhoc) in the Telecom/Finance Stream.

On reversion of the 2001 rect JTOs passed the LDCE 2007, next meeting with the Committee will be arranged next week. We expressed our gratitude for finalising the TOR which can address the issue.

Meeting with Shri Arun Kumar, PGM(Pers) on 27.05.2020

General Secretaries of SNEA and AIBSNLEA and AGS/SNEA met PGM(Pers) and had discussions on promotion to different Grades through implementation of CPSU Hierarchy, DGM(Adhoc) to DGM(Regular) promotion in Telecom/Finance Stream, review of sanctioned strength due to VRS, 2001 rect JTOs passed the LDCE 2007 etc.

PGM informed that as per the direction of DIR (HR), he is studying the policy and it will be completed by next Monday. Discussions held on various aspects like Date of implementation, Promotion without DPC for the Executives working in higher scales, incorporating the Board direction on reservation to make it compliance with Govt policy etc. In the post VRS scenario we can make further improvements as the eligible executives number has come down drastically, we suggested.

Further discussions held on review of sanctioned strength due to VRS, DGM(Adhoc) to DGM(Regular) promotion in Telecom/Finance Stream, 2001 rect JTOs passed the LDCE 2007 etc.

View Corporate Office Order:
Transfer and Posting in the grade of AOs.
Transfer and Posting on Own cost in the grade of AOs.

Retirees in April 2020 - Retirement benefits as per new Dearness relief  reg  - View Instruction of DoT.

Terms Of Reference (TOR) of the committee announced:

During the discussion with the Committee members by both GSs regarding the issue of reversion of 2001 Rect JTOs passed the LDCE 2007, Committee members informed that they are waiting for the Terms Of Reference of the Committee. We brought this to the notice of DIR(HR) and PGM(Pers), next day itself. We requested to include: examining the eligibility of 2001 rect JTOs passed the LDCE 2007 with reference to SDE RR 2002 and the clarifications issued with reference to LDCE 2007. Now BSNLCO issued the TOR as we suggested. The focus is on resolving 2001  rect issue, segregating them from 2002 rect JTOs.

It is a great breakthrough in the case. So far the eligibility was examined by BSNL and the court cases defended based on the 30.07.2010 clarification issued during LDCE 2010 and the clarifications issued on 16.04.2007 and 10.07.2007 during LDCE 2007was not at all considered or produced in the court.

Drastic cut in number of posts on the anvil in the name of Restructuring:

It is learned that through Restructuring and Review of assets, management is considering drastic reduction in the combined strength of AGM and DGM equivalent Grades in all the streams (Telecom, Finance, Civil, Electrical, Arch, TF, PPS and CSS) and AGM+DGM number in all the streams combined together will be about 3300 – 3500. The present combined sanctioned strength of AGM+DGM is 8953. In other words, drastic reduction of posts proposed, by about 65%. The final figure will be divided in some ratio between AGM and DGM. If it happens, then it will stop almost all the promotions to AGM and DGM Grade in all streams as we are apprehending.

This is in the name of Restg and M/s Deloittee recommendation. The same Consultant M/s Deloittee, in 2014, recommended an increase in the number of AGM(T) posts from 5303 to 6172 and DGM(T) posts from 1331 to 1607. After 6 years, the same consultant makes recommendation for drastic reduction of posts. This establish that the Consultant is acting on behalf of the Management and what management requires, that report is given by the Consultant, without making any work study.

Similar cut in the number of posts can be anticipated in other Grades also (SDE/AO and JTO/JAO equivalents). The provisional norms issued in December, 2019 by Restg cell indicates that and the Circles can work out the revised sanctioned strength of the Circle based on that provisional norms and find out the revised strength.

We may have to go for strong organizational actions in the near future if management is not coming forward and discussing and settling the matter.

Management is dragging the promotions to complete the Restg process, making assurances one after another. Restrg should not take away the promotional avenues of the Executives working in BSNL. On review of the assets, large number of posts will be surrendered in addition to the posts surrendered due to VRS. Knowing the adverse effect of Restg on post based promotions, we are insisting for Non-post based Time Bound functional promotion in all the streams. 

GS writes to Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director(EB):

1. It is absolutely necessary to introduce a foolproof digital platform for provisioning, monitoring, maintenance and billing of Leased Circuits to ensure best Quality of Service (QoS) complying with the SLAs to our esteemed high value EB customers. Improvement in the billing system with e-stapled billing is absolutely required for the high end bulk customers like Banks etc demanding consolidated bill, state wise, for their convenience of making payments on time:

2. More closure of Leased Circuits reporting from Circles:

3. Covid situation and lock down --- Rebate may be given to the customers:

View Corporate Office Orders:
AGM tenure transfer order reg.
Regarding Safety from Fire Accidents reg.
O & M and functioning of the Admin Off during the lockdown period w e f 18-05-20 in view of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Open policy for engaging RBSP for providing BB -Voice services - Clarification reg.
Transfer and Posting on promotion of executives in the grade of DGM-Adhoc-modification reg.

Note submitted to the Committee members on the Reversion of LDCE 2007 passed SDEs, who are 2001 Rect year JTOs.

Meeting with the Committee dealing with the Reversion of 2001 rect.JTOs passed the LDCE 2007 and become SDE in 2008:

As reported yesterday, the meeting with the Committee comprising Shri H C Pant, CGM(Legal), Shri Arun Kumar, PGM(Pers) and Shri Sourabh Tyagi, Sr GM(Estt) took place today (19.5.2020) at 4.00 PM. General Secretaries of SNEA and AIBSNLEA participated in the meeting. DIR (HR) arranged this combined meeting.

We demanded that the matter should be decided by examining their eligibility as per the provisions of Schedule 12, Note 5 of the SDE RR 2002 and with reference to the clarifications issued by BSNLCO dated 16.04.2007 and 10.07.2007 in connection with LDCE 2007 Notification dated 09.02.2007. So far, the eligibility was examined with reference to BSNL CO clarification dated 30.07.2010, issued for the subsequent LDCE 2010. This clarification implemented retrospectively, 3 years after the conduction of LDCE and Promotion orders. The Show Cause Notice and other actions taken against 2001 recruited JTOs based on BSNL CO clarification dated 30.07.2010 should be withdrawn, we demanded.

The file notings of 2007 and the clarifications dated 16.04.2007 and 10.07.2007 makes it clear that 1 year relaxation is applicable for LDCE 2007.

For deciding Senior-Junior clause, the All India Eligibility list of JTOs to be reckoned, it was decided in 2007 which is very well clear from the file notings. Hence all the 2001 rects. of TN Circle become eligible.

All Circles (A&N, AP&TL, AS, BR, CHG, CHTD, GUJ, HP, JKD, KRL, KTK, MH, MP, NE- I, NTR, RAJ, UPE, TN and WB)  interpreted the clarification in the positive manner and allowed all the 2001 recruited JTOs who completed 2 years of Service.

There is no direction from any Courts to revert the 2001 rect. JTOs, we argued. In various Courts, the dispute was whether the eligibility is to be decided as on 1^st July of the Vacancy Year OR 1^st July of the Year of Examination, in which Court decided that it will be 1^st July of the Vacancy Year. In that case also 2001 rect. JTOs become eligible. Only 2002 rect. JTOs appeared in the LDCE 2007 become in-eligible as per the Court order as not a single 2002 rect JTO completed 3 years of service as on 01.07.2005 to invoke Senior –Junior clause.

The PCAT order based on BSNL clarification dated 30.07.2010 for LDCE 2010 was wrongly applied for LDCE 2007 also, which has created the problem.

The dispute occurred when BSNL issued Show Cause Notices to the 2001 Rect. JTOs, not completed the 3 years qualifying service for appearing in the LDCE, based on the BSNL CO clarification dated 30.07.2010 in a retrospective manner, citing Court orders on clarification dated 30.07.2010. It is a clear violation of the clarifications issued in 2007. The clarification issued on 30.07.2010, after the conduction of the LDCE 2007 should be applicable prospectively, not retrospectively.

Finally we demanded to decide the matter based on the SDE RR and the clarifications issued on 16.04.2007 and 10.07.2007 and the file notings related to LDCE 2007. The Show Cause and reversion based on the Court order should be limited to 2002 rect. JTOs appeared in the LDCE, we emphasised.

The Committee made an important observation that the 30.07.2010 clarification cannot be given retrospective effect and for the LDCE held 3 years earlier, in 2007. However, they sought some time to go through the records and the various Court judgments which made BSNL to revert the SDEs.  

Both General Secretaries will meet the Committee Members and the Director (HR) again after one week.

Meeting with Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, DIR(HR) on 18.05.2020:

General Secretaries of SNEA  and AIBSNLEA met DIR(HR) and held discussions about the progress in Promotions to various Grades as per the assurances given in the detailed  Agenda meeting with DIR(HR) on 05.05.2020. It was a follow up meeting.

DIR(HR) informed that he directed the PGM(Pers) to work out on the New Promotion Policy as it has come to the conclusion in the last meeting that Post based promotion is not at all feasible atleast for few years due to the Reservation issue. PGM(Pers) could come to office today after long break due to Nationwide Lockdown. We explained that irrespective of category, ST/SC/OC category Executives are waiting for promotion for years together. For example, 2001 recruited JTOs of SC and OC category and 2002 Rect JTOs of ST category are waiting for promotion to SDE Grade even after completion of 18 to 19 years of service. But as per the New policy, all the JTOs completed 5 years of service, irrespective of ST/SC/OC category will get promotion.

We further explained the urgency for issuing promotion as in almost all the cadres, except AO cadre, more than 60% positions are vacant. In many important grades, it is more than 90%. In this situation how BSNL Revival is possible, we asked. Director (HR) reassured early action in this regard.

Meeting with Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, DIR(HR) on 18.05.2020:

On the Reversion of SDEs of 2007 LDCE, on our continuous pleadings to find out an early solution, Director(HR) arranged a meeting with the Committee on 19.05.2020, tomorrow itself at 4 PM.

GS writes to Shri. P. K. Purwar, CMD/BSNL against undue delay in promotions:

BSNL Executives are waiting for their Regular promotion from 01.07.2018 onwards through the amended EPP approved by the BSNL Board on 28.05.2018 which provides non-post based time bound functional promotions upto AGM Grade in E4 scale as followed in other CPSUs. There is No financial implication for BSNL or DoT. After VRS, upto 95% positions in important Grades lying vacant, seriously affecting the field functioning. Executives are getting demoralized day by day and it started affecting the services and the revenue. Look after arrangement should be stopped; instead, Regular promotion is to be provided for the smooth career growth of the Executives as assured by DIR(HR) and his team in the meeting held on 05.05.2020.

In order to overcome the litigations related to Seniority and Reservation which arise out of the Govt. structure followed by BSNL and to change over to the CPSU structure, BSNL management decided to switch over from “Post based promotion followed in Govt. Depts” to Time Bound functional promotion policy namely, “BEPPARR 2017 or CPSU Cadre Hierarchy” as followed in all other CPSUs by amending the existing EPP 2007.

Promotion to all the eligible Executives is due from 01.07.2018 onwards.

BSNL top management and those in the Board level are getting atleast 4 to 5 promotions. Can they simply ignore the fact that JTOs recruited in 2001 year through an All India Competitive examination from among lakhs of applicants are waiting for their first promotion? Thousands of Executives in higher scales are working in the entry level of JTO for 5 to 30 years (joined in 1988) and waiting for their 1st promotion?

When a Group A Officer in BSNL gets time bound promotion along with designation change from E4 to E9 scale with the designations of Asst General Manager à Dy General Manger à Jt GM  à Addl GM in 17 years and then GM to Sr GM also, a JTO(T) joined in 2001 is still continuing as JTO! JTO(Arch) joined in 1988 still continuing as JTO!

The Pers section knowing very well that post based promotions are not possible in the near future due to litigations but not taking any proactive steps to overcome it.

There is no financial implication for BSNL or DoT.

Naturally, everyone expected that the due promotion will be given during the implementation of VRS.

The LA arrangement should be purely temporary one and should not be extended as LA service is not counted as service for future promotions.

[Note: The small window we got for JTO to SDE promotion for about 4500 vacancies shattered by one Association and its activists (most of them are already SDEs through LDCE and not bothered about DPC) by filing contempt petition at Ernakulam CAT and dragging the CMD/BSNL to court. Management was made all preparations to fill up all the SDE vacancies through a single DPC till CAT directed to initiate contempt proceedings against CMD/BSNL on their petition, in the month of January, 2019. All the vacancies in all other cadres filled up on 29.06.2018.]