Details of the discussion with BSNL management on 20.09.2018 on the charter of demands of the agitation programs from 24.09.2018 onwards:

BSNL management invited SNEA for discussions on various issues raised in the charter of demands. GS, CHQ President, AGS and Jt Sec(C) attended the meeting. DIR(HR), GM(SR), GM(Pers) and DGM(Estt) was present from management side.  The discussions continued for more than one and half hours on various issues.

At the outset DIR(HR) informed that BSNL management is taking very serious efforts to implement CPSU Cadre Hierarchy which is already approved by the BSNL Board, to settle E2 & E3 pay scales and other issues and discussion is going on at different level to resolve the issues, the proposed agitation programs from 24.09.2018 is to be avoided. All the genuine demands are getting attention and management is sincerely trying to resolve them. Thereafter discussion started on the various demands:

1. Notify and implement BSNL Executive promotion Policy Amendment & Recruitment Rules, 2017 (CPSU Cadre Hierarchy) w.e.f. 01.07.2018 which is approved by the BSNL Board and solve the huge stagnation in different cadres. Bring Parity and Uniformity in promotions among equivalent cadres of different wings. All the existing vacancies in different cadres like SDE(T), CAO etc shall be filled notionally w.e.f. 29.06.2018 as per the earlier rules.

DIR(HR) informed that management is very seriously working on it. BSNL Board already approved it and management spent more than 2 years to finalise the policy, which is going to benefit all the executives. While approving the new promotion policy, BSNL Board directed to ensure that Govt policies on reservation is followed in the new policy also. This matter is under examination.

Meanwhile the matter come up before the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the welfare of SCs and STs also, along with several other issues. The Committee called the management on 19.09.2018. Initially CMD and DIR(HR) sought exemption from personal appearance due to the Board meeting scheduled for 19.09.18 but later on decided to attend the meeting. The Full BSNL Board meeting scheduled for 19.09.2018 was cancelled for this purpose which reflects the seriousness shown by CMD and DIR(HR) on this issue.

The Committee formed will complete the formalities and submit its final report by next week and thereafter it will be submitted to the competent authority. Management is trying its level best to implement it at the earliest by taking everyone into confidence, DIR(HR) assured.

Comrades, now the issue is moving in the right direction and results are expected without much delay. We are working with the management for the early notification and its implementation.

On promotions, DIR(HR) informed that whatever promotions and upgradations done, it lead to litigations and contempt of court. Court cases increased only. CMD is not at all in favour of any more upgradation. JTO to SDE promotions also will be considered once contempt is withdrawn. On AO to CAO promotion, it was informed that the stay is vacated, the DPC is on and promotion orders can be issued as soon as the legal opinion is received from the Sr lawyer from whom the opinion sought. On our specific request to consider JTO to SDE promotion under SCF, where the seniority can be decided later on, finally DIR(HR) agreed to have further discussion with GM(P) on this matter. However mgt expressed its doubt how promotion can be effected without publishing AIEL? As per HC order, only provisional promotion (same as Adhoc/Offtg/LA promotion which does not give seniority or counting of service) can be given in the ratio 1:1, before publishing AIEL. The contempt case at Ernakulam filed by AIGETOA activists is the major hurdle for JTO to SDE promotion where more than 5,500 vacancies are available.

2. Approval of E2 and E3 pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2007 replacing the intermediary pay scales of E1A and E2A for all the post 2007 recruited JTO/JAOs, SDE/AOs and equivalent cadres.

DIR(HR) explained the efforts taken by the mgt by deputing BSNL Officers to DPE for explaining the matter to DPE officials. Mgt is committed to E2 and E3 scales and all possible measures will be taken to settle it. CMD will write a DO letter to Secretary in this regard to expedite the approval of E2 and E3.

Assn also informed DIR(HR) and others the continuous efforts taken by it. Assn met the Hon Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Shri Anat Geete and requested his intervention to modify the DPE reply. As per the intervention of the Hon Minister, we are trying to meet the Secretary/DPE in this regard.

E2 and E3 pay scales is the most important HR issue for the BSNL Executives, like the new promotion policy, which is to be resolved at the earliest, we demanded. DIR(HR) assured that CMD and DIR(HR) will work together with the Assn for the settlement of E2 and E3 scales.

3. First Time Bound Financial Upgradation as per EPP-2007, uniformly after 4 years, instead of 4 to 6 years.

We explained the matter to DIR(HR). The JTO/JAOs recruited from 1993 to 2001 got their first TB promotion in 5 or 6 years where as the juniors are getting it after 4 years. This is the anomaly created after the implementation of 2^nd PRC with 30% fitment and 78.2% IDA merger. This anomaly referred to the Khan Committee. Khan Committee recommended CPSU Hierarchy after 5 years by reducing it from 6 years as in EPP. On the same line, recommended the first TB promotion for the earlier rects also after 5 years. But this anomaly can be settled only if the first TB promotion is extended uniformly after 4 years, Assn told. The informations regarding the number of Executives affected are already collected from the Circles. After discussion, GM(Pers) informed that the details will be processed in a couple of weeks and will be submitted to the competent authority.

It is a very positive development as mgt so far reluctant to process the case on the plea that BSNL Board and DoT will not agree for the amendment of EPP with retrospective effect, from 01.10.2004.

4. E1+5 increments for the post 2010 rect JTO/JAOs and equivalent cadres.

The benefit of E1+5 increments is not extended to the thousands of JTO/JAOs rected after 2010. The new rects are getting the pay of Rs 16400 only where as earlier batches are getting minimum E1+5 increments. The pay loss of these JTO/JAOs recruited in 2010(SRD), 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 etc are huge. Thousands of LICE JTO/JAOs also affected and they are also drawing less than E1+5 increments. Even the PO issued by DoT on 28.03.2017 extended Rs 18850. Taking the benefit out of that, E1+5 increments may be extended to the remaining JTO/JAOs recruited after 2010.

Management is very sympathetic to this demand. It was informed that the proposal for E1+5 increments for the JTO/JAOs recruited upto 2014 is pending in the BSNL Board since, 2015. BSNL Board took a stand that it will be approved only after the approval of HR plan. For remaining JTO/JAOs, Board is not ready to consider E1+5 as they are recruited in E1 scale. We strongly objected this as the E1 pay scale is a provisional pay scale and even the pay scales in the RR for JAO, JTO(C/E) etc are still E1A.   

We demanded that as per the PO issued by DoT, E1+5 can be extended. We have to find a way to extend it without notifying the PO issued by DoT, we demanded. Management assured to discuss it further to find some way out, keeping the demand for E2 and E3 scales intact.

5. E1A and E2A scales notionally w.e.f. 01.10.2000 for the JTOs and SDEs in Civil, Electrical, TF, Arch, PA, PS etc and equivalent cadres.

This proposal is already approved by the MC of the BSNL Board and placed before the full BSNL Board for its approval. However DoT objected it stating that E1A and E2A scales can be extended only to those working in the corresponding CDA scales before 01.10.2000. The JEs and AEs were not in that sale on 01.10.2000, so it cannot be considered. The presidential order issued at the time of absorption cannot be altered now, according to DoT. We explained the background and the need to bring parity in the pay scales as on 01.10.2000 for all the equivalent cadres. Moreover the JTOs and SDEs of these streams are working in the same pay scales for a few months which is a serious anomaly. Recently AD(OL) case also settled like that. Finally it was agreed to examine it, whether it can be implemented without altering the PO issued on 01.10.2000, to overcome the DoT objection.

6. Increase the DGM(T) posts, atleast by another 800 for maintaining a ratio 1:4 and filling up all the DGM(T) vacancies on regular basis.

Increase in DGM(T) posts is a demand we raised 1 year back. The number of DGM(T) posts was less, comparing to any other streams. 1331 DGM(T) posts are available against the 5303 AGM posts. Even the available DGM(T) posts, maximum were occupied by the ITS officers on deputation which further affected our limited promotional avenues.

The creation of another 3410 AGM posts recently through upgradation strengthened our demand for increasing the DGM(T) posts atleast by another 800. Now the total number of AGM post is 8713. Moreover, the number of AGMs after implementation of CPSU Hierarchy will be between 8500 to 9500, so naturally the DGM posts is to be increased, we argued the case with full justification.

Finally management in principle agreed to our demand for increasing the DGM(T) posts to maintain a reasonable ratio. It is to be further discussed and worked out whether it can be done through HR plan or through cadre review. It will be a major breakthrough for the cadre after the CPSU Cadre Hierarchy approval. Similarly for other streams also, same ratio will be worked out.

On DGM(T) promotions, BSNL is filed a MA in the Hon CAT to vacate the stay citing the vacation of stay in a similar case, AO to CAO promotion. It is expected to hear on next Monday. The original case is listed for 27.10.2018 only. Once stay is vacated, DPC will be held including the DRDGM vacant posts and promotion orders will be issued.

Comrades, the extensive preparations for the agitation programs by the CHQ and the Circles compelled the management to invite SNEA for negotiation. We had made extensive arrangements for the agitation programs. The response from our activists was so positive, they were solidly with CHQ supporting from all the corners. In addition to CS and CP, large number of activists planned to reach New Delhi from far off places to participate in the agitation. It shows the commitment and conviction of our comrades on the issues. It is a great break thorough, now management assured us to work together to settle the issues in a time bound manner. Congratulations to one and all.

We are extremely grateful to CMD/BSNL, DIR(HR) and other senior officers for the timely intervention to resolve the issues through discussion. Further we are very happy to note that we could do it without going into agitation, through negotiations especially when we are fully involved in the field units for the revival of BSNL. Once again, congratulations to one and all.