TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATION (INDIA)

ERNAKULAM   BRANCH

 

 

Dear comrades,

 

            At the Annual General Body meeting of Ernakulam branch of TESA (I) held on 12/09/2002, new office bearers and Executive committee members were elected. Throwing to the wind the illmotivated   propaganda of certain group of people, the meeting was well attended by large number of members including ladies. The details of the office bearers and E.C Members are given below.

 

I.       President                           Com.P.N.G.Kaimal, DE (Extl.) Thodupuzha

II.     Vice President                   Com.K.Ramakrishnan, AGM(NS&Mrkt) O/oPGMT ENK

III.   Secretary                           Com.C.K.Sukumaran, DE (Coms) O/oPGMT ENK

IV.  Treasurer                           Com.C.K.Mathai, SDE CP IV O/oPGMT ENK

V.    Asst. Secretaries

1)     HQ            Com.A.R.Mohanan, SDE Extl Tripunithura

2)     Welfare     Com.K.G.Raviappan, SDE Trans Plg O/oPGMT ENK

3)     STSR& Non Rectt units  Com.K.J.Joseph, DE HQ O/oPGMT ENK

4)     Publicity    Com.Sebastian Jose, SDE A/T Thodupuzha

VI. Organizing Secretary

1)     Urban        Com.Balakrishnan Nair.B, SDE CP IIO/oPGMT ENK

2)     Kochi        Com.T.K.Mangalandan, SDE CC Kochi

3)     Aluva        Com.N.Monian, DE Trans Aluva

4)     MPZ          Com.M.N.Velayudhan, SDOT Perumbavoor

5)     TDP           Com.Jose Thomas, SDET Karimannur

VII. Circle Executive Committee Members

1)     Com.M.D.Pankajakshan, AGM Cable Plg I, O/oPGMT ENK

2)     Com.K.M.R.Warrier, DE switching Instan I ENK

VII. Executive Committee Members

1)     Com.C.K.Sadasivan, AM TDP

2)     Com.Rema Mohandas, SDE OCB Boat Jettey X’ge ENK

3)     Com.A.G.Ramachandran Nair, SDE Circle A/T Dn ENK

4)     Com.Reetha George, SDE Cables P Nagar

5)     Com.T.K.Dayandan, DED’TAX ENK

6)     Com.K.Santhakumari, DE Extl. Palarivattom

7)     Com.K.Ragunandanan, DET Trikkakara

8)     Com.Valliammu, DE , WI

9)     Com.K.R.Aravindakshnan, DE Kochi

10) Com.P.Sudhakran, SDE CXL O/D, Aluva

11) Com.Betty Joseph, SDET Angamally

12) Com.M.S.Valsa, SDE Intl. Parur

13) Com.Mathew.K.Kuriakose, SDE (CDOT)Perrumbavoor

14) Com.P.Venugopal, SDE Cables Tripunithura

15) Com.T.Sreekantan Nair, SDET Kollencherry

16) Com.Paul Varghese, SDE Trans Muvattupuzha

17) Com.P.P.George, SDET, Pothanikad

18) Com.M.J.George, SDET Arakulam

19) Com.K.N.S.Nair, DET Adimaly

20) Com.M.P.Kontalam, DET Peerumedu

21) Com.V.I.Kuriakose, DET Kavarathy

22) Com.G.Sudhakara Kaimal, SDET&TD A/T ENK

23) Com.T.K.Velayudhan, DE Tran Insn, Palrivattom ENK

24) Com.T.K.S.Warrier, DE Computer O/oPGMT ENK

25) Com. Bright.K.S (ex-officio)

IX. Auditor (Nominated)     Com.Elizebath Joseph, DE Extl Muvattupuzha

 Click here for phone numbers etc.

            The Annual General Body was addressed by Com.V.E.Thomas, Circle President, Com.T.N.Varghese, Circle Secretary, Com.Sreekumaran Nair, Org Secy. (South) HQ, Com.Nanukuttan, CWC Member, Com.Khalid, Circle Treasurer and Com.Ravindran Pillai, Asst.Circle Secretary. They stressed the need for united and strong action under the banner of TESA (I) to achieve our goals. The action of a tiny group of people which included two CWC members and a few office bearers at the Circle and branch levels has not caused any impact on the working of TESA (I). The splinter group could not form any branch in the circles other than in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Kerala the effect has not been felt anywhere except in Ernakulam. In Ernakulam itself we are aware that this group of people who were leading the Ernakulam branch for the last 5 to 6 years could take away only a small group with them. Even this itself has been achieved by false propaganda & coercive tactics  and even misusing the leverage achieved   by the organizational strength of TESA. Every one of common sense can understand that as individuals we are nothing in front of the administration, and the strength of the office bearers is that of the association and not their own. Truth always prevail and the members who were misled will definitely realize the falsehood spread among them, understand the true position of the cases, and the stand taken by TESA (I) in retaining the prominent position occupied by TESA (I) and its members.

 

            Let us analyse the reasons for the action of the people for forming the separate group and keeping away from the main stream. It is alleged that Com.Basu, the General Secretary is an autocrat who does things according to his whims and fancies and he does  for the well being of the members of TES Group B and officers promoted therefrom.  Com.Basu is a General Secretary duly elected by the Representative council of TESA (I), which was attended by the members of this splinter group also as the delegates of TESA from Kerala. One of these delegates had even contested the election to the post of Asst.General Secretary ignoring the decision of the delegates meeting. This person on losing the contest is now raising the bogey of autocratic action by the duly elected General Secretary who is trying only to implement the decision taken at various C.W.C meetings and annual conferences. In fact  Com.Basu was brought as the General Secretary of TESA(I) after a gap of about two years of his promotion to TES Group B and he was forced to wear the mantle of General Secretary when nobody else was ready to take over the crucial and thorny post. At that time also there was an effort from some interested corners led by an individual to make the association defunct.

            We find one person proclaiming himself as the General Secretary of a unit formed for his personal gains and exhorts others to follow him, proclaiming himself as the saviour of TES Group B officers. In Kerala Circle those who have benefited from his favours, when he was the General Secretary of the organisation of the members before his promotion, immediately responds to pay their respects for the favours received from him.

ACP

This group of people accused the General Secretary of TESA (I) that he has not taken up the case of ACP to ensure time bound promotion. The fact is that ACP was discussed at various forums and was rejected by the working committee at Simla where those two CWC members (now in the splinter group) were active participants. This was also confirmed by the representative council during the All India conference at Lucknow. The records speak themselves in this regard. Efforts are being made to retain the newly promoted JTOs in TEOA on the basis of an amended constitution of TEOA, which has not been approved by Dept of Telecom/BSNL. It is interesting to note that the general secretary of TEOA, even though promoted to TES Group B on regular basis, has not yet assumed charge as permanent Group B officer and is continuing as officiating TES Group B officer to avoid  acting against the provision of the approved constitution of his association. He is also sure that the ITS bosses who are being supported by himself and his members will, not act against his interest.

 

Opposing absorption

Crocodile tears

            We have seen in the case of Group C&D employees how their united stand has worked wonders for them. This splinter group among us was spreading rumours that even the Rs.1000/-  paid to Group C&D from 01/10/2000 on wards also will have to be refunded since the pay and perks that will be granted to Group C&D will be very low, since they have opted for joining BSNL without ascertaining the terms and conditions pay, perks, etc. These prophetes of doom have now been proved wrong and the stand of TESA(I)  that it is better to get into BSNL and fight united for achieving better pay, perks and condition of service stands vindicated. The Group C&D employees have been granted increases in pay and better service conditions like point to point fixation, which, perhaps, they themselves did not think of. They have got as arrears amounts to the tune of Rs.50,000/- apart from the Rs.24,000/- they have received during the last two years. Had wiser counsels prevailed among this group the TES Group B officers and JTOs  also would   have got the advance payment of Rs.2000/-per month by now and would have received the arrears early. These persons who have acted against the interest of the employees do not deserve any pardon for their disruptive actions.

Saviour of the Seniors!

            Recently a Euphoria has been created among senior TES Group B officers (Stressed) who have become Ad hoc Des on purely temporary basis that they are eligible for selection grade in STS and that this has been agreed by BSNL at the behest of this splinter group. No body will be naïve enough to believe that BSNL or Dept of Telecom will simply agree to an important decision of this type just because some individuals have asked for it. The leaders of this group could not even get trade union facilities for their BSNLEA and the leaders of BSNLEA are availing their leave on personal account or other methods to attend their meetings. They quoted an order of the DO (P&AR) of June 2000 which stipulated that an officer in group A who have completed 4 years in JTS and is a regular Group A at present and is promoted on Ad hoc basis to JAG shall be granted selection grade in Group A on completion of 5 years in Group A. No such  Group A officer existed among those promoted from JTO to TES Group B and to Group A on regular basis. The order also stipulates that 30% of the posts should be earmarked from Group A posts for this purpose. These provisions helped only ITS officers who were directly recruited to ITS and TESA(I) found that implementation of this order of DO(P&AR) would be harmful to the interest of TESA members. Had these orders been implemented 30% of Group A posts would have been earmarked for selection grade and kept vacant by the circles without making any officiating promotion from TES Group B. Comrades, let us remember the proverbial person “who ran with a rope on hearing about the delivery of the ox”

 Deputation allowance

                        There was a demand from the splinter group about grant of Rs.3000/- as deputation allowance. Now - a- days nothing is being heard about it. This demand was only to serve the interest of some ITS officers who have obtained a lease of five year period to be absorbed in BSNL. It is learnt that high ranking ITS officers have already advised the lower level ITS officers of the urgent need to join the mainstream by opting for BSNL at the earliest opportunity, lest they are left out of the race and be the loser in the end.

 

            Another offer of the splinter group to the Ad hoc DEs is to get them absorbed at the level of Group A in BSNL. On analysis it can be seen that this is not immediately feasible as absorption of Group A officers has not been initiated by DOT/BSNL. Stand of TESA(I) is that let us get absorbed as Group B first and then claim for the   posts of Executives at the higher level which remain vacant as we are the only claimants in BSNL. It may be noted the efforts of ITS officers to continue   recruitment of ADETs through UPSC has been rejected by UPSC. The effort to take direct recruits from Railways has been turned down by the DOT/BSNL/Railways. Group C&D employees have already taken the stand that “those who don’t want to be absorbed in BSNL may better quit the BSNL”. We also subscribe to the above view of Group C&D employees.  Now the recent circular of the General Secretary of the so called BSNLEA confirms that the promoted officers presently working as ad hoc DEs are not regular STS officers. This is another proof that truth always prevails and nothing can be achieved  by wishful thinking alone.

 

 Five day working

            Another claim of the splinter group is that the BSNL has reverted back to 5 day pattern in higher administrative offices at their behest. It is far from truth. The fact is that Dak Tar Bhavan and Sanchar Bhavan housing the corporate office and several main offices of BSNL are under the control of Ministry of Home Affairs and the Home Ministry has raised question of security arrangements in these offices on the sixth working day only for the sake of BSNL. The BSNL has to observe 5 day working in these offices as far as they are housed in Sanchar Bhavan and Dak Tar Bhavan.

 Faster promotions

            Recently many SDEs have complained that since there is a condition of minimum of 5 years service in TES Group B to be eligible for promotion to ITS Group A they could not get promotion even though there are vacancies reserved for them. This shows how fast the TES Group B officers are being promoted to Group -A on Ad hoc or officiating basis. This is a feather in the cap of TESA that it could ensure such a fast promotion when it used to take 14 years to get promotion from Group B to Group A even on officiating basis.

 Effects of delay in absorption

            Delay in absorption of JTOs in to BSNL may cause untold difficulties at a later date as has happened in the case of promotion to Group B by the operation of Para 206. The 4000 odd JTOs who have been recruited by BSNL and joined the BSNL before the JTOs of Telecom Dept have actually joined the BSNL can create problems of seniority as has happened earlier by application of para 206. If the BSNL recruited JTOs approach the courts of law and plead their case, the result is anybody’s guess. The wise thing of JTOs of Dept of Telecom, who have not opted for BSNL, will be to join the BSNL as soon as possible to avoid difficulties later. 

 

            It is found that this splinter group hood winked the administration in Ernakulam SSA and caused the non-issue of option papers to the officers in Ernakulam SSA. In all other SSAs the option forms have been issued. While vacating the stay, the Principal bench of Hon CAT New Delhi has ordered that the options already received may be processed. In Ernakulam SSA alone the processing of options will, hence, be delayed unless the administration immediately calls for the options and keep it ready for action immediately on receipt of orders from BSNL.

 

            Another accusation about TESA(I) is that it is an association of old people with no interest for the betterment of the condition of the younger generation. The reason quoted is that most of the office bears of TESA(I) are DEs. It is interesting to note that most of the DEs are only Ad hoc DEs who are actually Sr.SDEs for all purposes. Since the officiating and ad hoc promotion could be ensured at much faster pace.   TESA (I) to these Sr.SDEs they occupy the posts of DEs on ad hoc and officiating basis. Many young SDEs by virtue of their passing competitive exam are also DEs now. As such just because some office bearers of TESA are DEs, it does not mean they are old people. It will be interesting to analyse the age of the important office bearers of splinter group and you will be astonished to know the real age of the socalled   youngsters in the splinter group. Few of the youngsters of the splinter group are aspiring to be promoted as JAG by virtue of their seniority in SDEs grade.

 

            Betrayal of the friends and followers for the selfish interests is not a new thing for the splinter group. One of their top leaders had betrayed the association of JEs (presently JTOs) by appearing for the first competitive examination ignoring the call for Boycot issued by its central Head Quarters. These very people, by their act of betrayal, is now occupying senior position in ad hoc DEs and aspires to become Directors in the near future. Days are not for off when the followers understand their true colour and come out of their clutches to save themselves and their comrades.

 

            We are all anxious for the follow up action by BSNL so that the process of absorption, unnecessarily blocked by cases filed in various CATs by some persons with vested interests, resumes. CMD BSNL has assured our leaders that the process of absorption will resume before the second anniversary of BSNL i e before 01/10/2002. Now the BSNL has come out with the offer of pay scales and other service conditions. As it appears today expect for the pay scales there may be no conflict on other points. We have been asking for E2 scale for the lowest level Executives and placement of the next higher level executives in the respective higher IDA pay scales meant for the Executives. We want BSNL to stick only to standard IDA pay scales for Navratna  schedule ‘A’ company, for the Executives and we will not accept any scales between the standard IDA pay scales. We have to ensure that the process of absorption does not get unduly delayed. The fitment demanded is on point to point basis and time bound promotion by personal up gradation basis up to the pay scales meant for the Executives corresponding to selection grade JAG level officers. Our demands are approved by secretaries meet of TESA(I) held in New Delhi in April 2000 and approved in Pune CWC in September 2000.

 

Proposed IDA pay scales, Fitment formula and promotion avenues for Group B & A in DOT/DTS/DTO officers including CSS officers on their absorption in BSNL w.e.f 01/10/2002

 

Part A-Proposed IDA scales

 

Sl.No   Existing Vth pay          Proposed IDA pay scales

            Commission scales

            w.e.f 01/10/1996

 

1.         5500-175-9000           7830-230-12430

2.         6500-200-1500           8600-250-14600

3.         7500-250-12000         10750-300-16750

4.         8000-275-13500         11325-325-17825

5.         10000-325-152000     14150-350-18700

6.         12000-375-165000     16000-4000-20800

7.         14300-400-18300       18500-450-23900

8.         18400-500-22400       23750-600-28550

9.         22400-525-24500       25750-650-3090

 

Part B -Proposed fitment formula

 

I.  In respect of DOT/DTS/DTO Gr.B&A officers (including CSS officers) on absorption in BSNL w.e.f 01/10/2000.

           

            The basic of the Executives as on 01/10/2000 in the IDA pay scale would be fixed at the stage corresponding to the stage which they had reached under CDA pay scale on 30/09/2000 i.e pay fixation will be on point to point basic. However, in the case of certain IDA pay scale(s), BSNL may consider to initially fix the pay at one stage or two stages above the minimum, so that net gain (Basic pay + DA taken together) is Rs.2500/- p.m to each Executive on absorption in BSNL on 01/10/2000. In case where the minimum benefit falls short of Rs.2500/- it will be enhanced to Rs.2500/- p.m.

 

 

II.  In respect of Executives appointed by BSNL on CDA pay scales.

 

            The Executives who have been appointed in the CDA pay scales on or after 01/10/200 by the BSNL, will be deemed to have been appointed in the corresponding IDA pay scale and accordingly, their pay will be fixed at the minimum of the IDA pay scale corresponding to their CDA pay scale in which they were appointed.

 

Part C- proposed promotion avenues

 

            With a view to motivate Executives in BSNL, for achieving excellence in performance and higher productivity, resulting into improved quality of service, customer satisfaction and greater revenues for the Company, Executives in BSNL will be allowed up gradation to the next higher IDA pay scale on a time –bound basis, varying between 4 to 5 years, as may be prescribed for each scale, up to the IDA pay scale of JAG selection grade, beyond which it will depended upon availability of post and their suitability and selection for promotion, which will be uniformly evaluated in the various streams of discipline.

 

            These have been intimated to the association for their consideration and detailed discussion before finalisation. In the case of pay scales the TESA(I) had demanded E2 for the lowest Executives. On comparing with the pay scales granted to MTNL, it should be noted that pension benefit and point to point fixation was not granted to them.

 

            Promotion orders from TES Group B to JTS of ITS Group A is likely to be issued very shortly.

 

            DOT has finally issued promotion order of 479 SDEs as DEs on ad hoc basis on 21/08/2002. In the above list home circle of 18 Group B officers from Kerala were inadvertently shown as Karnataka and this was got corrected by the timely intervention of own Circle Secretary.

 

            The Kerala circle planned more WLL and Mobile connection and halved the requirement of the U/G cables with respect to last year. Continuation of 67 posts of DEs has become difficult from July 2002. Circle leadership is trying to speedup the posting of DEs on the basis of the assets added in the last two years and for the creation of norms for WLL and other value added services.

 

            The officiating orders few ad hoc DEs to JAG are awaited. The circle conference of Kerala Circle branch is planned for November 2002 and the circle executive has requested Ernakulam branch to host the same.

 

            Comrades, Let us understand that the action of certain people, though not causing any serious threat to the Association, has given a chance to the administration to act with less fear about the strength of TESA. There is no denying that unity is strength and divided we fall. We are all aware no association/union can achieve whatever it desires to the full satisfaction of all. Instead of pointing the accusing fingers to others, let us analyse whether efforts have been made to achieve  the goals. Let us stand united under the banner of TESA (I). It is not the individual at the top, but the association that matters. Let us understand TESA (I) only will be able to achieve the goals and only if we stand united and when each and every one of us rise to the occasion and work for the association, that proper results can be achieved. Some of our friends who have left TESA would, by now, have realised this. We request them to review their stand and return to the mother organisation.

 

 

Long live TESA (I)

 

 

 

Secretary,

TESA (I) ENK branch