TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATION (INDIA)

Central Headquarters,Post Box 285, New Delhi 110 001

No. TESA/CHQ/Circular/98-01/52 Dated 07.09.2002

Dear Comrades,

It is quite but natural that after the judgment that was

pronounced by the Principal Bench of CAT on 06.08.2002 in respect

of the O.As about absorption in BSNL, a vast majority of the

Officers cutting across the different disciplines/cadres are now

anxious for expeditious further follow up action by BSNL so that

the process of absorption resumes. The Central Coordination

Committee of DoT Officers' Associations and TESA in particular

have been constantly interacting with all concerned Officers and

even had met CMD, BSNL and Chairman, Telecom Commission on couple

of occasions. The CMD asserted that the process of absorption

shall resume before the second anniversary of BSNL i.e.

1.10.2002 . The BSNL Management is now mainly addressing three

important issues i.e. the Pay Scales, promotional avenues and

fitment from CDA to IDA Pay Scales. We are following up these

three issues based on the decisions taken in the Circle Secre

taries Meet of TESA held in April 2000 in New Delhi and as

approved in our Pune CEC meet held at Pune in September 2000. We

have been asking for E-2 Pay Scales for the lowest level Execu

tives and placement of the next higher level Executives in the

respective higher IDA Pay Scales meant for the Executives. We

are all along been advocating for time bound promotion by person

al upgradation basis upto the Pay Scales meant for the Executives

corresponding to SG JAG level Officers. The fitment was being

demanded to be on point to point basis. The February 2002 Meet of

the Central Coordination Committee of DoT Officers' Associations

in New Delhi also adopted the same approach. As we now under

stand, the BSNL is ready to accept the demands for time bound

promotion by personal upgradation basis upto the SG JAG level Pay

Scales in the same line as in MTNL. The fitment would also be on

point to point basis. But in the pay scale front, as expected,

BSNL may offer only E-1 pay scales with additional increments for

the lowest Executive level. BSNL may also propose intermediate

scales between the standard PSU Scales for a few higher level of

Executives. BSNL's approach regarding the Pay Scales is based on

the concept of limiting the differences in pay hike (between the

CDA Scales and IDA Scales) for different levels of Executives to

some predetermined amount. It intend to give a difference of

about Rs 3000-3500 per month to the lowest level Executives and

gradually increase the same for the higher level Executives. We

have told the concerned Officers in no ambiguous term that this

concept will not be acceptable to us. We want BSNL to stick only

to the standard IDA Pay Scales for the Executives.

1.2 The Committee of the Officers constituted to settle the Pay

Scales and Perks of the Officers, in a meeting held this week,

has already briefed the CMD and other Directors of the BSNL Board

about their proposals. As decided in this meeting, the Committee

members are holding discussions with the representatives of DoT

to avoid any possible hurdle at the later stage. One round of

discussion has already taken place on 06.09.2002. Another round

of discussion is scheduled to take place on 09.09.2002. Thereaf

ter, the BSNL would make formal offers on the above three issues

to the Associations inviting their reactions. Once the details

are made known, the Central Coordination Committee of DoT Offi

cers' Associations would meet immediately and take a common

stand. As it appears today - except for the Pay scale area, there

would be no conflict in regard to other areas. We would not be

able to compromise even in this front. We shall seek for the

improvements in all the areas - wherever needed. At the same time

we have to ensure that the process of absorption does not get

unduly delayed on any account. We shall demand immediate payment

of the advance amount of Rs 2000 per month w e f 1.10.2000 to all

those who have already exercised their option and others who

would be ready give their consent to get absorbed. In need be,

Central Coordination Committee of DoT Officers' Associations

shall launch country wide agitation.

2. During our last discussions with Chairman, Telecom Commis

sion on 06.09.2002, we requested to expedite absorption of the

Officers in MTNL. We were told that DoT has proposed further

action in regard to absorption which includes giving another

chance to those who missed the last chance which expired on

28.02.2002 and has accordingly sought for the views of Legal

Adviser. The Chairman has directed the concerned Officer to get

the matter expedited by holding discussions instead of sending

the file. We had pleaded to collect the Option Form from Delhi

and other Units since Mumbai Unit of MTNL has already sent the

forms to various concerned sections of TCHQ. Chairman, Telecom

Commission also confirmed that a proposal to make payment of

pension to the absorbed employees/officers in MTNL by the Govern

ment is almost getting through. The Ministry of Law is examining

the point regarding amending the Rules.

3. Meanwhile the MTNL - based on DoT's clarification - has

written to the concerned staff Unions that the pension in respect

of the absorbed employees in MTNL who opted for pro-rata pension

for the period of service rendered in Government would be paid by

the Government. The PPO would also be issued by Government and

not MTNL.

4. DoT finally issued the promotion order of 479 SDEs as DEs on

adhoc basis on 21.08.2002. There are about 140 unassessed cases.

The missing ACRs in respect of the concerned Officers are being

procured. Their promotion may now take more than a month. A small

promotion order for left out cases of earlier occasions, however,

may be issued early. The CR Dossiers for the SDEs in the second

list are being supplied to the Staff Branch for assessment work.

5. The promotion order from TES Group B to JTS of ITS Group A is

likely be issued very shortly. The proposal is now awaiting the

approval of MOS C&IT. Earlier, the vigilance clearance was ob

tained and the proposal sent to the MOS.

6. BSNL, as assured to us long before, would certainly make the

ex-gratia payment. This time many erstwhile Group C & D Employees

in BSNL with their new IDA Scales would not be eligible to get

bonus. As such, the non-executives are also to be brought in the

purview of the proposed ex-gratia payment. Though it is princi

pally agreed to make ex-gratia payment to all, the amount is yet

to be decided. There might be three broad levels with different

amounts of ex-gratia for each level. The payment would be made

before the Dussera Festival. Decision, as and when taken, would

be circulated. Let us not unnecessarily engage ourselves in

gossips and rumours.

7. DoT has issued another list for correction in the seniority

lists of the TES Group B Officers. This is available in our

website.

8. The process of clearance of proposals for creation of posts

of DEs is moving in a routine manner. After sanction of 72 posts

in June, 2002, BSNL created only one and three posts in last July

and August respectively. During this month 27 posts of DEs have

been sanctioned (till 06.09.2002). All these posts are meant for

Tamilnadu Circle. Some more posts for a few other Circles are

expected to be sanctioned shortly.

9. BSNL has with held its orders to observe six days a week work

in administrative offices including the Corporate Office. Main

reason behind this decision is stated to be administrative prob

lems to open the offices in Government controlled Sanchar Bhawan

and Dak Bhawan which houses many sections of the BSNL and the

security arrangement of which are with the Ministry of Home Af

fairs.

10. As you are aware that our CEC decided to hold the 30th All

India Conference of TESA at Mysore in November 2002. The Host

Branch has already sent the forms for collection of Advertise

ments for publication in our Souvenir to be released in commemo

ration of our ensuing AIC. The Branches/Circles are requested to

collect as many advertisement as possible and send the same to

the host branch in advance. 20% of the collections would go as

commission to the collector branches. All Branches are requested

to clear the CHQ quota upto October 2002 at the earliest. Please

make the payment now and do not wait till we reach Mysore. Dele

gate Fee per delegate may be Rs 800 or even more depending on the

collections. This time, it may not be possible to exempt the

Circle Secretaries and CEC members from paying the delegate fee.

Final decision on this issue would be taken after assessing the

collection of fund. Let us go ahead seriously and make the Con

ference a grand success.

With best wishes,

Yours comradely,

Sd/-

(S Basu)

General Secretary

All CSs/CPs/BSs/CEC Members/CHQ Office Bearers.

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