TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATION (INDIA)

Central Headquarters,Post Box 285, New Delhi 110 001

 

No. TESA/CHQ/Circular/98-01/51                   Dated 06.08.2002

 

Dear Comrades,

 

     All the O.As in regard to absorption in BSNL/MTNL now stand

disposed off following the final judgement that the Principal

Bench delivered today. The Hon'ble Principal Bench of CAT on

31.07.2002 and 06.08.2002 heard all the Original Applications

before it on the matter of absorption in BSNL/MTNL and disposed

off all these cases. On the insistence of the Advocates of the

applicants that they would like to have informed choice to decide

whether to opt for BSNL or not and for that purpose they require

to be informed about the pay scales, fitment formula and promo­

tional avenues as was told in the case of absorption in MTNL in

DoT's letter dated 08.05.2000, the Court has passed the orders

that :

 

   -  Respondents would spell out the pay scales, fitment formula

      and promotional avenues for the Group B Officers on their

      absorption in BSNL within two months from the date of

      receipt of the Court Order.

 

   -  Respondents would thereafter suitably extend the date  for

      exercising the option.

 

   -  Respondents may take further necessary action in regard to

      the option already submitted by the Officers in terms of

      the BSNL's letter dated 14.01.2002.

 

   -  All the stay orders granted  by  different  benches of CAT

      vacated.

 

    The copy of the judgement, when received, would allow BSNL to

initiate further action. However, discussion on Pay Scales/promo­

tional avenues may start shortly for which BSNL need not wait for

the copy of the judgement.  So far as the Pay scales of the Group

B Officers are concerned, BSNL would be able to discuss the same

with the Associations only after the Pay Scales of the Group C &

D are formally announced which is delayed due to non-receipt of

approval of DoT. Group B Pay Scales have got some relation with

the case of Group C&D Pay scales, since the highest Group C Pay

Scales has got bearing with lowest Executive pay scale. It is

expected that in a few days time, the announcement of Group C and

D Pay Scales will come and talks on Executives' Pay Scales could

start shortly. So far as the fitment formula is concerned, it is

already decided to be on point to point basis. But BSNL has not

yet applied its mind on the question of promotional avenues,

since KPMG Report on the matter is awaited. Now BSNL has to come

out atleast with some tentative decision. Again whatever the BSNL

Board decides, the same has to be got approved by DoT. If there

is earnest effort and no stalemate in the matter is allowed to be

created, the process of option may resume even within a month.

But the matter is not that so simple and anti-absorption forces

would not give up so easily. Meanwhile, BSNL could take decision

in respect of those Officers who had already submitted their

option.   

 

    We are aware that the anti-absorption forces may be happy

with the latest development. But pro-absorption officers need not

be disappointed either. The issue of absorption is now likely to

be resolved within a targeted date. BSNL will come out with their

decisions as quickly as possible and offer whatever they could.

We need not be surprised if the date of exercising option is

ordered to be extended in a month's time. It is the pertinent

question if the offer is not upto our expectation then what next?

Should we remain on deemed deputation status for some more

years and get our value eroded since BSNL is in the recruitment

spree of thousands of JTOs from open market to take care of the

services ? Would not these JTOs, being the BSNL's own Executives,

claim for promotion against the posts presently occupied by us on

deemed deputation basis ?  Would it be unjustified claim ? Any

how, at this moment, we are to keep our fingers crossed and ana­

lyse the whole situation at the appropriate time. At the same, we

will make every effort to ensure that no stalemate is allowed to

be created and those willing to get absorbed get the opportunity

for the same. 

 

    Vacation of all stay orders by the Principal Bench has also

paved the way to complete the process of absorption in MTNL. DoT

would be able to take further action on receipt of the copy of

the judgement. This is an welcome development.

 

2.   A hysteria on the issue of granting Selection Grade to the

adhoc DEs has been got created by the same group who once raised

the slogan to get the adhoc DEs absorbed in BSNL as regular DEs

and finally conveniently dropped the slogan both outside and

inside the Principal Bench. During the course of arguments on

6.8.2002 in the Principal Bench on the matter of absorption, they

also agreed with others that an O.A praying for absorption of the

adhoc DEs on regular capacity and listed for hearing along with

other O.As was a separate issue. The CAT accordingly deleted this

O.A from the list of the O.As which were listed for hearing on

the question of absorption in BSNL/MTNL. This O.A was filed by a

few adhoc DEs in Hyderabad Bench of CAT and transferred to Prin­

cipal Bench along with other O.As. Now again the same group of

persons have raised false hope in the Adhoc DEs about their

placement in the Selection Grade which is non-existent. The order

issued by DoP&T regarding introduction of Selection Grade in JAG

and STS is very much available in Teleservice (July, 2000 issue).

No clause of that order entitles the adhoc DEs to get Selection

Grade. BSNL has also now realised the same. There is no doubt

that these group of persons will again back out. There is no

other way for them. We  have also come to know that some people

are collecting money from the adhoc DEs by giving the same false

hope. What a unique way to exploit the already frustrated sen­

iors|        

 

3.  Finally the controversy, which was raised by DoT itself,

whether the Pension is to be paid on IDA Scales or CDA Scales, is

over. DoT itself has clarified that Pension has to be paid on IDA

Pay Scales to the employees absorbed in BSNL. Thus another issue

got resolved permanently.

 

4.   BSNL has issued the much awaited Orders on 6.8.2002 granting

the benefit of Rent Free Accommodation to the SDEs working in OFC

Maintenance and Satellite Maintenance. Thus a long pending issue

could be resolved.

 

5.  The seniority of 1331 eligible SC/ST Officers have been

corrected by DoT which allowed their position in the seniority

Lists to move up. DoT has issued the Orders on 29.07.2002. This

in compliance with an DoP&T Order issued on 21.01.2002 following

eighty fifth amendment of the Constitution passed by the Parlia­

ment. The lists, which are affected, are List No 3, List No 4 and

List No 5.

 

6.   Adhoc promotion from SDEs to DEs is now expected to come

very shortly following clearance of the same by the Screening

Committee. The proposal is now to be sent to the Minister for

approval and thereafter the Promotion Orders could be issued.

Meanwhile, we are not only trying to expedite the second list of

promotion to be released but also to launch another list for

promotion. DoT is also considering the left out cases which will

come out separately after the first list issued.

 

7.   Following receipt of the minutes from UPSC, DoT has asked

for another vigilance clearance for the TES Group B Officers to

be promoted to JTS of ITS Group A. On receipt of the same, the

findings of the DPC will be placed before the Minister for ap­

proval and thereafter the promotion order released.

 

8.   Another list of request transfers of the SDEs being released

by BSNL. Meanwhile 33 SDEs got their tenure transfer orders

issued by BSNL. 2 more SDEs also got their transfer orders from

DoT.

 

9.   The Branches will shortly receive the forms for Advertise­

ments for publication in our Souvenir to be released in commemo­

ration of our ensuing AIC being held Mysore. All are requested to

respond positively so that the AIC could be held as scheduled.

 

      With best wishes,

                                            Yours comradely,      

 

 

                                                (S Basu)      

                                            General Secretary 

To                           

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS AT A GLANCE

 

* BSNL issues orders introducing IDA Pay Scales in replacement of

  the existing CDA Pay Scales for Non-Executive Staff. Thus  pav-

  ing way for settling the pay scales for the Executives. For the

  details please see elsewhere of this website

 

* BSNL may start discussion  with the Associations regarding  the

  pay scales and promotional avenues for the Executives  sometime

  next week or early subsequent (third) week.

 

* BSNL gets ready to issue order extending the date for exercise­

  ing option for absorption after completing the discussion and

  announcing the pay scales/promotional avenues etc. Process is

  attempted to be completed within a month's time.

 

* DoT would take further action to complete  the  process of ab­

  sorption of the Group A and B Officers in MTNL on receipt of

  the copy of the judgment of CAT.

 

* Proposal for promotion  of  486 TES Group B Officers to STS of

  ITS Group A, duly approved by the Screening Committee, sent to

  MOSC & IT for approval. 143 cases are un-assessed. Orders to be

  issued immediately on receipt of the approval.

 

* Vigilance clearance in respect of the TES Group B Officers  for

  their promotion on adhoc basis in STS of STS of ITS A as per

  the second list has now been obtained. DoT to start assessment

  of CRs. Left out cases to get priority and to be covered in a

  separate list for promotion.

 

* CMD, BSNL approves the  proposal  for  permanent delegation of

  powers to the CGMs to create man month posts of DEs and Direc­

  tors. Another break through achieved. Orders just under issue.

 

* DoT clarifies that BSNL Executive Association cannot be treated

  at par with TESA(I) and it is not an applicant Union.

 

* Chairman,Telecom Commission grants interview to TESA(I) on 12th

  August 2002.