EXTRACTS FROM TELESERVICE, AUGUST 2002 ISSUE

 

G S WRITES

 

     The Principal Bench of CAT, after having detailed hearing of

on 31.07.2002 and 06.08.2002, passed its judgment on 06.08.2002

on  all the O.As in regard to absorption in BSNL/MTNL. 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 promotional 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 absorp­

  tion in BSNL within two months from the date of receipt of the

  Court Order.

 

- Respondents would thereafter suitably extend the date to exer­

  cise 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 vacat­

  ed.

 

2. The copy of the judgment, 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 judgment.  So far as the Pay scales of the Execu­

tives are concerned, BSNL was by and large ready to discuss the

same with the Associations after finalisation of the Pay Scales

of the Group C & D. But this could not take place since formal

announcement of the Scales for Non Executives was delayed due to

non-receipt of approval from DoT. The Pay Scales for the Execu­

tives have got some relation with the Non Executives Pay scales,

since the highest Non Executive Pay Scales has got bearing with

lowest Executive pay scale. Incidentally, after holding up the

case for more than two months, DoT finally accorded the approval

to the Pay Scales and other related issues for Non Executives.

BSNL Management has also issued the necessary orders on the same

day i.e. 7th August, 2002. This has paved the way for the BSNL

Management to disclose the Pay Scales, promotional avenues for

the Executives. So far as the fitment formula is concerned, it is

already decided to be on point to point basis.  BSNL may shortly,

may be in the third week of this month (August), invite the

Associations for discussions. 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

decision. We have pointed out that time bound promotion from one

grade to another on seniority cum fitness basis up to the SG JAG

level Executive Pay Scales should be ensured. 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. Vaca­

tion of all stay orders by the Principal Bench has also paved the

way to complete the process of absorption in MTNL. DoT would take

further action on receipt of the copy of the judgment. This is an

welcome development.

3. 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 can. 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

now 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 Engineering degree holders as JTOs from open

market and thereby would be able to create a substantial base of

competent technical force in a couple of years time to take care

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

Executives, claim for promotion as SDEs against the posts of BSNL

which are presently occupied by us on deemed deputation basis ? 

Would it be unjustified claim ? In that event will not thousands

among us would be declared surplus ? Any how, at this moment, we

are to keep our fingers crossed and analyse the whole situation

at the appropriate time in correct perspective. We will have to

go by the reality and not by mere slogans. 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. 

 

4.  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.

 

5.   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.

 

6.  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.

 

7.   The proposal for promotion of 482 SDEs as DEs on adhoc basis

has finally got the approval of MOS. DoT may be able to issue the

promotion orders during the third week of August, 2002. About 143 

cases remained unassessed. We had to work hard to get this promo­

tion through, since there was an attempt by some forces to delay

and derail the process on the plea to issue promotion order of

all the SDEs in both List No. 1 and 2 together. But we resisted

this. We knew that it would have further delayed the promotion,

since vigilance clearance was not available for the SDEs in List

No.2 and CR Dossiers were also not supplied for assessment. In

the bargain some more senior members would have retired without

promotion. Now DoT will start further processing the List No. 2

for promotion. The process is expected to be completed within two

months, since VC could be managed and CR Dossiers are by and

large ready.  As agreed in the meeting held by Chairman (TC) on

12.08.2002,  another list for promotion would be launched. DoT is

also considering the left out cases which will come out separate­

ly after the first list is issued.

 

8. 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.

 

9. We have been assured that BSNL would pay ex-gratia to the

Officers. The issue is being processed for formal decision and

orders. Thus another important break through could be achieved

through our persistent efforts. 

 

10. BSNL has finally issued the orders for permanent delegation 

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

Directors. The proposal received a hostile opposition from some

section in BSNL. But the concerned officers handled the situation

well. This has resolved another long pending problem. The Circles

need not look at the BSNL Corporate Office to authorise them to

create the required posts of DEs and Directors for developmental

work. Thus, we have been able to have the much needed break

through on this important issue.

 

11. BSNL has issued a request transfer order for 25 SDEs. We have

requested to release another order for some more remaining SDEs

and pursuing the matter. Meanwhile 33 SDEs got their tenure

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

fer orders from DoT.

 

12. As you all know that we have decided to hold our AIC sometime

in the month of November at Mysore in Karnataka. The Host Circle

has already started the preliminary work. A Souvenir is also

being brought out by them. The Branches will shortly receive the

forms for Advertisements for publication in the Souvenir. All are

requested to respond positively so that the AIC could be held as

scheduled and in a befitting manner. Meanwhile, on our request,

DoT has permitted our existing CHQ body to function and hold the

AIC accordingly. DoT has also clarified that one BSNL Executive

Association, formed by some group on deemed deputation to BSNL,

cannot be treated at par with TESA(I) and it is not an applicant

Union. It has further left the matter of granting only meeting to

this Association on important issues as and when considered

necessary for BSNL Management to decide. BSNL Management has only

given this limited opportunity.