27th  Feb  2007Source: BSNL Discussion board by S.S.Sindagi, GM, MH CIRCLE, SOLAPUR.

Good suggestions ! Think it over.

24th  Feb  2007GS writes to CMD on the following issues:

1.  Inability to create new Broad Band accounts due to lethargic attitude of concerned officers – Tough immediate action solicited. Click here for copy >>>>>

2. Posting of CGMs/SSA GMs on the basis of performance, talent, initiative, not on the basis of merely seniority as is being generally presently followed. Click here for copy >>>>>

3. Undue and unjustified delay in resolving the vital issue of counting of residency period from 1.10.2000 for purpose of first time bound upgradation in respect of those whose IDA scales were upgraded after 1.10.2000.Click here for copy >>>>>

4. Totally unjustified delay in issuing promotion orders from JTO to SDE. Click here for copy >>>>>

 An extraordinary, marathon representation on various issues was made by Com. Ashok Rao, SG/NCOA, before Chairman of the Wage committee, Mr Justice M. J. Rao and other members of the committee, including Secretary DPE, Mr Panda, who is ex-officio member of the committee. Other members of the committee Dr. Nitish Sengupta (Economist and former Member Secretary, Planning Commission, Government of India), Sh. P.C.Parakh (former Secretary, Deptt. of Coal, Government of India), Sh. R.S.S.L.N. Bhaskarudu (former Managing Director, Maruti Udyog Ltd and Ex- Chairman, Public Enterprises Selection Board), and Jt Secy (DPE) who is the Secretary of the pay revision committee. Com. W.Seshagiri Rao, President NCOA, GS/SNEA (I), Com. K.S.N.Raju/BHEL, Com Deshpande, Com. Seshagiri Rao, and Com. Baby Thomas represented NCOA, in addition to Com. Ashok Rao, SG/NCOA. The submissions made by com Ashok Rao and Com K.S.N.Raju on various issues lasted for about an hour.

 While Com.Ashok Rao spoke on the issues of consultative status, principles for salary fixation. Discrimination in criteria for income and taxation, anomalies of the past, retirement benefits and problems of sick units, Com. K.S.N.Raju strongly urged upon and pleaded with the Chairman of the Committee to take an expeditious decision on the vital issues of merger of 50% IDA and payment of interim relief, clearly bringing about convincing and comprehensive arguments in support of early resolution of these vital issues. Com. Raju also briefed the committee on issues of performance related payments and periodicity of pay revision in CPSUs, pleading that the periodicity of five years be maintained.

 The arguments made and the merits brought about by Com. Ashok Rao on issues of critical significance were so convincing, impressive, striking and spectacular that profound impact it created on the Chairman of the committee and its other members was clearly noticeable. The arguments advanced were not only self explanatory but truly qualitative and analytical. It was an extraordinary and truly a superb performance by com Ashok Rao. Words really fall short in congratulating him for a truly magnificent beginning and we all look forward to his continuing majestic role in objectively projecting the issues before the committee so as to get recommendations from the committee in a manner that the flight of talent from PSUs is stopped, officer’s career  growth expectations are met to a reasonable extent so that they remain in a state of reasonable motivation to ensure that PSUs remain in a healthy state. We assure Com Ashok Rao of our total support in every possible manner to help him get the best possible recommendations from the pay revision committee.

 Speaking on behalf of the Pay Revision Committee, Chairman, Justice M.J.Rao, assured representatives of NCOA that the committee would function in a transparent manner and gave the enormous responsibility of giving valuable inputs to the committee on various issues to NCOA.  Justice Rao was categorical in mentioning that NCOA shall have to play a meaningful and big role in providing comprehensive feedback to the pay committee and shall have to summarize the feedback. Chairman also assured that a consistent interaction with NCOA shall take place and that the committee shall try to interact with as many people as possible in the field units.   

 On taking expeditious decisions on issues of merger of 50% IDA and providing interim relief, the Chairman and other members of the Committee said that they were open to consider these issues and expressed their optimism. However, the Chairman of the Committee felt that the limitations imposed on the committee in the context of its terms of reference have to be generally appreciated. The impression gathered by the representatives of NCOA on issue of merger of 50% IDA with basic is that the committee is quite responsive and open to consider and resolve this issue as early as possible. 

Secretary DPE stated that NCOA should respond to all the questions contained in the questionnaire circulated by DPE. Other members of the committee, Mr Sengupta and Mr Bhaskarudu also asked a few specific questions on whether general the final recommendations of the pay revision committee should be in the form of general guidelines or presidential directive and whether giving higher pay scales alone in sick PSUs shall make them healthy. Com Ashok Rao responded to these thought provoking and mind boggling queries instantaneously and in a highly professional manner. 

President NCOA, Com W.Seshagiri Rao, Com Ashok Rao, SG/NCOA, Com. K.S.N.Raju and GS/SNEA(I) shall meet in Hyderabad on 8^th, 9^th and 10^th March to finalize the response to the questionnaire to be placed before the National General Council for ratification on 11^th march,07 for final submission to the pay revision committee. The questionnaire which is quite comprehensive and wide ranging, containing intricate and varying questions, is to be dealt with in a highly professional and realistic manner, after obtaining extensive feedback from the field units. How much successful we shall be in dealing with the questionnaire entirely depends upon the feed back that we shall finally receive from the field units. The said questionnaire is available on our site and our Comrades should respond to various questions contained therein and mail the same to CHQ to enable us to come to consensus on various issues on which opinions could be differing. Let us recognize and take it entirely on our shoulders that we have to play a very big and crucial role in getting recommendations from the committee which are consistent with our expectations and protect the health of the Organization too.

Pay Revision Committee for Executives and Non-unionised Supervisors of CPSEs

 Our strike on 22^nd and 23^rd December, 06 has finally paid dividends. We understand reliably that the pay revision committee is to discuss the demands made by coordination committee of CPSUs for which they resorted to strike i.e merger of 50% DA with basic w.e.f 1.1.2005, release of lump sum Adhoc relief, removal of ceiling on payment of gratuity, removal of 50% ceiling on allowance. This is a very big breakthrough in that the struggle (we call it struggle, not strike) has focused the issues to such an extent where the pay revision committee has felt the necessity of deliberating upon and deciding these issues. All the credit goes to all those who participated in the struggle and thus created a situation where it has been felt that these issues require due consideration and deliberation by the apex pay revision committee. This only reiterates age old trade union dictum that no struggle goes waste and that every genuine, just and legitimate struggle produces its result.

Meeting with CMD on 12^th feb.,07 – promotion order from JTO to SDE;

  Com W. Seshagiri Rao and GS met CMD and strongly pleaded with him to release the promotion order from JTO to SDE as quickly as possible. While CMD felt that releasing order at this stage shall result in loss of interest in respect of those who stand transferred to other Circles on promotion and advised us to wait till the mid of March.,07 for releasing the promotion orders, we urged upon him to not to withhold release of the said promotion order since it has been already delayed to a very great extent. CMD informed us that some CGMs have advised him not to release the order at this time of productivity. However, we conveyed to CMD that there is lot of resentment and unrest on account of continuing delay in issuing the promotion order and we cannot accept any further delay. After some more discussion, CMD assured us that he would reconsider his decision within a couple of days. We are continuing our efforts for early release of Promotion order.

BSNL tender case:

The arguments in Delhi High Court in stalled 45.5 million GSM tender issue were made by the counsel of Motorola. The arguments are expected to continue on a day to day basis. This is a very positive and significant development. We are in constant touch with a very senior counsel for getting impleaded in the deadlocked case so as to break the continuing stalemate which could be counter productive for our growth. Depending on the advice of the counsel, we shall file an intervention application, if the situation warrants. 

Option to continue in CDA pay scale till promotion/retirement:     

We discussed this issue with the concerned officer of DPE where the draft order has been sent by DOT for its approval and we were informed that some clarification is awaited from DOT. We are continuously monitoring this issue.

  8th  Feb  2007

Meeting with Director (HRD) on 8^th feb.,07:

 a) Promotion from JTO to SDE:

 GS met Director(HRD) in the morning of 8^th feb.,07 to know from him the reasons of delay in issuing the promotion order from JTO to SDE. Director(HRD) informed GS that while he has even cleared the file promoting 868 JTOs to SDEs, the promotion orders would be issued towards the end of MARCh.,07 because large number of JTOs (about 50%) transferred to hard tenure stations and other non recruiting circles would lose their interest in the developmental activities expected to be at peak in feb- march and this would further affect the growth of BSNL at a time when its growth is already adversely affected. GS impressed upon Director(HRD) that there has already been considerable delay in issuing the promotion orders and that any further delay would be undesirable and unacceptable. GS also urged upon Director(HRD) to reconsider the decision of issuing the promotion orders towards end of March.,07 and informed him that any further delay in issuing the orders would be strongly protested against. However, after lot of discussion, Director(HRD) assured GS that he would reconsider his decision after discussing the matter with CMD when he returns to Hqs on Monday. Association making its best efforts to get the orders released as early as possible and is meeting CMD on 11^th feb.,07 to end the stalemate.         

b) Competitive examination from JTO to SDE:

 GS also informed Director(HRD) that despite repeated assurances to notify the competitive examination, nothing has so far been done in this regard. However, Director(HRD) assured that action on top most priority is being taken to notify the examination. Later on we met DDG(IR) who informed us that the notification to be issued has been sent to DDG(P) for vetting and the same would be ieeued immediately after DDG(P) approves it. DDG(IR) also informed us that he has been directed by Director(HRD) to issue the notification today i.e 8^th feb.,07. Subsequently we met DDG(P) and Jt DDG(P) and requested them to send the draft notification to DDG(IR) immediately to enable IR section to issue the notification by DE section. DDG(P) also informed us that necessary order to be issued by Personnel section in this regard has already been issued. Late in the evening the draft notification was sent back by Personnel section to the IR section to issue the notification. We are expecting issuing of notification by the DE cell of IR section on 9^th feb.,07 for holding of examination for about 4000 TES Gr B vacancies towards the beginning of June '07. We have been given a categorical assurance by DDG(IR) on this.

 c) Finalization of transfer policy to hard tenure stations:                

 GS informed Director(HRD) that there is unnecessary delay in finalizing the policy of transfers to hard tenure stations, even though considerable time has elapsed since committee under the Chairmanship of DDG(Rest) has been constituted. DDG(Rest) was incidentally also present. Director(HRD) informed us that while our suggestion that stay should be counted from SDE onwards was by and large acceptable, what has to be decided is how to deal with those having longer stay and having come from cadres below JTO. GS informed Director(HRD) that the issue of transfer of SDEs having come from subordinate cadres and having longer stay could be dealt with separately. Subsequently we met DDG(Rest) separately who informed us that he has send the relevant file to DDG(SR) for his comments. After that we met DDG(SR) and informed him about the file having been sent to him and requested him to send it back to DDG(Rest) for further action. In the evening, we were informed by DDG(SR) that he has sent the file to DDG(Rest) after recording his comments. We are pursuing this matter vigorously. 

d) DPC from SDE to Adhoc STS:

 Preparations to commence DPC from SDE to Adhoc STS against 2300 posts which was temporarily put on hold have already commenced. We are monitoring the progress of this DPC and shall try our best for its expeditious completion provided there is no further legal hold up.            

 III. Replacement of 225 plan by 525 for residential GSM connections: Necessary orders modifying the previous orders are expected to be issued on 9^th Feb.,07.

 IV. National executive of NCOA on 1 1 ^th Feb.,07 and meeting of the representatives of NCOA with the Chairman of the wage committee of CPSUs on 12^th feb.,07:

 A meeting of the executive committee of NCOA at the National level is being held at Delhi on 11^th feb.,07 to finalize the strategy to be adopted by the representatives of NCOA in their meeting with the Wage Committee of CPSUs on 12^th feb.,07 at 1100 hrs. We have already clearly indicated to SG/NCOA, Com Ashok Rao, that the entire focus of the delegation of NCOA in the meeting with the wage committee essentially should be immediate merger of 50% IDA with basic. Com W. Seshagiri Rao, President NCOA, is to attend the meeting of NCOA on 11^th feb.,07.

 V. BSNL tender case to come up for hearing in Delhi High Court on 12^th feb.,07: Association is closely monitoring the progress of this case and is in close touch with eminent legal experts to explore the ways for expeditious disposal of the case. GS met an eminent telecom/legal expert on 8^th feb.,07 and follow up action as per his advice is being taken in this regard.    

8th  Feb  2007

GSs Tour to AP Circle;

 a) District conference of Nalgonda SSA on 3^rd feb.,07:

GS addressed a general body meeting and district conference of Nalgonda SSA on 3rd Feb.07. The open session was attended by more than 150 Comrades of Nalgonda SSA and was addressed by AGS Com. Srinivas, Com P.Padmanabha Rao and GM/Nalgonda. GS apprised in detail about the latest developments on various issues. 

b) General body meeting at Hyderabad on 3^rd feb.,07:

Later in the evening, CHQ President, Com. S.L.Reddy, GS, AGS, Com Srinivas and Com P. Padmanabha Rao addressed a general body meeting of Hyderabad district. GS explained in detail the latest position on various issues and urged upon the Comrades of Hyderabad to give out their best at this critical stage when there is a sharp decline in the growth of BSNL. GS also called upon the Comrades to fully concentrate on issues relating to growth of BSNL.

c) District conference of Vijayawada/SSA on 4^th feb.,07:  

District conference of Vijayawada was held on 4^th feb.,07 and was addressed by Com W. Seshagiri Rao, President/NCOA, GS, AGS, Com. Srinivas and CS/AP, Com P. Padmanabha Rao. GS gave an elaborate account of the persistent efforts made by CHQ in making improvements in the promotion policy and appealed to Comrades of Vijayawada to rise to the occasion in facing the formidable challenges in the Telecom sector. NCOA President, Com W. Seshagiri Rao, also gave latest position on the issue of merger of 50% IDA with basic.

 d) District conference of Vishakapatnam district on 5^th feb.,07:

 District conference attended by more than 200 Comrades was held in a truly colourful manner on 5^th feb.,07. The open session was addressed by Com W. Seshagiri Rao, NCOA/president, GS, Com P. Padmanabhan Rao, CS/AP, besides GM/Vishakapatnam. GS also addressed the delegate session in the afternoon, elaborately mentioning latest position on various issues and appealing Comrades to wholeheartedly get involved in facing the tough challenges to be faced by BSNL in the near future.