30th September, 2007Brief of the proceedings and important decisions taken by the CWC meet at Thiruvananthapuram on 28th & 29th Sept.,07.

 CWC meet was held at RTTC Thiruvananthapuram where the arrangements for boarding and lodging and the meeting at the auditorium were quite comfortable and the ambience in which the RTTC is located made the meeting quite memorable and exciting. Besides, the involvement of Comrades of Thiruvananthapuram RTTC in particular and of Kerala Circle in general for the success of the meet was extraordinary. That way we are all satisfied that Comrades of Kerala Circle put in their best efforts and their role for successful completion of the conference was quite commendable.  

All the Circles, except NE II were represented. However, CSs of Uttaranchal, NE I & II and Chattisgarh Circles did not participate in the meet.

 The meeting started on 28th sept.,07, with flag hoisting ceremony at 0930 hrs, amid slogans of SNEA(I) Zindabad, Inquilab Zindabad, CWC Thiruvananthpuram Zindabad etc. After unfurling of flag by the CHQ/ President, the business of the august house commenced in the auditorium of RTTC at 1000 hrs, after observing silence in memory of the departed Comrades and self introduction. GS recalled the services rendered by Com Vithal Rao, our beloved ex/AGS, his commitment and sincerity, and a resolution expressing heartfelt condolences of the entire house to the bereaved members of his family was adopted by the house.        

 After opening remarks by the Comrade President, GS reported the developments having taken place in the intervening period from holding of Goa CWC meet till date, highlighting notably following significant breakthroughs accomplished during the period of about a year: 

A) Settlement and implementation of promotion policy -- radical changes in very harsh attendant conditions imposed on both time bound as well as functional promotions, getting first financial up gradation for adhoc STS to the scale of JAG, reducing outside recruitment at STS from 50 to 25%, ensuring functional promotion from TES Gr B to STS, getting one increment on functional promotion without change in scale.  

B) Fulfilment of our demand after sustained efforts of providing residential service mobile connections with STD/roaming and other facilities and enhancing the limit of fixed line residential facility,

C) Counting of residential period after tireless persuasion from 1.10.2000 for the purpose of getting first financial up gradation in respect of all those whose pay scales were upgraded after 1.10.2000 and thereby bringing about complete uniformity in implementation of new promotion policy,

 D)Issuing of promotion orders from JTO to TES Gr B for 75 % quota  against the vacancies of 2004-05 and 05-06, after continuous persuasion,

 E) Holding of TES Gr B competitive examination for about 4000 TES Gr B vacancies, despite lot of hurdles, 

 F) Creation of 2300 posts of JTOs, 600 SDEs, 400 STS and 150 JAG for the man power plan for the years 2005-07 in high technology areas, and

G) Playing  a frontline and crucial role in mobilizing media, political and public opinion which finally led to observance of historical strike on 11th July,07 on the critical issue of placing of orders for procurement of GSM, 2g+3g, equipment and which finally resulted in placement of orders for procurement of 22.5 m GSM lines.

Unresolved issues mentioned by GS relating to promotion policy are A) service weightage, B) no outside recruitment at STS, and C) first financial upgradation after maximum of five instead of six years. Issues like extending benefit of five years of qualifying service for those seeking VRS, withdrawal of order of MOF restricting payment of pension by govt. to 60% of payment that it receives from BSNL on account of licence fees, cess tax, dividends etc., are under serious consideration of DOT and the govt. Issue of option to continue in CDA scale till the date of promotion/retirement is under serious consideration of DOP & PW. Future challenges enumerated by GS to be effectively met are recruitment of MTs, deficiencies existing in new transfer policy, absorption of ITS and continued financial viability of BSNL. 

Decisions of the CWC on some important issues.

A) Recruitment of MTs: After detailed discussion on this important issue for about four to five hours in the context of the instructions issued by BSNL Management on recruitment of MTs and the stand taken to oppose it organizationally, along with other Associations, it was decided to make all round and complete organizational preparation to face the situation arising out of issuing of instructions of 13th Sept.,07 on recruitment of MTs. GS summed up the elaborate discussion by urging upon everyone present in the august house to immediately undertake extensive organizational tours and prepare grass root membership for an inevitable struggle on this important issue. As regards the opinion expressed by the house on various aspects of instructions issued by the BSNL Management on recruitment of MTs, GS felt that, in view of diverse opinion on and the complexity of the issue, CHQ should have some flexibility to negotiate on the issue to reach a settlement, of course, within the ambit of the opinion expressed by the house. But what is extremely significant and vital is the level of organizational preparedness, GS informed the house. As of now, BSNL Management appears to be quite firm to go ahead with the decision that it has already taken on the issue of recruitment of MTs, GS apprised the house. This stand of GS was by and large endorsed by the house.

B) New transfer policy guidelines issued by the BSNL Management: GS informed the house that this Association has all along opposed tooth and nail the policy of rotational transfers, both in DOT and in BSNL. Even though the instructions of DoT on rotational transfers date back to 1981, yet they could not be implemented primarily because of their irrelevance for a massive sized service organization like DOT/BSNL and our tough and vigilant stand. However, the new guidelines issued by BSNL do not speak of any rotation, but only addresses the issue from point of view of meeting the shortages, exigency of services, meeting requests and shortages at tenure stations etc. Even with regard to losing claim over time bound promotion in case of JTOs seeking transfer from one circle to another, it is applicable to only those who seek transfer before completion of five years and is meant to discourage JTOs from seeking transfer through political and other means. In those cases where the transfer is issued under rule 38, after completion of five years, existing situation remains unchanged. GS also informed the house that the criterion for counting of stay for inter circle transfers has also been changed, the stay now onwards shall be counted from the executive cadre i.e JTO onwards, and not from the cadres below JTO, as used to be the practice. We also had demanded counting of stay from SDE onwards for inter circle transfers. After detailed discussion, lasting about four hours, GS rounded off the discussion by informing the house that genuine discrepancies existing in the policy and pointed out during the course of discussions shall be duly communicated to the Management and best efforts would be made to sort them out.

 C) ITS absorption and financial viability of BSNL: - GS apprised the house about the sustained, consistent and virtually single handed efforts of the association in the direction of forcing the absorption of ITS Gr A and the steps it has been relentlessly taking in this direction. GS also gave a detailed account of the legal action that it has been contemplating to initiate and the extensive discussions it has been having of late with the lawyers on the question of finalizing most appropriate legal action that could be taken and accepted by the courts. As regards creating pressure on DOT to initiate tough measures on the issue by way of appropriate trade union actions, GS informed the house that such actions shall have no affect in isolation and have to be initiated from the platform of joint forum only. GS did not agree with the suggestion and perception of CS and CWC member from MP Circle that Association should chalk out independent organizational actions and accordingly adopt a resolution. They felt that Association at the CHQ level is not serious on this issue and is not taking any concrete action. GS reiterated that their perception on this issue has to be realistic and the right strategy would be to create sufficient pressure through united action from platform of Joint forum and also to continue to explore appropriate legal intervention. GS assured the house that Association shall continue to treat this as a priority issue and act accordingly as it has been doing. He urged upon the house to appreciate the limitations that it is subject to as far as taking decisions to launch independent organizational actions on this issue is concerned. However, both the representatives from MP Circle remained unconvinced. On the issue of financial viability of BSNL, GS informed the house that the association shall continue to play a frontline and major role in focussing all important issues of viability of BSNL and also shall play a positive and leading role in mobilizing opinion on issues of importance in the joint forum. This has again to be done from the platform of the Joint forum.                                       

 D) Amendments to the constitution: Constitution amendment committee under the Chairmanship of Com George Varghese, with Com B.G.Patel and Com Dilip Saha as its other two members, proposed certain amendments to the constitution before the house. After a thorough discussion on the amendments proposed, some of the amendments were approved by the house, whereas, it was decided that the remaining would be discussed in the next CWC. We shall very shortly put on our site the amendments approved by the house.       

Power point presentation of the submissions made before the 2nd pay panel: Power point presentation of the submissions made by the association before 2nd pay panel at New Delhi on 6th Sept.,07 was seen by the CSs, CWC members, CHQ office bearers and Comrades of Kerala Circle.  

Open session on 29th Sept.,07 at 1530 hrs:

A colourful open session was held on 29th Sept., at 1530 hrs and was attended and addressed by Director(O)/BSNL Board, Sh.J.R.Gupta, Jt Secy/DOT and member/ BSNL Board, Sh. M. Sahu, Sh. K.S. Srinivasan, CGM/Kerala Circle, Sh. George. T. Mathai, PGM/Thiruvananthapuram, Com. V.Subburaman, GS/TEPU and Com W.Seshagiri Rao, President/NCOA. More than 400 Comrades from various parts of Kerala Circle and nearby SSAs of TN Circle participated in the open session. After welcome address by Com. K. Sebstian, CS/Kerala, GS highlighted the issues of viability of BSNL and focussed on the issues of poor career growth of executives, with strong emphasis on acute stagnation that executives face and the apathy of he BSNL Management in dealing with it. Director(O) and Jt Secy/DOT dwelt on the issues of growth of BSNL, outlining the future road map. Both of them mentioned that some immediate action is being taken by the BSNL Management to address the issues of career growth of executives. Com V.  Subburaman, GS/TEPU, also impressed upon the BSNL Management to take timely action to address the issues of poor career growth of executives/non executives and also of growth of BSNL. President/NCOA, Com W.Seshagiri Rao, also highlighted the issues relating to extremely poor career growth of executives and made an impassioned appeal to both the officers present to address these issues on an urgent basis. Com S.L.Reddy, CHQ/president, presided over the function and summed up the deliberations of the session. Com. T. Issac, Jt Secy(S), presented vote of thanks. The open session was conducted in an orderly manner by Com. K.D.Sebstian, Circle President/Kerala

Inauguration of the Association building of Kerala Circle on 29th Sept.,07 at Thiruvananthapuram:

 A towering three storey building, fully furnished and complete in all respects, was inaugurated by Com S.L.Reddy, CHQ/President, Com W. Seshagiri Rao, NCOA/President and GS on the morning of 29th Sept.,07. Almost all the CWC members, CSs and CHQ office bearers, besides large number of Comrades of Kerala Circle, were present on the occasion. The extraordinary commitment of Comrades of Kerala Circle is demonstrated by the fact that the entire expenditure of about 27 lakhs incurred on the renovation of the building has been met entirely through contribution from our Comrades of Kerala Circle, not by any kind of external donation or assistance. The classic building that has come up is unique in its own way, with all modern and very high grade amenities equipped to make stay very comfortable. We have no words to congratulate Comrades of Kerala Circle for their outstanding contribution in making this project a complete success. Com. N. A. Abraham, our senior comrade of Thiruvananthapuram, devoted all his precious time and energy in completely overseeing the entire renovation work. Hats off to Com K. Sebstian, CS/Kerala, and his entire team for their extraordinary efforts.                  

The house was adjourned sine-die at 0420 hrs of 30th Sept.,07 after resolutions by various circles expressing gratitude to comrades of Kerala Circle for making excellent arrangements for successful completion of CWC meet were placed before and adopted by the house. 

22th September, 2007 We had invited Hon'ble MOC to  attend our CWC at 8th September '2007, however Hon'ble MOC asked us to defer the working committee meeting because of his preoccupation in the then ongoing parliamentary session, he also assured us and confirmed that he would address our CWC on 29th September 2007, in fact the itinerary to address us on 29th and his travel programme was also finalised, unfortunately and sadly enough his beloved mother had an untimely demise, due to this Hon'ble MOC has conveyed his inability to attend our CWC because of the religious rituals that he has to observe and which incidentally fall on 29th of September 2007. Minister expresses his best wishes for the success of the meet at Thiruvananthapuram. The Association expresses deep and heartfelt condolences to the Hon'ble Minister because of the demise of his mother and the condolences were also conveyed to Hon'ble MOC by CHQ office bearers at Chennai on 18th September 2007. Click here for the letter on behalf of  Hon'ble MOC.

20th September, 2007 1. We are very much thankful to our Dir(O), Shri J.R. Gupta for having acceded to our request by enabling us to get the enhanced calls on our RSTC connections and STD and Roaming on our mobile connections. Congratulations! Click

 2. Scheme and syllabus of Competitive examination from JTO(C) to SDE (C) Click

19th September, 2007Circle Conference of Chennai Telephones was held on 18th and 19th September 2007. A Grand Technical Seminar was held  during morning session on 18th  with Shri G. Selvam GM  as Moderator. The Open Session held in the evening was attended by Sri. M.P. Veluswamy CGM, Com.G.L. Jogi  G.S., Com S.L. Reddy CHQ President ,Com.W. Seshagiri Rao President NCOA, Com K. Ashok Rao Secretary General NCOA, Com. T.Issac Jt. Secy. South, Com R. Ashokan AGS, Com. H. Muthu Treasurer, Veteran Com A. Sugumaran , Joint Forum Leaders, Circle President Com. M. Ranganathan and Circle Secretary Com.V. Sundar .  Sugumaran. Com. M. Ranganathan, Circle President, Com. V.Sunder Circle Secretary, and Leaders of Joint Forum. About 400 members attended the meeting.

           Coms. M. Munuswamy, S. Venkatraman, H. Ramgopal were unanimously elected as Circle President, Circle Secretary andd Circle Treasurer respectively. Coms. V. Sunder, S.Sundararajanand K. Bharath were elected as CWC Members.

18th September, 2007GS, CHQ President Com.S.L.Reddy, NCOA President Com.W.Seshagiri Rao, Com.T.Issac Jt Secretary (South), Com.S.Suburaman GS TEPU and other activists of our Tamilnadu Organisation met Hon.MOC& IT  Thiru.A.Raja on 18-09-2007 at Chennai and offered our heartfelt condolences to the Hon.Minister because of the demise of his mother.

16th September, 2007  RR of management trainee issued.  click

13th September, 2007GS writes to Secretary DOT -  immediately put ongoing DPC from JAG to SAG and SAG to HAG against the posts of BSNL on hold. Hon’ble High Court of Delhi very recently in a significant order has imposed moratorium for filling up of posts of SAG and HAG in MTNL by those who are not absorbed in MTNL. This order of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi is more than sufficient for administrative ministry to act swiftly and immediately to put on hold the ongoing process of promoting ITS officers of DOT not absorbed in BSNL to SAG and HAG against the posts of BSNL. There is absolutely no need for a separate order as far as BSNL is concerned.

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11th September, 2007 It was good to witness India thrashing South Korea by a margin of 7-2 in the recently concluded Asia Cup, Hockey tournament. Do you know this was BSNL sponsored Asia Cup and the name itself was BSNL, Asia Cup. Any it was a good beginning for BSNL sponsoring the right kind of tournaments as India also tasted victory after a lapse of almost three years and qualified in world cup. Kudos to CMD, BSNL and his team for the developments.

11th September, 2007 Request transfers in the cadre of SDE Civil issued. We are thankful to the comrades of civil wing who intimated us about their grievance. We are also thankful to Sr. DDG(Est.) for the timely intervention in the case.>>>>>>>> The SDEs who have served 3 yrs in a particular station, their cases have been considered in request transfers.

2. The Association had already taken up the issue of counting of resultant vacancy arising in the cadre of SDE after promotion to EE and thus as a result it is under positive consideration in both Electrical and Civil wing.  Very soon these vacancies in the cadre of SDE will be counted in the forthcoming DPC(i.e in the DPC from JTO to SDE).Congratulations to our comrades for raising this issue.

7th September, 2007 National Convention of Jt. Forum of Executives and non-executives representing 14 Unions/Associations of BSNL was held on 7th of September 2007, from 11.00 hrs to 15:00 hrs in the premises of Eastern Court, Janpath, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Com. Vallinayakam and Com. Namboodari being the convener. More than 500 delegates across the country participated in the convention making it as one of its own kind. It was also attended and addressed by Hon'ble MPs namely ,Shri Harish Rawat(Congress), Shri Sitaram Yetchuri,CPI(M), Shri Kuppuswamy(DMK) and Shri Gurudas DasGupta(CPI). Com.M.K.Pandhey,President CITU,along with the Korean delegation also attended and addressed the convention.

Various representatives of Unions/ Associations of BSNL spoke on different subjects mainly concerning with the financial viability of BSNL. From our side Com. S.L.Reddy spoke mainly on viability of BSNL and Strongly advocated for ITS absorption at the earliest. Com. Khan, AGS presided the function along with representives of other Unions/Associations each. GS could not attend the function due to recurring sprain in his leg. Com. Pallab Bose,CS UP(E), Com. V.K.Yadav, CS UP(W) and Com. Dahiya, CS(Haryana) along with comrades of their Circles also attended the convention. At the end Com. Anupam Kaul ,CS , Delhi Circle gave vote of thanks.

The National Convention unanimously adopted the following declaration>>>>>>>>>>.

7th September, 2007GS addresses Hon. Minister Of Communications & IT - Absorption of ITS Gr A in BSNL – an issue of utmost importance and highest priority. >>>>>>>>>>>>>

7th September, 2007

Submission before 2^nd pay panel:

Association made a comprehensive power point presentation before 2^nd pay panel committee covering all vital issues relating to growth of BSNL, its income, revenues, profits and growth of its cellular and wired lines. Presentation also focussed on the future challenges and objectives of BSNL and our role in achieving those objectives. Important observations and questions were raised by the members of the committee on the issues of growth of BSNL and how to accomplish sustained growth in BSNL.

Interaction with the members of the committee was quite absorbing, resulting in a lively and fruitful discussion on issues of ending of disparity in pay scales of executives in MTNL and BSNL,  IDA pay scales projected by us w.e.f  1.1.2007 and the criterion arrived at in formulating these scales, removal of ceiling on gratuity, maintaining of ratio between the lowest and highest paid employee and executive in the organization, granting of broader flexibility to the Managements of CPSUs to decide pay scales within broad guidelines of the pay committee, recommending open ended pay scales to avoid stagnation, granting of increments as percentage of basic pay, merger of 50% IDA with basic, granting of interim relief, bringing about complete parity between CDA and IDA etc. On all these issues very interesting discussion took place and searching questions were asked by members of the committee on some of these issues.

We are quite satisfied that we could finish our brief power point presentation running into 40 pages well in time and were also in a position to elucidate on the  issues contained in the presentation and respond to the queries raised by the members of the committee.

Association side was represented by Com W. Seshagiri Rao, Com S.L Reddy, GS, Com A  A Khan and Com Rakesh Mehta. All the members of the committee, including its chairman, were present. Com W.Seshagiri Rao responded to many important queries in an ideal manner.

We have prepared two sets of colourful and informative reports for consideration of the pay committee, one an exhaustive one running into 90 pages and the other a brief one on the basis of which power point representation was made, running into 40 pages. Both these reports are available in our site for the benefit of our members and others also.  

We request the PAY REVISION COMMITTEE  to consider and recommend favorably our following major issues.

•         Ending disparity in pay scales with MTNL.

•         IDA pay scales w.e.f 1-1-2007 based on the criterion of multiplying IDA pay scales as on 1-1-1997 by factor ranging from 3.45 to 3.86.

•         Rate of Increment should be 5% of basic pay.

•         Merger of 50 % IDA with Basic Pay w.e.f. 1-1-2005.

•         Autonomy to BSNL Board for deciding pay packages based on guidelines issued by Government.

•         Periodicity of pay revision should be once in 5 years.

•         The ratio of B.P. between the highest and the lowest paid employee should be 10:1.

•         To make IDA and CDA base same.

•         Interim relief @ 30 % of salary w.e.f 1-1-2007.

•         Removal of ceiling on Gratuity.

   Brief Power point presentation to Pay panel by SNEA Part I  >>>>>>>>>>

Meeting with CMD/BSNL: CHQ President, Com S.L.Reddy, NCOA President, Com W. Seshagiri Rao, GS, AGS, Com Khan and Jt Secy(W), Com Rakesh Mehta met CMD and very strongly pleaded with and urged upon him to support our stand regarding parity of pay scales between BSNL and M TNL before 2^nd pay panel. We apprised him about our discussions with the pay panel and our stand on this issue. Also the issues of absorption of ITS Gr A, finalization of Gr A RRs, immediate membership verification were discussed. On the issues of absorption of ITS Gr A and holding of membership verification, we made it very clear to CMD that we are not going to accept any further delay in deciding these issues. Particularly, on the issue of ITS Gr A absorption, we expressed our strong resentment over the manner in which such an important issue was being dealt with by BSNL Management and impressed upon him to act urgently. CMD assured us that Gr A RRs shall be finalized very shortly and also informed us that he discussed the issue of ITS Gr A absorption with Secy/DOT a few days before. He further informed us that some action is being taken to resolve the issue.    

7th September, 2007GS addresses Hon. Minister Of Communications & IT - Absorption of ITS Gr A in BSNL – an issue of utmost importance and highest priority. >>>>>>>>>>>>>

3rd September, 2007  BSNL employees transfer policy>>>>>>>>>>  

i.e   Transfer policy for executives/non-executives.

THE ASSOCIATION WILL OPPOSE AND DEFEAT THE RETROGRADE PORTION INCORPORATED IN THE TRANSFER POLICY.

3rd September, 2007Payment of adhoc amount of Rs. 2000/- per month to Gr. 'B' officers of DOT / DTS / DTO , working on deemed deputation basis in BSNL and against whom disciplinary proceedings are pending-regarding.>>>>>>>>>>.This issue was taken by us for payment of Rs. 2000/- for those having major/ minor penalty pending against them. The management Committee had approved the same.The matter was further taken to the BSNL Board and finally the payment of Rs. 2000/- was only agreed to persons having minor penalty pending against them.

MORE EVENTS

AUGUST  2007 EVENTS>>> 

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