BSNLEU discussed important issues of the employees and the Company with the CMD BSNL..

On 17-10-2024, BSNLEU wrote a letter to the CMD BSNL and requested for a meeting to discuss certain important issues related to the Non-Executives and the Company. In that letter, BSNLEU has listed the items for discussion. This meeting took place yesterday, the 28-10-2024. From the Union, Com. Animesh Mitra, President, Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary and Com. Ashwin Kumar, Organising Secretary (CHQ) participated in this meeting. Together with the CMD BSNL, Shri Kalyan Sagar Nippani, Director (HR) also participated in this meeting. The following issues were discussed in detail.

1. 1. Non-fulfilment of Management’s commitment on new pay scales of the Non-Executives.

It was explained by the BSNLEU representatives that, consensus was already reached in the Wage Negotiating Committee on 27-07-2018, regarding to the new pay scales of the Non-Executives. However, it was pointed out that, the Management had subsequently gone back from the commitment given to the new pay scales and has proposed shorter pay scales for the Non-Executives. This is the reason why a  deadlock has arisen in the Wage Negotiation of the Non-Executives, stated the leaders. committee. If these shorter pay scales are accepted, then, once again the Non-Executives will be facing the problem of Stagnation in future, explained the leaders. They sought the intervention of the CMD BSNL, for the implementation of the pay scales already finalised in the Wage Negotiating Committee meeting, held on 27-07-2018, so that the Wage Revision agreement could be signed expeditiously. The CMD BSNL assured that this issue would be looked into.

1. 2. Allowing BSNL to utilise Vodafone Idea’s 4G network, for providing 4G service to BSNL’s customers.

BSNLEU leaders explained to the CMD BSNL that, the extreme delay in the launching of BSNL‘s 4G service is costing the Company dearly. They pointed out that, the customers are very unhappy due to the non-availability of high speed data service with BSNL. They also pointed out the recent statement made by the Hon’ble Minister of Communications, Shri Jyothiraditya Scindia, wherein he had stated that, the commissioning of BSNL‘s 4G BTSs would be completed only in June 2025. The leaders demanded that, as a temporary measure, BSNL should take steps for sharing the 4G networks of Vodafone Idea, for providing 4G service to its customers. However, the CMD BSNL, did not accept this demand. He told that, the tariff of Vodafone Idea were very high, as a result of which BSNL will end up paying very high amount for sharing Vodafone Idea’s 4G network.

1. 3. Massive disconnection of BSNL‘s FTTH connections – provisioning and maintenance of FTTH connections should be taken over by BSNL.

The representatives of BSNLEU brought to the notice of the CMD BSNL that, BSNL’s FTTH connections are getting surrendered massively. They added that, very poor maintenance of the service by the FTTH partners was the main reason behind these surrenderings. They cited the example of Kerala, where the surrounding ratio of BSNL’s FTTH connections is 42%. Hence, they demanded that, BSNL should discard the TIPs and should take over the provisioning and maintenance of the FTTH service on its own. However, the CMD BSNL stated that this proposal cannot be implemented in view of the fact that, BSNL is not having sufficient manpower to implement this proposal. The CMD BSNL insisted that, the employees should do the marketing of FTTH connections for BSNL.

1. 4. Non-implementation of the DoT order on payment of retirement benefits to the ST officials of Maharashtra circle.

The retirement benefits of a number of ST employees in Maharashtra circle have not been settled. The retirement benefits are not paid, under the pretext that verification of their caste certificates is not completed. This is total violation of the DoP&T orders. On 22^nd March, 2022, the DoT, citing the relevant DoP&T orders, issued categorical direction to the CMD BSNL, stating that, payment of retirement benefits should not be withheld due to non-completion of verification of caste certificates. However, even thereafter, the retirement benefits of many ST employees of Maharashtra circle have been withheld under the pretext of non-completion of verification of caste certificates. BSNLEU discussed this issue with the CMD BSNL in yesterday's meeting and demanded that the DoT order on this subject should immediately be implemented. After some discussion, the CMD BSNL directed the Director (HR) to look into this issue and to take the needful action.

1. 5. Declare the results of the JTO LICEs conducted for the vacancy years of 2015-16; 2016-17 and 201 7-18 in Punjab circle and promote the successful candidates - BSNLEU tells the CMD BSNL.

Details of this discussion are separately updated on the website.

1. 6. Sanction of Festival Advance to the Employees.

Right from the day of the DoT, employees have been getting Festival Advance. Even after formation of BSNL, this system continued. However, the previous CMD BSNL has stopped payment of Festival Advance, citing the financial crisis of the Company.  BSNLEU has already raised this issue with the then CMD BSNL a year ago. However, the demand was not accepted. Again, this issue was raised with the CMD BSNL in yesterday’s meeting. The Management has assured that this issue would be considered positively.

1. 7. Requesting to resume deduction of LIC premium from the salary of the employees.

All along, the premium amounts of LIC and PLI policies were deducted from the salary of the employees and remitted to the concerned organisation. However, this practice was stopped during the tenure of the last CMD BSNL, without any rhyme or reason. Thereafter, BSNLEU has demanded that for the LIC policies taken by our employees, the premium amount should be deducted from the salary of the employees and paid to LIC. It must be born in mind that, LIC is a government of India Company. This issue was also discussed in the meeting with the CMD BSNL yesterday. After discussion, the CMD BSNL assured that this issue would be looked into.  

1. 8. Payment of increased DA to casual labourers w.e.f. 01.01.2024.

The listed casual labourers working in BSNL are being paid wages based on the 6^th CPC pay scale. For those who are getting wages based on the 6^th CPC pay scales, DA has increased by 9% w.e.f. 01.01.2024. However, this DA increase has not been paid to the casual labourers. BSNLEU has already written letter to the CMD BSNL on this issue. This issue was again raised with the CMD BSNL in the meeting held yesterday. The CMD BSNL accepted the demand and assured that the payment would be made shortly.