Details of the discussion held between the Director(HR) and unions which had issued notice for hunger strike on 25-11-2019.

Talks were held yesterday the 22.11.2019, between Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR) and the General Secretaries / Representatives of BSNLEU, BTEU, FNTO, BSNL MS, ATM and BSNL OA. The details of the discussions are as follows:-

1. Problems related to commutation of pension to VRS optees.

As per VRS-2019, commutation of pension to the VRS optees, will be allowed only when they attain 60 years of age. However, as per existing rules, a retiree has to apply for pension commutation within one year of his retirement. If not, he has to undergo medical examination, which may create many unwanted problems to the VRS optee. Further, if the VRS optee dies between the date of his going on VRS and the date of his attaining 60 years of age, the family of the VRS optee will not get the benefit of pension commutation. This will result in a huge loss to the family of the VRS optee. Hence, the unions demanded that necessary amendments to the Commutation of Pension Rules should be made, to avoid the above stated sufferings to the VRS optees. However, the Management Side could not give any concrete solution to this problem.

2. Eligibility of 3rd PRC to the VRS optees.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement says that, an official who goes on VRS, is not entitled for Pay Revision implemented retrospectively. Further, it is also categorically stated in the VRS-2019 that “the benefits payable under this scheme shall be in full and final settlement of all claims of whatsoever nature, whether arising under the scheme or otherwise.” This provision in the VRS 2019 makes it very clear that the VRS optees will not be allowed the benefit of 3rd PRC. Hence, in view of the Supreme Court judgement and also the provision contained in VRS-2019, the unions demanded that BSNL Management should give a categorical commitment that the VRS optees will get 3^rd PRC, when implemented retrospectively. However, the Management could not give any commitment in this regard.

3. Implementation of commitment given at the time of formation of BSNL on the age of retirement.

BSNL Management vide it’s letter number BSNL/4/SR/2000 dated the 2nd January, 2001, has given an assurance that the age of retirement (superannuation) for the employees absorbed in BSNL will be regulated in accordance with government rules. However, contrary to this order, employees are being threatened that the retirement age of BSNL employees would be reduced to 58. Hence, the unions demanded that the Management should give a commitment that the assurance given in the above mentioned letter should be honoured. However, due to obvious reasons, the Management Side avoided giving any categorical commitment on this issue.

4. Transfers and roadmap to cop with the workload, in the post-VRS scenario.

The unions bitterly complained that the top officers of BSNL are involved in threatening the employees that they would be transferred if they do not go on VRS. The unions even mentioned the names of the top officers who involved in such threatenings and demanded a commitment from the Management that employees would not be transferred vindictively. On this issue, the response of the Management was positive.

5. Payment of salary, remittance of recoveries and contract workers wages.

The unions demanded that the October salary should be paid immediately, and also the recoveries made from the employees' salaries since May, 2019, should be remitted to the concerned organisations without delay. They also demanded that the 10 month wage arrears of the contract workers should be paid at once. However, on these issues the Management Side was not able to give any assurance.

6. 3^rd PRC and Pension Revision.

The unions demanded that these issues should be settled without further delay. However, the Management Side stated that these issues need to be discussed with the Secretary, Telecom, for which a meeting would be arranged by the BSNL Management at the earliest.

7. Launching of 4G service.

The unions demanded that 4G service should be launched immediately, utilising the spectrum that has been allotted by the government. On this issue the Management Side stated that BSNL’s 4G service would be launched before 31^st March, 2020. 

The discussion lasted for more than 2 hours. At the end of the meeting, the representatives who participated in the discussion reviewed the outcome of the meeting. All the representatives were of the unanimous opinion that the response of the Management Side was unsatisfactory and decided to organise the hunger strike as per schedule.