Restructuring, new Staffing norms and its impact on Promotions:
Director (HR) invited SNEA for a presentation on the subject on 05.03.2021. GS, President and both AGSs made the presentation to DIR(HR), PGM(Pers), Sr GM(Estt) and GM(Restg). The presentation went on for two hours explaining the stand of SNEA on Restg, Staffing norms and future promotions.
The management move gives a clear indication that it planned promotions only after completion of Restructuring and any propaganda by some groups otherwise is simply a whisper to divert the attention of Executives by making false promises. It establishes earlier observation of SNEA is correct. It is also understood that other Assn accepted the ground reality now and given a presentation on Restg.
We utilized this opportunity to explain the new Non-post based Time Bound Promotion Policy, BEPPARR 2017 and how it works on its implementation. We could clear all the doubts of DIR(HR) and others on the subject. Salient features of the presentation are:
I. Staffing Norms & Restructuring:
i) The provisional norms for JTO/SDE, CAO and DE are required to be revised. Urban, Rural and Hilly areas are to be distinguished and Rural and Hilly areas are to be given additional weightage for Landline/BB/FTTH/Leased cct/MPLS etc. We suggested the following:
JTO/SDE(Rural) : From 2,500 DEL To 1,000 DEL (for Xges less than 100 DEL) & 1,500 DEL (for small Xges)
JTO/SDE (Urban) : From 7,500 DEL To 5,000 DEL
DE(Rural) : From 7,500 DEL To 5,000 DEL
DE (Urban) : From 21,000 DEL To 10,000 DEL
ii) As per the Restg plan, AGM and DGM can be interchanged. This is possible only when promotion to DGM is on Time Bound, we explained.
iii) There is no DGM in the field units under Cat II BAs which will create operational issues. The DGM level posts in Category II BAs required to be revised, 2/3 DGM post is to be sanctioned, combining SDCAs with combined revenue more than Rs 30 Cr, we proposed.
II. JTO to AGM equivalent Grade has to be made a single cluster with combined strength: A fair ratio can be maintained between JTO+SDE+Sr SDE --à AGM --à DGM --àGM
III. Post based promotions. It may take minimum 5 to 6 years due to litigations on Reservation issue:
i) Promotions made in 2018 in AO, CAO and DE cadres become provisional. Now appeal filed in High Court. It will take 5 to 6 years to complete the litigations in High Court and then in Hon SC. If the SC judgment is in favour of BSNL, it can proceed further but it will take minimum 5 to 6 years. If Hon SC dismisses the BSNL petition and agreeing to CAT orders, then no one can say when further promotion will take place as it is linked with Nagaraj Judgment and its implementation.
ii) For other cadres, including SDE(T), there is no stay on promotion. But promotion with reservation is stopped by the clarification issued by DoT and Law Ministry in October 2020.
IV. Future promotional avenues:
We presented a chart on i) present sanctioned strength and working strength in each cadre, ii) Present status of Promotion in all the cadres and iii) Present working strength.
Stagnation and huge disparity in promotion among equivalent cadres is the biggest issue in BSNL, leading to all litigations which is to be addressed, we explained.
Due to Reservation issue and Restructuring, new promotion policy is approved. We explained the need for immediate implementation:
In every PSU, pay scales are directly linked with corresponding Grade. BSNL also has to work towards that. The situation in BSNL is that JTOs are working in E1, E2, E3, E4 and E5 scales, it should change. In the provisional norms, JTO & SDE are clubbed together and made interchangeable which is as per the new promotion policy. Then there is no problem in giving promotions from JTO to SDE, Sr SDE and DE equivalent Grades, after every 5 years.
New Executives has to reach AGM/CAO equivalent Grade at the age of 40 to 45 yrs. Then they will have further promotional avenues to DGM Grade at the age of 50 to 55 years, SG JAG Grade/ Jt GM Grade at the age of 50-55 years, Addl GM/GM Grade etc [AGM: 40-45 yrs, DGM:50-55 yrs, SG JAG: 50-55 yrs]. As suspected by management, stagnation after DE promotion will not happen.
In other PSUs, Executives are reaching DGM Grade in 12 to 15 years, at the age of about 35 - 40 years, through 3 to 4 Non-post based Time Bound Functional promotions and then moving upwards as GM and CGM etc and leading the company, we explained.
As decided by the Board, Reservation policies of the Govt will be followed in the new Promotion policy also. Interest of SC/ST category Executives will be protected by this. As in EPP 2007, Reservation will not become an issue in the new policy also as all eligible Executives (OC/SC/ST category) gets promotion from JTO to SDE to Sr SDE and DE. There will not be a single eligible Executive left to consider for promotion. In SCF and LDCE promotion also if eligible and qualified Executives are not available, promotion cannot be made. As of now, JTOs with 20 years of service and belongs to SC/ST category (2001 rect) did not got SDE promotion but as per new policy, all JTOs having 5 years of service will get promotion which one cannot imagine. All SC/ST Executives are waiting for that, assured promotion in 5 years. Further queries of DIR(HR) also clarified in this regard.
Executives should become DGM Regular atleast when he gets SG JAG Scale, on Time Bound basis we suggested.
We explained on implementation of new policy, how it works and cleared the alleys of top management that huge number of Executives will become AGM/CAO and operational issues will arise.
Immediate requirement of DGM(T/F) can be met by promotion with onetime relaxation in the Qualifying service. They are having sufficient experience as DE/CAO. They worked many years as DE/CAO on Offtg/LA basis before regular promotion. The Ahoc DGMs are to be regularised first.
Service of Executives in Civil/Electrical/Arch/TF/CSS etc wings are to be gainfully utilised, ensuring uniform promotional avenues.
V. Fast Track Promotion:
On specific query from DIR(HR) on Fast Track promotion in the new policy, we explained that it is proposed in the second part. We proposed that promotion to GM, CGM Grade is to be as per merit through:
a) Intl MT OR
b) Fast Track promotion for limited candidates with less qualifying service, every year, based on performance OR
c) Fast Track promotion for limited candidates as per the company requirement each year with less qualifying service, based on: i) Written examination, ii) APAR Grading, iii) Service weightage, iv) GD/Interview, v) Additional qualifications etc.