Report on Special meeting By Director HR with SNEA CHQ Team on different HR issues:
Continued…… VIII
Scrapping of MT and DR DGM RRs: In continuation of proposal of fast track promotions, the issue of need of fresh talent in BSNL at higher level management was discussed. Director HR categorically questioned why associations are not in favour of MT and why some particular association has approached court of law for stopping even Internal MT recruitment for which BSNL has conducted examination and only result is to be declared. He stressed that for the growth of BSNL, the flow of fresh talent is essential in BSNL. He added that in days to come there will be no inflow at DGM/GM level on deputation in BSNL and hence BSNL should have its own management.
Director HR expressed that it is not understood why some associations do not want this internal exams to happen in BSNL and opposing to the extreme extent of declaration of results of examination conducted. We informed that we do not know about others, but SNEA has decided in all its CWCs and AICs to support Internal MTs and oppose External MTs. Accordingly we have always supported for internal MT and we continue to oppose External MTs because BSNL is having excellent and capable inhouse talent which can be part of higher management of BSNL and only required is to give them the opportunity to move upward with free and fair competitio n.In external MTs, this inhouse talent of BSNL is not allowed and hence we oppose External MTs.
We made it clear that SNEA has and will always promote for Internal MTs and we have been at forefront to promote internal talent of BSNL in BSNL higher level management. With same spirit and tempo, SNEA has earlier supported recruitment of executives in BSNL at DGMs level, but management has done everything for recruitment of only External DGMs and they are promoted as GMs and are now waiting for their promotions as PGM/ CGMs. But even after a decade, same BSNL management has done nothing for recruitment of DGMs from Internal quota and till vacancies are unfilled. It is unfortunate that the excellent and experienced talent available within the BSNL is denied opportunity to be part of BSNL management even though they were possessing required educational qualification but restricted by applying eligibility pay scale which was well within hands of BSNL. We expressed that the executives in BSNL who were capable and aspirant of becoming part of Management and who were ready to face competition, were not allowed for appearing examination and outcome of these actions is that BSNL could not get the experienced talent as DGMs in BSNL. BSNL.
Director HR informed that there were issues in DGM recruitment but it cannot be the reason for stopping Recruitment at Higher level at least to certain fixed percentage. He added that BSNL is expecting fresh talent from the Market who can lead this organization and take it to new heights. He expressed that If association which has stalled this process, would have allowed Management to complete this process then these internal MTs in BSNL may have completed their training by now and would have been part of higher management.
Director HR further informed that he is serious to complete this process of MTs and will not divert these vacancies as being asked for. We have opposed for conduction of External MTs stating that already available talent at DGM level is not utilized and also the executives in JTO/SDE Cadre are not allowed to compete in External MT by putting certain conditions.
We also added that there may be the case that if person appeared for JTO but failed to qualify as JTO but in the mean time they may have acquired /completed MBA/ M Tech and hence he may be eligible. But one who is successful in JTO examination and has joined BSNL and serving as JTO may not be eligible due to clause of higher educational qualification prescribed by BSNL and it is injustice to BSNL Executives.
Director HR informed that will not be the case and BSNL has no issue in promoting internal talent and assured that SDEs and equivalent executives also can appear the MT Exams. We insisted that there is need to allow all executives including JTOs to compete in the External MTs and in that case SNEA will support such recruitment of External MTs also.
Director HR informed that it is good proposal and all JTOs and equivalent Executive cadres can be allowed in External MT examination. We requested that BSNL is not in need of total number of the Executives under MT quota in one stroke to the extent the vacancies are kept reserved for years together under External MT Quota. We stressed that there is need to review these vacancies under External MT Quota and to make recruitment depending on year wise vacancies or actual and urgent requirement. Director HR and appreciated our concern and asked association to come forward for these discussions.
Director HR appealed associations may come forward to negotiate the total number of vacancies of external MT from present 50% to actual requirement which cannot be nil as demanded by SNEA and same can be decided by discussions but we should not stop the process of Internal or External MTs. Director HR in conclusion appreciated our concern and asked association to come forward for further discussions and to decide the overall process and method of fast track promotions in BSNL.
Review of Restructuring Norms and justified/sanctioned post of executives as per practical requirement: Association pointed out the discrepancies in calculation of the Executive strength by BSNL and how even the norms issued by BSNL are not followed and how the total number of posts in all wings and for all cadres are shown less that actually justified.
We elaborated that this wrong calculation has badly affected total justified strength of executives and many executives are shown less than that of practical and minimum required executives in filed units to run the show. We added that this is reason why the executives in filed units have multiple charges and are unable to give total justice to the works assigned. We elaborated that after mass VRS, there is multifold increase in the workload and with further reduction of number of justified posts due to non-realistic calculations of justified post and created 3 to 4 times burden to majority of executives.
We requested for review of the justified strength of executives in all wings and all cadres. It was responded by PGM Estt that the justification has been done as per the norms and there is no deviation as stated by association. We responded that BSNL has defined guidelines for justifying any post of executives on certain norms i.e. one post of number of total RKM of OFC, Number of BTS, Mtce of Indoor systems and external plants and many rather all Circle have sent the justification on basis of these guidelines but while approving these proposals, BSNL CO has reduced the number of posts by giving limit to total number of posts any Circle have after revised justification. This has been done in total contradiction and has started creating affecting working in Filed units.
As classic example we have quoted the justification approved for CNTX Circle and on prima facie it is seen that CNTXW Circle is having lowest justified strength of executives as compared to other CNTXW Circles even though the Total Length of OFC maintained by CNTXW is more than that of other CNTXW Circle. On this PGM Estt informed that these issues can be taken care in coming days but correction in present justified posts is not possible. We replied that as per Restructuring Norms, the review of the posts is to be done every two years and first review is due.
PGM Estt informed that these guidelines are issued recently and two years period is not competed. We responded that as per the guidelines issued by BSNL itself it is stated that these guidelines are operational from Feb 2020 and hence two years period is over by Feb 2022 and hence review of justified posts needs to be taken care. PGM Estt informed that he will check for the reference made by association about review of the norms, but as these norms of justified are not yet implemented fully, it cannot be decided on its review. We elaborated that review can be done by taking into consideration the practical requirement as per guidelines issued by BSNL and we are not demanding anything out of pretext of the guidelines. This issue of reduced number of justified posts is equally seen in justification of posts in all wings including Civil and Electrical wings and it has become reason for blocking promotions to certain extent. In conclusion of discussions,
Director HR assured to look into concern expressed by association and check for possibilities for corrective action to revised posts. He also directed PGM Estt to look into the concern raised by association about a smaller number of justified posts in CNTXW Circle as compared to other CNTXW Circle. He also directed association to give detailed feedback on these issues and we have assured to submit details along with supporting documents.
Keeping on hold the procedure for review of RRs and review the matter as fresh: During discussions on promotions and justification of posts on restructuring norms, SNEA has narrated that BSNL is having already approved RRs for all cadres and there is no reason for review of the RRs. We also pointed out that when BSNL executives are being given promotion in higher functional grade in Time Bound manner 4 to 5 years, the proposal of review of RRs which does not guarantee Regular promotion in time Bound manner cannot be acted by the executives. The review of RRs is attempted to deprive BSNL executives from five Time Bound Promotions in carrier progressions of Executives in BSNL as assured by DoT in writing to this association which was part of the negotiation of terms and conditions of absorption in BSNL. WE narrated that BSNL has approved Time Bound promotion policy which given guarantee of five promotions and by proposing review of RRs, it is seen that this policy is being indirectly scrapped and new policy is being introduced which is not correct.
We added that in the new RRs again BSNL is starting with Adhoc promotions starting form JTO/SDE cadres, where no Adhoc Promotions were issued in BSNL at any time. The Adhoc promotions were and are issued at level of DGMs and above, but is no case, Adhoc SDE Promotions were issued. But these RRs are proposing Adhoc promotions from SDE cadre even after delay of 12 years. Further, we added that BSNL has officially declared that there is no difference in workload of JTO/SDE and hence these posts are interchangeable and hence equal status.
That means any JTO getting Adhoc promotion after 12 years, will continue to work on this Adhoc and temporary posts till the post is created either by retirement or death of executive already working in Regular and functional post. Hence such Temporary promotions will not serve any purpose and hence there is no need of any revisions of RRs and BSNL should go ahead with existing RRs for filling all vacant posts of executives in all wings and all cadres as being proposed by BSNL management and then further course of action, the promotions may be issued as per the Time Bound promotion Policy already approved by BSNL.
We added that we will not have no issue if concern observed and faced by the management in present Time Bound promotion Policy is discussed and revised but totally scrapping of Time Bound Promotions is Policy and introduction of new Promotion policy is not accepted to any of the association. Director HR informed that the concern expressed by Association will be taken by revised RRs for which work is under process and most probably in June 22, same will be shared with associations and discussed before its implementation. He added that SNEA may give the views on this amended and modified RRs and assured to incorporate the concern expressed by associations to maximum possible extent.
Action for Promotion for Executives recruited under PWD Quota: We have drawn attention of the Management that though there are guidelines on reservation in promotions for Executives recruited under PWD Category, but is same is not followed in BSNL and these executives are deprived from their promotions. PGM Pers informed that this matter is pending in court at the highest level and hence BSNL has not taken any action.
Further, any decision given by court cannot be implemented by BSNL till it is endorsed by DoPT and DoT. PGM Pers added that BSNL is waiting for clearance of pending cases and endorsement of these guidelines. PGM Pers informed that as per prevailing guidelines the reservation in promotions under PWD Categories is limited for non-Executive posts and not available in Executive post after first recruitment. He firmly assured that as the matter is decided at highest level, the decision will be taken in the favour of these executives by granting reservation in all promotions and assured that BSNL will follow these instructions as and when issued and endorsed by DoPT and DoT.
Updates on discussions held on other agenda points is being updated shortly.