19 Sep Latest News

Meeting with Circle Management on 16-09-2020

Details

Published Date

An agenda meeting called by Circle management with the Recognised Representative Association, AIGETOA and support association was held as per schedule at Conference Hall, 6th Floor, BSNL Circle office, Trivandrum. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of CGM Sri. C V Vinod ITS and management side was also represented by Smt. Yojanadas PGM(F), Sri. P G Nirmal, GM (S & M- CFA, NWO-CFA & CM), Sri. N Sukumaran, GM (NWP-CM & CFA, EB), Sri. R Satheesh GM HR & Admin, Smt. Leena Rose Thomas DGM ( HR/Admin ), Smt Sunitha George AGM (HR), Smt Renu V SDE (HR). AIGETOA side was represented by Sri Muhammadali M C Circle President, Sri. Saheer S Circle Secretary, Sri. Maxmilan K Circle Treasurer, Sri. Ansal Mohammed CHQ Advisor, Sri. Dipu Chandran CHQ Organising Secretary, Sri. Anil Kani Vice President, Sri. Prasadraj ACS, Sri Abdul Basith ACS, Sri. Vipal Prem VP, Sri. Binoj ACS, Sri. Bijoy DP EKM.

The meeting started with a hearty welcome to the participants from management side. After self introduction from the participants, the meeting congratulated respected PGM F Smt. Yojanadas on her new assignment as Director (F) BSNL Corporate office. Respected CGMT Kerala addressed the meeting with a precise and elaborate speech where he made an emphasis on the revenue and the need for an effort complying to the requirements. CGMT mentioned about the requirement of BSNL Kerala to take the work on making Lakshdweep islands as a smart hub and the roll out of 4G in Kerala at Malappuram & Wayanad. CGMT pointed about the need of internal restructuring based on competitive environment and recent corporate office guidelines. Further PGM F and other GMs addressed the meeting.

Then AIGETOA was called to present views on agenda points. In the opening remarks Circle Secretary Sri. Saheer assured the support from AIGETOA to management on matters that will ensure betterment of BSNL and its employees. Circle President Sri.Muhammadali thanked and appreciated the move from management to have a participative approach on various matters. Circle President intimated that being the only recognised association of executives in BSNL, AIGETOA acknowledges the responsibility of representing all the cadres and sections in BSNL and the efforts by this association will bring the fruits for all. Further we represented our views on each agenda point through a presentation < Click here for the presentation >. We have emphasised the importance of bringing the transparency and the need for rationality in various decisions pertaining to HR and to ensure motivation to the executive fraternity because HR is the most valuable resource of any organization.

The highlights of the discussions held are given below:

Executive manpower redeployment

We have intimated to the circle administration that, since the justification, norms and sanctioned strength especially SDE/AO/JTO/JAOs based on restructuring is still awaited from corporate office, the discussion with respect to justification of staff strength is not required. Rather present working strength may be used to cater various internal requirements within the BAs & Circle if required, after considering request transfers, options and through LA arrangements. We raised the concern that now 5 BAs in Kerala don’t have regular GM in place and how the allotment of 5 more GMs in EKM can be made? Thus from DGM to JTO/JAO level, we submitted a proposal where by each category of BAs can be served with present conditions (with changes as needed may be worked out for different BAs w.r.t. revenue, working lines & geographical area) in addition to the executive deployment at circle office wings.

We have pointed out that management need to consider the various aspects with regard to the prevailing organizational structure and the pre-requisites which was explained in detail before any such changes. We stressed the fact the there was no reduction of work in any executive cadre in post VRS scenario. There is no outsourcing of activities in accounts wing rather the works are increased and core accounting need to be strengthened. The Infra related issues – mainly with battery, power plant were made into the notice of management. The segments like Transmission, EB, BSS & FTTH, Core n/w, Sales and Marketing, External need to be given priority and ensure effective utilization of employees. The Geographical area of BAs (like EKM-IDK, KOZ -WYD, KNR-KSD & TCR, MLP, PGT) need to be taken care while staff rationalization with existing executive strength is initiated. The guidelines in corporate office letter dated 27/12/2019 can be used as a reference in the post VRS scenario. The need of HR & TR centralization and implementation of E-office with reduction in multiplicity of report seeking, which automatically increase productive man hours also mentioned. The presentation included each BAs working lines count, revenue percentile, cluster count, mobile sub divisions & present executive deployment. We suggested for a practical approach in re-deployment with the present staff strength in each BAs without much disturbances. We suggested that more DGMs/AGMs/CAOs/AOs/SDEs are required and the same may be ensured through look after arrangements till regular promotions are made. Since LA options were called prior to VRS, we requested that fresh options may be called from executives for look after arrangements.

CGMT appreciated the efforts from association and the points raised are well taken. With regard to infra maintenance it was informed that management will try to go for managed service model for infra maintenance. He also mentioned the matter that the redeployment outline from management is almost in line with the proposal made by AIGETOA.The need of cluster wise ownership of BSNL business is given a stress by CGMT where the cluster in charge, BBC and account personal in charge are expected to deliver by working together.

Shortage of manpower & Redeployment

With regard to these agenda points, we mentioned that we have a transfer policy in place but the need of the hour is, ensuring its transparent implementation for Inter BA & Intra BA transfers. The guidelines to calculate stay particulars are clear and lists may be published based on the same BA wise for each cadre at the earliest. We also requested that the request transfers of all executives who have completed / nearing completion may be considered and after the same options may be called from executives for acute shortage identified BAs. We also submitted that the long stay Transfers (if any) may be effected with minimum displacement towards the acute shortage BAs by considering Covid-19 situation and other constraints.

CGMT informed that the proposals and concerns raised by AIGETOA will be definitely considered and as far as possible all the suggestion will be taken care. The stay particulars will be published BA wise for each cadre of executives. The matter will be discussed again with AIGETOA on formal agenda meeting scheduled on 28-09-2020.

We have also suggested the strengthening core sections with sufficient executives and non executives along with clear work profile and functional mappings. The need of a tender for undertaking outsourcing works at transmission, continuation of up keeping contract and call centre support were also brought into the notice of management.

Innovative ideas to improve our business & Revenue and Revenue collection

We pointed that the executives can perform their best and at the same time, they expect management to be open in their approach to facilitate the work and support them proactively.

The various points were discussed in detail like - FTTH being the future of CFA segment, the requirement for due consideration to FTTH segment. The LCOs payment Issues and shortcomings in B pay/E pay/Wallet, encouragement of ELCOs, CRM / clarity issues, need of Promotional Plans in FTTH, Pole network build up, stringent SLA parameters in FTTH segment etc. We proposed the need of Mobile numbering level availability for SIP PRI platform since many e-commerce merchants are using the same, where we have a business potential and our IMS core is capable for the same.

We have also coined an idea of an exclusive social media marketing team with self volunteering people from BAs and its expected line of works and further improvement. The suggestion for Total Telecom Solution with System Integrators, CM Franchisees as Marketing partners and Single Window concept also discussed. For increasing the revenue and collection status, we proposed to strengthen OSP team and suggested prepaid facility incorporation in other segments too. The changes in EB billing process into deposit + arrear billing instead present method and need of promotional plans in EB segment were also suggested. Effective utilisation of BSNL’s own space and need for reduction in rented space were also suggested.

Management actively involved in discussion on each point mentioned and took the feedback and CGMT assured that initiatives will be taken accordingly.

Finally on the last agenda point i.e. the Cluster-wise maintenance activity for Landline/Broadband - Suggestions for Improvement, there was detailed discussion with regard to the issues faced by external cluster in-charges with regard to outsourcing and related matters. Each minute point came under discussion and the suggestions were also made.

CGMT informed that all possible measures are to be taken to go along with the contractor and if the situation demands then the cluster in-charge need to be more stringent and actions may be initiated to protect the BSNL’s interest. CGMT has unequivocally told that cluster in-charges are empowered with power and responsibility in assessing and recommending present contractor for further continuation of his work and the non performing contractors can be terminated by finding the alternate option with necessary approval.

The presentation from AIGETOA lasted for almost 1&½ Hrs and was well appreciated from management side. The approach from management side was positive and we hope that going further, we will be able to workout the best possible practical solution within the constraints that we confront with. Together we will make it better for our organization and ourselves.

Our motto – “A Vibrant and Inclusive BSNL 2.0”