30 May Articles
UPDATES ON MEETING WITH PS TO HON MOSC
Meeting with PS to Hon MoSC:
PS to Hon MOSC called the BSNL Management and Jt Forum for a combined meeting on the standard pay scales issue. DoT earlier rejected the BSNL proposal of E2 and E3 scales and approved E1 and E2 scales, demoting the basic cadres of JTO/JAO and SDE/AO equivalent. DoT had taken a stand that E1A and E2A scales were approved only for the absorbed Executives and not for new rects. For BSNL directly rect employees or those who got promotion after 01.10.2000, E1 and E2 scales are applicable.
Initially management had discussions with Shri Nitheswar Kumar, IAS and PS to MoSC and explained the issues in detail for about 20 minutes. DIR(HR), PGM(Estt) and DGM(Estt) participated in the discussion. BSNL explained to the PS that E1A and E2A pay scales were approved for all the Executives w.e.f 01.10.2000, irrespective of absorbed or promoted or new recruitment. On 2nd PRC implementation, BSNL proposed replacement scales for E1A and E2A, initially. This was rejected by DoT and DPE in 2011 and 2014. Subsequently BSNL proposed E1A to E2 and E2A to E3 pay scales with cascading effect. There is no proposal from BSNL for lowering the pay scales to E1 and E2. Earlier proposal of BSNL demanding cascading effect is withdrawn now and BSNL proposal is only E2 and E3 scales. While doing so, the basic features of EPP will be protected, BSNL told the PS. Lowering the pay scales will affect retention of existing talent and recruitment also. It created huge unrest in the company. The PO issued by DoT to be reconsidered, and BSNL proposal of E2 and E3 scales w/o cascading effect is to be approved, BSNL demanded.
After the presentation by BSNL, PS called JF for combined meeting along with management. JF told PS that about 42000 Executives working in JTO/JAO, SDE/AO equivalent cadres demoted by the lowering of pay scales to E1 and E2. About 15000 Executives recruited after 01.01.2007 facing a reduction in pay to the tune of Rs 10,000 per month. Our demand is to revise E1A and E2A scales with E2 and E3 scales respectively w.e.f 01.01.2007. There is no proposal of E1 and E2 scales from BSNL. The financial implications are bare minimum, just 44 Cr per annum. On financial implications, PS commented that it is a very small amount and it is not an issue at all.
The discussions were very positive and PS is very much convinced on the issue and assured positive action. He further directed BSNL management to explain the issue to the new Secretary also as Secretary is having a big role to play. Then take the JF also for the meeting with Secretary.