28.02.2013:Light at the end of the tunnel for the Accounts Comrades who were JAOs/AAOs in 1996?:After a sustained struggle, in 2003, the audit and accounts employees under the banner of JAC of Audit & Accounts Employees Organisations could achieve parity in pay with Assistants in Central Secretariat maintaining vertical relativity. The parity was granted notionally with effect from 1.1.1996 and actually from 19.2.2003. Some members of All India Railway Accounts Staff Association (AIRASA) in Trivandrum (Shri Jose Sebastian and 4 others) challenged the decision of the Railway Board (ie Govt) to grant the higher pay scale from 19.2.12003 and demanded that higher pay (and subsequent arrears of pay) be paid from 1.1.1996, in the CAT, Ernakulam. CAT, Ernakulam, on 30.6.2006, quashed the order of Railway Board granting notional fixation from 1.1.1996 to 18.2.2003 and directed that the higher pay scale be paid in real terms with effect from 1.1.1996. The Railway board moved HC of Kerala against this directive of the CAT, Ernakulam. Finding no merit in the writ petition moved by the Railway Board, the HC of Kerala rejected the appeal (27.3.2012). Railway Board planned to move the SC. The petitioners (only three are still in service, other two have since retired), ie AIRASA filed caveat in the SC so that the SLP by the Railway Board is not admitted without hearing the original petitioners. The case finally came up for admission on 25th February 2013 and the SC rejected the SLP, rather the SLP moved by the Railway Board was not admitted – ie the CAT directive to pay arrears of pay from 1.1.1996 is upheld. [courtesy - AIAAA]

28.02.2013:SECOND CIRCLE CONFERENCE OF AIBSNLOA CHENNAI TELEPHONES - A BRIEF REPORT:The Second Circle conference of All India BSNL Officers’ Association (AIBSNLOA) Chennai Telephones was held on 22nd & 23rd February 2013. On 22nd February 2013, a grand Open session was held. The Function started with an invocation song by Com.S.Peraisamy DS-Kod Branch followed by traditional lighting of lamp by Sri.E.Babu Guest of Honour and Secretary GOJAN group of Institutions and Technologies, CGM Chennai Telephones Sri.A.Balasubramanian, CHQ President Com.K.Balasubramanian, Chief Patron of AIBSNLOA, Com.S.BASU and the Circle Secretary Com.P.UdayaSuriyan. Com.L.Sundara Raman Circle President delivered the Presidential address and Com.P.Udaya Suriyan Circle Secretary Chennai Telephones delivered key note address. General Secretary Com.Rakesh Sethi who could not attend the function due to personal bereavement had sent a message greeting the conference and emphasising the strength the CHQ got from AIBSNLOA-ChTD. Sri.E.Babu Secretary Gojan Group of Educational Institutions, Redhills,Chennai, Sr.GM (Finanace) Sri.K.K.VEL, CGM Chennai Telephones Sri.A.Balasubramanian, GM (HR&ADMN), and Chief Engineer Civil Sri.S.Pattabiraman addressed the Open Session. Com.S.Basu in his special address stressed the need for cautious approach to be adopted both by the management and Staff in dealing with the present condition of BSNL that was once recommended for MAHARATNA Status. Com.C.K.Mathivanan AGS NFTE, Com.R.Gunasekaran, CS, BSNLDEU, Com.K.Rajasekar CS TN Circle AIBSNLOA felicitated the Conference. Com.S.Jaikumar CS NTEA, Chennai Telephones was present. The open session ended with vote of thanks from Com.V.Gurumurthy Circle Finance Secretary. The entire event was nicely compered by Com.B.Ganesan DGM (HR&Admn) and Ex-President of AIBSNLOA-ChTD.

The Delegate Session began on the second day (23/02/13) of the conference with President Com.L.Sundararaman welcoming the Delegates. The delegate session witnessed useful deliberation on many issues. Two senior Comrades.L.Sundararaman & R.Vaidayanathan,ACS who are retiring on superannuation this month were felicitated and honoured. After lunch a seminar was held in which Sri.V.Senthil Vasan GM (Sales&Marketing) CFA &CM spoke on “BSNL- the Strengh, Weakness and Challenges Ahead”. New office-bearers were elected unanimously, with Com.B.Ganesean as President, Com.P.Udayasuriyan as Circle Secretary and Com.V.Gurumoorthy as Finance Secretary. The two day conference concluded with vote of thanks from Com.J.Badrinarayanan.

28.02.2013:Budget 2013 - No review of tax slabs:No review of income tax slabs this year; Budget proposed tax credit of Rs.2000 for income upto 5 lakhs. Read More....

27.02.2013:Tenure transfers in SDE (T) grade:BSNL has issued transfer orders for SDEs (T) who have completed their tenure and for substitutes thereof. View orders....

27.02.2013:Reservation of persons with disabilities:BSNL has circulated DoPT letter dated 14.12.2012 reiterating its earlier instructions on carrying forward unfilled reserved vacancies, inter-change among the three categories of disability and lapsing of unfilled reserved vacancies. View orders....

25.02.2013:Clarifications regarding revision of FMC and charges of unlimited broadband plans:BSNL has issued clarification that the proposed revisions do not apply to the existing customers under one year/two years/three years plan till expiry of the said plan period. View orders....

25.02.2013:Date of joining of STS (Telecom) on regular basis:BSNL has circulated the list of STS (Telecom) whose date of joining on regular basis has not yet been received by the Corporate Office. View list....

22.02.2013:Revision of PPO of pre-2006 pensioners/family pensioners - Model advertisement to be used by Ministries/Departments:DPE has further streamlined the process allowing revision of PPOs even in those cases where the date of birth/age of the spouse is not given in the PPO. View O.M....

21.02.2013:Utilisation of mileage points/other incentives earned by employees of CPSEs on tickets purchased for official travel:DPE issues an O.M. directing that mileage points or other incentives earned by CPSE employees on tickets purchased for official travel should be used only for other official travel and not for personal trips. View O.M....

21.02.2013:Payment of statutory dues, salary and wages in sick/loss making CPSEs under the Department of Heavy Industry:'Payment of outstanding dues of salary and wages would mitigate the hardships of the employees thereby motivating them for better output and would prepare them to achieve the goal of revival/restructuring of the company. In addition clearance of outstanding statutory dues (Provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension, Employees State Insurance) would result in fulfilment of statutory obligations.' Read More...

19.02.2013:BSNL Management Trainees Recruitment Rules 2013:As scheduled, GS and AGS had a meeting with the committee yesterday evening and submitted our views and proposals on the matter in writing. Sr.GM (Pers) appreciated our points and said that the other associations have not given their views in writing and one more meeting will be called after they submit their views in writing. View CHQ letter...

19.02.2013:THANKS COMRADES:When AIBSNLOA called for the views/comments from all Executives on the proposed BSNL MT RR 2013, the mailbox of General Secretary was flooded with emails from a large number of Executives from the nook and corner of the country, irrespective of association affiliations and particularly from the young direct recruits. Based on the inputs we have been able to take a sensible and balanced stand on the various aspects of the proposed MTRR. AIBSNLOA CHQ conveys its sincere thanks to all the executives who have shown faith on AIBSNLOA and have conveyed their views and comments. THANK YOU COMRADES.

19.02.2013:Mandatory training under Executive Promotion Policy:Officers of age of 55 years and above have now the option of undergoing one week refresher training as a part of the the mandatory EPP training under EPP followed by an online examination at the training centre. View orders...

18.02.2013:BSNL revises FMC of post-paid broadband plans:BSNL has revised the Fixed Monthly Charges of all Unlimited Post-paid Broadband plans w.e.f. 1.3.2013. View circular...

18.02.2013:Policy for allotment of staff quarters to retired employees:BSNl extended the policy for three month. This policy was issued on 30.12.2011 and initially applicable for one year. View orders...

18.02.2013:Preparatory work for promotion to SDE (E) on regular basis for the vacany year 2012-13:BSNL has called for ACR/APAR of eligible Electrical wing officers as part of preparatory work for promotion to SDE (E) on regular basis for the vacancy year 2012-13. View letter... View list...

16.02.2013:Delhi High Court dismisses BSNL application on ITS issue:Dismissing the BSNL application for allowing of non-optee ITS Group A officers on continued deputation in BSNL, the Hon'ble Delhi High Court is reported to have directed BSNL to relieve those who have opted to revert to Government service within six weeks.

14.02.2013:CHQ writes to Sr.GM (Pers) regarding amendments proposed to SDE (T) RR 2002:'It may be added under column 11 in proposed provision that, "Normally the DPC for promotion on the basis of seniority cum fitness as well as the LDCE shall be held atleast once in the calendar year."' Read More...

14.02.2013:Meeting with CMD:GS and AGS (HQ) met CMD today and discussed the following issues:
1. Release of DGM (T) Adhoc promotion list: We requested CMD to use his good offices for immediate release of the DGM (T) promotion list, which has been approved but has been not released. CMD said that the list could not be released due to court case. We informed him that there is no stay for issue of promotion orders by the court and that senior STS officers are retiring without getting their due promotion. CMD noted down the point in his diary and assured that he will have it examined.
2. Holding of DPC for promotion to DE (Adhoc) for all the vacancies available: CMD said that this issue has been again embroiled in a court case and said that the Management was helpless in such a situation of repeated court cases against promotions. We conveyed our hope that the stay in Chennai CAT would be vacated soon and in that occasion DPC process should be initiated for filling all the existing DE vacancies.
3. Diversion of STS posts from MT Quota: We requested him to approve diversion of vacancies from MT quota since there is no possibility of filling up the MT quota vacancies in the near future. CMD asked us to meet him a few days later to discuss the issue in detail.

14.02.2013:Meeting with GM (Trg):GS met GM (Trg) yesterday and again requested him to review the condition of mandatory examination on financial upgradation and postbased promotion. GM (Trg) said that the mandatory training was proposed to keep the officers abreast of changes in technology and to motivate them. GS informed that if the objective of the Management was that, definitely the examination has not achieved the goal. And just appearing in the examination is not equivalent to training. Therefore the Management should have a rethinking over the issue. GM (Trg) agreed that he will consider the issue further.

13.02.2013:Proposed revision of Management Trainee Recruitment Rules:BSNL has circulated the proposed revision of MT RR and has asked the Executive Associations to submit their views/comments before the Committee on 18.2.2013 during the scheduled time. AIBSNLOA has been asked to submit its views at 1630 Hrs. All Executives are requested to send their views by email to gsaibsnloa@gmail.com before 15th February 2013. View circular... View proposal...

11.02.2013:Amendment to the schedule of Disciplinary, Appellate and Reviewing authorities contained in BSNL CDA Rules 2006:BSNL has circulated amendments to the schedule of Disciplinary, Appellate and Reviewing Authoriies contained in BSNL CDA Rules, 2006, including officers holding of charge of CGM or GM as Disciplinary, Appellate and Reviewing Authorities. View amendments...

08.02.2013:Meeting with GM (Estt):1. Granting exemption for TTAs who have already qualified the screening test: GS met GM (Estt) yesterday and requested him to grant exemption to the TTAs who have already qualified the screening test from appearing in the JTO Competitive examination proposed to be held shortly. GM (Estt) informed us that due to contempt petitions filed in various courts like Ernakulam and Chandigarh, the Management is in a bind and could not consider our request. He rather advised all TTAs to appear in the JTO Competitive examination proposed to be held. We argued that most of the qualified TTAs have undergone the prescribed training and are officiating as JTOs for a very long period and asking them to appear in another examination after exploiting their services would be unfair. GM (Estt) expressed helplessness in this issue.
2. Submission of appropriate reply to DoT on the issue of approval for 78.2% fitment benefit: GM (Estt) informed us that the draft reply has been cleared by SR and CPNM sections and is being sent to CA section. Later it would be put up for consideration by the Management Committee before formally replying to DoT. He expressed the hope that after this reply, DoT will approve the earlier proposal of BSNL Board for granting 78.2% fitment benefit.
3. Creation of additional ADOL posts for Madhya Pradesh: We requested him to ensure that the committee's decision is finalised early. GM (Estt) said that we have to approach Sr.GM (Pers) on the issue. We pointed out that Addl.GM (Estt) is the Chairman of the Committee and that the proposal for creation of additional posts is pending with the committee only and requested GM (Estt) to pursue with the Chairman of the committee for early decision.

07.02.2013:CHQ writes to CMD regarding Non-grant of benefit of merger of 50% IDA with basic pay for fitment purpose in BSNL - DoT’s unfair observations :'Had the 78.2% fitment benefit been granted immediately after the DPE orders dated 2.4.2009 was issued while BSNL’s financial position was still comfortable, today’s predicament could have been avoided' Read More...

07.02.2013:New complaint number to get unwanted mobile VAS deactivated:'Telecom consumers can now register complaint about wrongful activation of value added services (VAS) like mobile Internet and caller tunes on a new common number, 155223, for all operators. Telecom operators will have to refund the amount charged for such activation of services if consumers inform about it within 24 hours on this common number.' Read More...

07.02.2013:Amendments proposed to SDE (T) RR:Members are requested to submit their views/comments to the GS email ID: gsaibsnloa@gmail.com BEFORE FRIDAY THE 8TH FEBRUARY 2013.

05.02.2013:CHQ writes to CMD requesting review of tower sharing concept and introduction of safeguards:'Another area of concern is leasing out those towers where BSNL is the sole operator due to the cost and labour required in erecting towers in difficult terrains and hilly areas. Leasing out such towers can never be a wise decision.' Read More...

04.02.2013:Revision of ceiling rates and guidelines for various coronary/vascular stents under CGHS:BSNL has endorsed the orders of Dept. of Health & Family Welfare OM revising the ceiling rates and guidelines for various coronary/vascular stents under CGHS, for settlding medical claims under BSNLMRS. View endorsement... View OM...

01.02.2013:Holding of CPC for promotion to DGM (F):BSNL SEA section has circulated the eligibility list of CAOs being considered for promotion to DGM (F) on adhoc basis and has called for their ACRs. View letter... View list...