NEWS - FEBRUARY 2016
29.02.2016:
Budget provides no relief to salaried class:
* IT slabs remain unchanged.* Ceiling of tax rebate for taxpayers with up to Rs 5 lakh annual income to be raised to Rs 5000 from Rs 2000.
* Rent deduction limit raised from Rs 24000 to 60000 under Section 80GG.
* First-time home buyers to get an additional deduction on interest of Rs 50000 if the value of house does not exceed Rs 50 lakhs.
* Withdrawal of up to 40% under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) made tax free.
* Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) withdrawals to be taxed at maturity. Only 40% of the total corpus created out of contributions made after April 1, 2016 to be tax free, says the budget. It was fully exempt from tax earlier.
* Surcharge on income tax for those with incomes exceeding Rs 1 crore per annum raised from 12% to 15%.
* Tax on 10% of dividends, if the dividend is greater than Rs 10 lakh per annum.
29.02.2016:
Provisional seniority list in the grade of JTO (E):
BSNL CO has circulated the provisional seniority list in the grade of JTO (Electrical) and has invited representations regarding discrepancies if any by 15.3.2016. View list26.02.2016:
Meeting with Sr. General Manager (Pers):
GS met Sr.GM (Pers) today and discussed the following issues:1.Promotion to DGM grade:
Sr.GM (Pers) informed us that legal opinion has been called for from legal cell as well as BSNL advocates and promotion to DGM grade on adhoc basis will be ordered after receipt of legal opinion. He also conveyed his intention to fill up all vacancies in DGM grade upto 31st March 2016. We then requested him that out of 172 Executives promoted as DGM on adhoc basis in July 2012, fifty percent have retired and the remaining have completed three years service. We requested him to promote them on regular basis to the extent of vacancies. Sr. GM (Pers) agreed to consider our request positively. We also requested him to hold a CPC to promote those who were not found fit last time due to not meeting benchmark in APARs but have subsequently got the gradings in their APARs upgraded. Sr.GM (Pers) asked us to provide specific cases so that he can consider them.2.Promotion to DE/AGM grade:
Sr.GM (Pers) said that BSNL is waiting for the outcome of the case in Haryana High Court and hoped that promotion orders can be issued by March end if outcome of the case is positive.3. Promotion to SDE grade:
Sr.GM (Pers) informed us that appropriate response by BSNL has been filed in the Kerala High Court and all efforts are being made to get the stay vacated.4. CPSU cadre hierarchy:
We reminded Sr.GM (Pers) that in the last meeting he had told us that Personnel section may submit its draft proposal by 23.2.16 and copy of the same will be supplied to the associations for their comments. Sr.GM (Pers) said that the draft proposal is ready and the proposals will be discussed with the associations before submitting to Management Committee, BSNL Board and then to the DoT.5.Inter-circle request transfers in DE/AGM grade:
We reiterated our request that those who had completed two years as on 1st October 2015 and have been waiting for their transfer orders have been aggrieved that their transfer orders have not been issued in January 2016 according to the new guidelines for transfers. Sr.GM (Pers) assured us that such cases are being considered and orders will be issued shortly.26.02.2016:
CHQ writes to Sr.GM (Pers) on DGM regular promotion:
'All the remaining, around 90 DGMs, have completed more than three years of service in the grade. Sufficient number of vacancies are also available to promote these remaining DGMs (T) on regular basis.' Read More26.02.2016:
Regular promotion to DE/AGM grade:
BSNL CO has issued orders of regular promotion to DE/AGM grade in respect of one executive, w.e.f. 20.8.2014. View orders25.02.2016:
PMO forwards our letter to DPE for appropriate action:
PMO has forwarded CHQ letter dated 8.2.2016 on "CONSTITUTION OF THIRD PAY REVISION COMMITTEE FOR EXECUTIVES OF CENTRAL PUBLIC SECTOR ENTERPRISES - ELUSIVE RESPONSE BY DPE" [View CHQ letter] to DPE for appropriate action. PMO has directed DPE to send a reply to us and upload it on its portal. View PMO letter25.02.2016:
PMO forwards our letter to DoT for appropriate action:
PMO has forwarded CHQ letter dated 8.2.2016 on REVISION OF BASIC PENSION WITH FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% DA [View CHQ letter] to DoT for appropriate action. PMO has directed DoT to send a reply to us and upload it on its portal. View PMO letter25.02.2016:
Transfer of staff of ILD Gateways from Territorial circle to NC NGN circle after conversion of TDM ILD Gateways into NGN TMG:
BSNL CO has issued orders that all the staff/ executives presently working on these sites will be treated to be transferred from Territorial Circles to CGM, NC NGN with immediate effect. View orders25.02.2016:
Tenure transfer in DE/AGM grade:
BSNL CO has issued orders of tenure transfers in DE/AGM grade. View orders24.02.2016:
CHQ writes to Sr. GM (Pers) on Inter-circle transfers in DE/AGM grade:
'The previous practice of issuing transfer orders as and when requests are received was therefore helpful since the Executives were able to get relieved atleast a few months after their completing two years/tenure. According the new guidelines, transfer orders are to be issued every quarter in the first week of July/October/January/April. But non-adhering to its own guidelines by the Personnel Section, has put the [around hundred] Executives eagerly awaiting their transfer in utmost mental stress.' Read More23.02.2016:
compendium of DPE guidelines :
DPE has released a new compendium of its guidelines for administrative Ministries/Departments and Central Public Sector Enterprises. Previous compendium was issued in the year 2006. The latest Compendium in all comprises of total 320 guidelines in respect of General Management, Policy Planning, Management Policy, Wage Policy, Memorandum of Understanding, Corporate Social Responsibility, Permanent Machinery of Arbitration, Voluntary Retirement Scheme and Counselling, Retraining & Redeployment Scheme. This compendium has been made available in the right column of this page permanently under the heading 'DPE Compendium'. View Compendium23.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in AO grade - cancellation of Modification:
BSNL CO has issued corrigendum to the orders issued yesterday, cancelling the modification in respect of one AO. View corrigendum22.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in AO grade - Retention/Modification:
BSNL CO has issued orders of reallotment/retention/cancellation. View orders22.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in CAO grade:
BSNL CO has issued transfer and posting order in CAO grade. View orders22.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in DE/AGM grade - Cancellation and modification:
BSNL CO has issued three orders, cancelling/modifying the transfer and posting orders in DE/AGM grade. View orders19.02.2016:
Review of tenure period and related facilities in respect of Udhampur and Rajauri SSA of Jammu & Kashmir:
AIBSNLOA has been pursuing the issue for the past few months with a letter to CMD on 17th August 2015 [View CHQ letter] and subsequent discussions with Director (HR) and Sr.GM (Pers). Finally orders have been issued accepting our request. View orders19.02.2016:
Calling of option from executives for posting in Bihar Telecom circle with tenure facilities equivalent to NE Regions:
BSNL CO has called for option from Executives of various grades for serving in Bihar Telecom Circle for two years with facilities equivalent to tenure in NE Regions. View letter19.02.2016:
Transfer and postings in AO grade:
BSNL CO has issued orders of transfer and postings in AO/Sr.AO grade. View orders18.02.2016:
Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Fulfillment of procedural requirements:
'To remove these bottlenecks, it has been decided to simplify the procedure of application and make the procedure of processing of LTC claims time bound.' Read More18.02.2016:
Promotion from EE (Electrical) to SE (Electrical) - furnishing of apar:
BSNL CO has requested furnishing of APAR for missing periods in respect of 26 EEs (Electrical) for considering for promotion to SE (E) grade. View letter17.02.2016:
Supreme Court directions on the recommendations of the expert committee appointed by it:
Supreme Court today delinked the '147 case' while broadly accepting the recommendations of the Expert Committee appointed by it. However it has given three weeks time for submission of objections, if any, from anyone.17.02.2016:
Examination and Recruitment Calendar for 2016-17 in BSNL:
Our Association had been demanding for a long time that BSNL prepare a Calendar for Examinations and strictly adhere to it so as to avoid seniority issues in the future. BSNL CO has now circulated a Calendar for Examination and Recruitment for the year 2016-17. View letter17.02.2016:
Tenure transfers in SDE (T) grade:
BSNL CO has issued orders of tenure transfer in SDE (T) grade. View orders16.02.2016:
Supreme Court directions on the recommendations of the expert committee appointed by it:
Supreme Court hearing today has been postponed to tomorrow morning when it is expected to give its directions on the recommendations of the Expert Committee appointed by it.16.02.2016:
DoT permits sharing of active telecom infrastructure; may lead to faster roll outs:
'The Department of Telecom has amended the Unified Licence to allow active infrastructure sharing.' Read More16.02.2016:
Introduction of Voice STV 201 as Promotional offer under prepaid mobile services:
BSNL CO has introduced Voice STV 201 which gives 24000 seconds Local/STD call any network, with validity of 28 days. View offer16.02.2016:
TTA Recruitment Rules 2014 - Guidelines thereof:
BSNL CO has issued guidelines consequent to declaration of TTA as circle cadre w.e.f.25.8.2014. View guidelines16.02.2016:
Transfer and Posting in the grade of STS (CAO) of Telecom Finance:
BSNL CO has issued orders of transfer and Posting in the grade of STS (CAO) of Telecom Finance. View orders15.02.2016:
Bharti Airtel, Reliance, oppose Trai directive to ensure minimum net speed at 512 kbps:
' Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications and Sistema Shyam Teleservices have objected to the telecom regulator's recent directive that fixed broadband operators ensure a minimum 512 kbps download speed at all times. In its submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), India's largest carrier Bharti Airtel said that a service provider should be free to throttle speeds to 64 kbps once a customer has used up the assigned data limit. "It cannot be the prerogative of the customer to keep accessing data at the defined broadband speed even beyond the assigned quota," Bharti Airtel said.' Read More15.02.2016:
Budget 2016 - Telecom Ministry seeks 10-year tax holiday for Make in India drive:
'The telecom ministry has proposed a 10-year tax holiday for mega projects in the sector as part of its recommendations for the upcoming Union Budget that are aimed at attracting fresh investments for the Make in India programme. The ministry also suggested excise duty exemption for a range of electronic equipment, which would help lead to the creation of a much-needed manufacturing ecosystem in the country.' Read More12.02.2016:
LDCE for promotion to JTO (T) in BSNL - Kept on hold:
BSNL CO has kept on hold the LDCE for promotion to JTO (T) in BSNL in view of a court case filed in CAT Jodhpur Bench. View orders12.02.2016:
Direct relieving of Finance Personnel from BSNL Corporate Office:
BSNL CO has relieved five Finance Executives through ERP directly from BSNL Corporate Office. View letter11.02.2016:
Appointment of JAO on probation under Direct Recruit Quota:
BSNL CO has issued orders appointing 33 JAOs on probation under DR quota consequent to their successful completing 11 weeks pre-appointment training. View orders11.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in SDE (T) grade - retention:
BSNL CO has retained one SDE (T) on transfer in his parent circle temporarily. View orders09.02.2016:
Meeting with DDG (Estt) in DOT:
GS along with AGS (HQ) and OS (North) met DDG (Estt) in DoT today and expressed concern over the inordinate delay in submission of cabinet note for revision of basic pension with fitment benefit of merger of 50% DA effectively amounting to 78.2% IDA. DDG (Estt) informed us that the final cabinet note is with the new Secretary DoT. If required a meeting will be held to apprise the new Secretary DoT of the history of the issue. Once Secretary DoT clears the file, the note will be submitted to Minister of Communications & IT and then to the Cabinet. All the points raised by the various Ministries have been addressed in the cabinet note. He also informed us that the cabinet note also addresses the issue of 'the arrangement' made between DoT and BSNL as required under Sub Rule 22 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. However, he did not specify the details of the new 'arrangement' proposed.09.02.2016:
Compassionate Ground appointments:
BSNL has since decided to directly offer compassionate ground appointment as per educational qualification without considering the weightage points. View letter09.02.2016:
Furnishing of APAR/ACR of JTO (T) for consideraton for promotion to SDE (T) grade under 67% seniority quota:
BSNL CO has circulated a list of 125 JTOs in respect of whom the APAR/ACR are yet to be received. View letter08.02.2016:
CHQ writes to Prime Minister regarding Elusive response by DPE to PMO reference of our letter on Constitution of Third Pay Revision Committee for Executives of Central Public Sector Enterprises:
'We are very much concerned about the reply of the DPE in respect of an issue referred to by PMO, since it is very elusive and does not precisely state when the committee will be constituted although it had said more than a year back that “the process of constituting 3rd Pay Revision Committee has been initiated.”' Read More08.02.2016:
CHQ writes to Prime Minister regarding REVISION OF BASIC PENSION WITH FITMENT BENEFIT OF MERGER OF 50% DA EFFECTIVELY AMOUNTING TO 78.2% DA – ABNORMAL DELAY IN SUBMISSION OF CABINET NOTE BY DOT:
'Since then, during the past 15 months, DoT has been dilly dallying with the issue and as a result the final Cabinet Note on the issue is yet to be submitted for the approval of the Union Cabinet. A bulk of BSNL pensioners who retired between 1.1.2007 and 9.6.2013 feel being ditched by the DoT which they had served for so many years.' Read More08.02.2016:
Grant of facilities to sports persons:
BSNL CO has issued orders rationalising the pracrice facility allowed to players. View letter08.02.2016:
Promotion to DGM (T) grade - requirement of APARs:
BSNL CO has once again requested all Circles to forward the required APARs on or before 10.2.2016. View letter08.02.2016:
Inter-circle transfers in SDE (T) grade:
BSNL CO has issued two orders of inter-circle transfers/cancellation of transfers in SDE (T) grade. View orders05.02.2016:
Meeting with Sr.GM (Pers):
GS and OS(N) met Sr.GM (Pers) today. Sr.GM (Pers) informed us that Management has decided to promote 223 AGMs/DEs as DGMs (T). DPC for this promotion was held in the year 2014 itself but due to various court cases promotion orders were not issued. DPC for 480 AGMs/DEs was held in 2014 but now only 223 AGMs/DEs will get the promotion because other officers have retired in the intervening period. Sr.GM (Pers) also informed us that within 15 days another DPC for giving promotion to 480 AGMs/DEs as DGMs (T), will be held.We also discussed with Sr.GM (Pers) about submission of report by Personnel section in respect of cadre hierarchy since in the last meeting with Director (HR), it was informed by Director(HR) that report submitted by the three member committee will be reviewed by the Sr.GM (Pers) and report will be submitted by 26.01.2016. Sr.GM (Pers) informed us that new proposals have been submitted to Director (HR) pointing out that for implementing cadre hierarchy 13 points related to RR, EPP etc. required to be changed and after getting comments from Director (HR) further action will be taken by the Personnel section. Sr.GM (Pers) further informed us that Personnel section may submit its draft proposal by 23.2.16 and copy of the same will be supplied to the associations for their comments. After that report will be submitted to MC, Board and than DoT for their approval.
We also discussed with Sr.GM (Pers) about non-issue of order for exempting physically handicapped executives from appearing in financial upgradation on-line examination. We recalled the discussion with Director (HR) where Director (HR) had told Sr.GM (Pers) to submit the proposal for exemption from appearing in financial upgradation on-line examination forthose executives who have more than 40% disability. Sr.GM (Pers) assured us that he will discuss with Direcor (HR), BSNL and submit the proposal soon.
we drew the attention of Sr.GM (Pers) to the clarification issued by BW section on a letter issued by Personnel section where it was clarified that executives who are having diploma and 10 years of experience will be held equivalent to having a Degree. BW section of BSNL has issued a letter that clarification issued by Personnel section is limited to giving post based promotion under BSNL MS RR and it is not applicable to ACP promotion. We raised our objection on the letter of BW because clarification on the letter issued by Personnel section should be issued only by Personnel section and that BW section cannot issue any clarification without taking consent of Personnel section. It was agreed that a clarification will be issued by the Personnel section.
Non-issuing of transfer orders for this quarter was also discussed with Sr.GM (Pers), and we were informed by the Sr.GM (Pers) that some circles had raised issue of transfer order in each quarter with the Director (HR) and Director(HR) had directed not to issue transfer orders in this quarter. We drew attention of Sr.GM (Pers) to the request submitted by us wherein executives had completed 2 years in other circles in the first week of October but their requests were not considered then but assurance was given to us that in next quarter their names will definitely be considered. But now again their names are not being considered because BSNL management does not want to issue transfer order in this quarter. On our persuasion Sr. GM (Pers) asked us to submit requests of our members and assured us that such cases be considered.
05.02.2016:
Meeting with GM (Estt) and DGM (Estt):
GS along with OS(N), ACS BSNL CO Circle and CWC Member BSNL CO circle met GM (Estt) today and discussed about superannuation benefit to BSNL recruited employees and payment of arrears on refixation of pay on promotion on the letter recently issued by Establishment section. DGM (Estt) was also present. GM (Estt) informed us that the file related to superannuation benefit to BSNL recruited employees has already been submitted to EF section but EF section is yet to clear the file. As soon as comments from EF is received proposal will be submitted to Remuneration committee for their examination. In respect of payment of arrears she assured us that the proposal given by the association for payment of arrears will be examined.05.02.2016:
CHQ writes to General Manager (Estt) on Fixation of pay on promotion of BSNL Executives - clarification issued by BSNL:
'We would like to point out that the letter cited above under reference is only clarificatory in nature and clarification cannot have prospective effect.' Read More05.02.2016:
Tenure transfers in SDE (T) grade - Cancellations and Retentions:
BSNL CO has issued orders cancelling the tenure transfer orders to some SDEs (T) and retaining a few others temporarily in their present circles. View orders04.02.2016:
condolence:
Com.Seshagirirao, veteran TU Leader in the Telecom Sector, has passed away on 1st February 2016 after a brief period of illness. We mourn his death and express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.04.02.2016:
CHQ writes to Sr. GM (Peres) on Educational qualification for promotion to the grade of gE {civil/Electrical) - Degree in Engineering and equivalence:
'We therefore request you to kindly advice the BW Section to dispose of the representations requesting second ACP also on the same analogr for promotion to EE grade as per BSNL MS RR 2009 so that the diploma holders with 10 years of experience get their second ACP without any further delay.' Read More04.02.2016:
CHQ writes to Director (HR) on EXEMPTION FROM APPEARING IN MANDATORY EXAMINATION ON FINANCIAL UPGRADATION IN RESPECT OF ALL PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED EXECUTVES :
'During our scheduled meeting on 15.12.2015, we had raised the above issue and had requested that orders may be issued empowering the Director (HR) to grant exemption to physically challenged executives from appearing in the mandatory examination. You had observed that exemption may be considered in case of those who are having disability of 4O%o and above and directed Sr. General Manager (Pers) to talk to the Circle Head in respect of a specific case referred to by us for recommending the case for exemption.' Read More04.02.2016:
Holding of LICE for promotion to JTO (T) grade:
BSNL CO has circulated the model notification for holding of LICE for promotion to JTO (T) grade. View letter04.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in SDE (TF) grade:
BSNL CO has issued orders retaining retaining two SDEs (TF) upto 31.3.2017. View orders03.02.2016:
Cosolidation of SSAs into Business Areas - transfer liability of SSA cadres:
BSNL CO has clarified that transfer liability of SSA cadre staff will remain within the jurisdiction of unmerged SSA. View letter03.02.2016:
Transfers and cancellation of transfers in SDE (T) grade:
BSNL CO has issued three orders of transfer/cancellation of transfers in SDE (T) grade. View orders02.02.2016:
Inviting comments from Circles on Guidelines on Outsourcing of Underground cable Maintenance work:
BSNL CO has proposed guidelines on outsourcing of Underground cable Maintenance work and has called for comments from circles. View letter02.02.2016:
Periodic review for ensuring probity and efficay among employees of CPSE - constitution of internal committee:
BSNL CO has constituted internal Review Committees for Corporate office employees and for DGMs and above in all circles. View letter02.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in DE/AGM grade - retention and modification:
BSNL CO has issued orders retaining/modifying the circle of posting in respect of some DEs/AGMs. View orders01.02.2016:
New Secretary DoT takes charge:
JS Deepak today took charge as the Telecom Secretary, following last week's top-level bureaucratic reshuffle. Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said Deepak was his choice for the Telecom Secretary as Garg had sought transfer to other ministry. (ET)01.02.2016:
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2O13 - Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by the public servants for each year:
It is further clarified that filing of these forms/returns in the manner prescribed by the rules under Lokpal Act is a mandatory requirement and they are in addition to and not in supersession of the forms under BSNL CDA Rules on assets and liability. Read More01.02.2016:
Transfer and posting in DE/AGM grade:
BSNO CO has issued orders of transfer and posting in DE/AGM grade. View orders
