No: SNEA(I)/CHQ/CMD/2012-14/28 Dated
18.10.2013.
To
Shri R. K. Upadhyay,
CMD, BSNL,
Sub:- Non finalization of standard pay
scales E2, E3 etc of basic cadres JTO/JAO, SDE/AO etc for the last 6 years
demoralizing thousands of talented and young JTOs/JAOs recruited after 01.01.2007---Major
obstacle towards resolution of the issue, ie. pension contribution on actual
basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale stands resolved --- immediate kind
intervention solicited to resolve the issue to restore the dignity and sagging morale
of thousands of Executives:
Respected Sir,
Finalization of standard pay scales of E2, E3, E4 etc for JTO/JAO,
SDE/AO etc has been persistently raised by this Association. At the time of
implementation of 2nd PRC report by BSNL, Management proposed E1A, E2A, E3, E4,
E5, E6 pay scales for the Executives. The intermediate pay scale of E1A and E2A
proposed for JTO/JAO and SDE/AO cadres were rejected repeatedly by DoT since
DPE reiterated time and again that all CPSUs should introduce standard IDA pay
scales recommended by 2nd PRC and approved by the Govt/DPE, and
wherever non standard pay scales are existing, action should be taken to switch
over to standard IDA pay scales. CPSUs like BHEL, NTPC,
ONGC etc switched over from intermediate pay scales to standard IDA pay scales
as per DPE order. Despite
clear instructions from DPE to CPSUs to stick to standard scales, BSNL, time
and again, proposed non standard scales of E1A/E2A for JTO/SDE to DoT for its
approval.
JTO/JAO, SDE/AO cadres in general and JTO/JAOs in particular recruited
after 01.01.2007 are the worst sufferers of this anomalous situation. Their pay
scales are not finalised even after six and half years. Similarly the pay scale
of their promotional post, SDE/AO is also not finalised so far. Since the pay scales of the basic cadre JTO/JAO and the promotional
post SDE/AO are “provisional”, the time bound promotions from JTO/JAO grade to
SDE/AO grade and subsequent upgradations also became “provisional” as it vary with
the finalization of the pay scales. The JTOs of 2007 and 2008 batch were recruited in the pre revised pay
scale of E1A (9850-250-14600). The notification for the
JTO recruitment also envisages that the “pay scale will be revised shortly
and it is likely to be revised upwards". Based on this assurance, they decided to get
recruited in BSNL years back.
However, these
brilliant and young Executives, full of potential and talent, were shocked and
demoralized at their very entry in the Company by downgrading their pay scales from
E1A to E1, provisionally, incredibly resulting in a pay loss of Rs 4000 to Rs
5000 per month. Similarly, pay scale of SDE/AO also was downgraded from E2A to
E2 provisionally. This decision of BSNL tantamount to demotion of key and basic
cadres of JTO/SDE which are to play a pivotal role in revival and future growth
of the Company. Human Resource managers in BSNL made a serious judgmental error
by astonishingly ignoring incredible and huge potential of these brilliant
people and shockingly instead decided to demoralize them at the very start of
their career in the Company.
In order to address the issue of pay loss of the newly recruited JTOs
of 2007 and 2008 batches, a committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of
Sri K C G K Pillai, the PGM(FP/PF). This Association strongly demanded the
implementation of standard pay scale of E2, E3, E4 etc as directed by the
Govt/DPE in order to address the issue in its totality. However, the committee
informed us that this proposal may not have much financial implication for the
JTO/JAOs recruited after 01.01.2007 but shall have huge financial implications
in terms of its cascading effect in so far as pension contribution on the maximum
of the pay scale is concerned. In case the pension contribution issue is
resolved and the Govt. decides BSNL has to pay pension contribution on the
actual basic pay instead of the maximum of the pay scale, then the Management would
be in a position to consider implementation of standard IDA pay scales from E2,
E3------- to E7 for JTO, SDE, --- to SGJAG. At that time, likely expenditure to
be incurred on implementation of standard IDA pay scales worked out to be about
20 to 25 Crores per annum, minus pension contribution.
Thereafter, this Assn and the Management also continuously pursued the
issue of pension contribution on actual basic with the DOT with all the
justifications. Recently we have been informed that finally Dept of
Expenditure/ Ministry of Finance has agreed to the proposal of the BSNL
Management and this Association that BSNL pension contribution would be on
actual basic pay, instead of the maximum of the pay scales. By this decision of the Govt., the major impediment faced by the
management to implement the standard pay scales of E2, E3, E4 etc is conclusively
over and the issue can be addressed now since financial implications would be
considerably narrowed down.
Considering the fact
that introduction of standard IDA pay scales beginning from E2 for JTOs and onwards will result in
huge motivation to thousands of Executives, and especially to the thousands of
JTO/JAOs recruited after 01.01.2007, and the positive impact that it will have on
the growth of the Company, the expenditure of few crores would be quite
worthwhile. It would herald
the beginning of a new era for young and potential Executives who are
demoralised at the very beginning of their career and will surely result in
increased productivity in the coming days. Further the implementation of
standard pay scales in BSNL is absolutely imperative, considering that
recommendations of 3rd PRC likely to be constituted by the Govt. shortly are to
take effect from 01.01.2017 for CPSUs. BSNL cannot by
any stretch of imagination approach the 3rd PRC in an anomalous situation where
it is not having standard IDA pay scale at the entry level itself.
As the Chief Executive
of this mighty organization, you may appreciate the concern raised by the Assn
due to the non finalization of the standard pay scales of the basic/entry cadre
in BSNL for the last 6 1/2 years which has resulted in large scale demoralization
and resentment among the Executives. Now since the major hurdle for the
implementation of standard pay scales, ie pension contribution on actual basic
pay instead of maximum of the pay scale, is resolved, there appears to be no justification
to delay the implementation of standard pay scales in BSNL. Your kind personal intervention
is immediately solicited for the resolution of this most important cadre issue in
BSNL which shall definitely and inevitably have a very positive impact on the
growth of the Company.
With regards,
(K. Sebastin)
Copy to:
1) Sri A. N. Rai, DIR(HR), BSNL for information and
n/a please.
2) Sri K. C. G. K. Pillai, DIR(Fin), BSNL for
information and n/a please.
3) Sri M C Choube, Chairman, Joint Committee for
information and n/a please.
4) Sri R. K. Goyal, GM(Estt) for information and
n/a please.
5) All Joint Committee members for information and
n/a please.
