AGM CIT BSNL CO writes to all Circle Heads regarding extension of Laptop Reimbursement policy to all the Executives in the Field units. Copy<<<>>
With pursuation of SNEA, in June 2023, the laptop reimbursement policy available only to GM and above level officers, was first extended only to SDE and above Executive at BSNL CO as sample case. Copy<<<>>
It was always assured for its extension to field units but was not extended giving reason for not updating data of existing desktop PCs and laptops in the ESS/ERP and it is unfortunate that some Circles have still not updated this data and the condition of updating this data has been added in this order also.
The Policy approved for BSNL Corporate Office was not covering JTOs/JAOs and SNEA has taken stand and pursued continuously that JTOs/JAOs are the officers working at forefront and more Techno Savvy and they should be given topmost priority for efficient office working and it was always quoted that there is huge number of JTOs/JAOs and due to financial condition of BSNL, the same cannot be extended to JTOS/JAOs. But SNEA has not agreed for this partial extension of Laptop policy excluding JTOs/JAOs and we have insisted for extension of Laptop policy to all executives including JTOS/JAOs.
We are happy to see that all JTOs/JAOs who are backbone of the BSNL including those working at BSNL Corporate office are now eligible for reimbursement of the amount against purchase of Laptop.
Apart from exclusion of JTOs/JAOs, there were many other stringent terms/conditions including the cost of reimbursement of laptops and SNEA has taken up all such issues continuously pursued for its consideration. Letter-I <<<>> Letter -II <<<>>
On the basis of our persuation, one Committee of Circle Heads with CGMT MH as Chairman of the Committee was constituted to study the issues and finally the committee submitted its report last month. Then the proposal was put up to MC Management Committee) and now the same approved by the MC on 09/04/2024 but order delayed for fortnight due to administrative procedures thereof.
Though major suggestions given by SNEA are given consideration and included in the final policy, our suggestion for uniform cost of Laptop @ Rs. 70000 for all executives regardless of his designation is not accepted and the cost of reimbursement is kept as per the existing Policy only.
Many executives in the Corporate Office have purchased laptops in the range of Rs 60000 to 70000 and hence we have demanded for Rs 70000, but it was said that it is not full reimbursement, but it will be partial reimbursement and it can be reviewed at later stage on improvement of financial condition of BSNL.
But it is good that all executives including JTOs/JAOs regardless of the wing/vertical in which he/she is working are now eligible for this partial reimbursement on purchase of Laptop from Open Market as per his/her choice and office requirements.
Now one has to purchase a laptop and submit the reimbursement through ERP/ESS with GST compliant Original Purchase Bill/Invoice and get the cost reimbursed in next salary after submission of claim.
Though it’s not mentioned in this letter, but as per existing procedure of BSNL, reimbursement is to be done within 60 days of the Purchase of laptop and claims after 60 days are not accepted in ERP/ESS and all executives should be prompt enough to submit their claims in given time of 60 days.
It is important this amount is for a period of four years and after four years the executive concerned can make the next claim on purchase of laptop which means the executives are eligible for Reimbursement of laptop amount after every four years and it will be a continuous process for all serving Executives.
There are many executives in field units of BSNL who have a very old and life expired desktop PCs and some even do not have a desktop PCs and have to share it with other executives/ employees, and now all these executives are eligible and will get a brand new laptop with fixed amount reimbursement for four years.
Existing Desktop PCs does not include the Desktop PCS which are used for Operations of Systems and these laptops are being issued only routine individuals office works and not for operation of any official system in the office.
With these new laptops, highly qualified and experienced executives of BSNL will also be able to compete with executives from Private sector as certain officers are always making comparisons for the same.
It is mentioned in this letter that executives who are already allotted desktop PCs will not be eligible for new Laptop reimbursement but the same is available on surrender of existing Laptops/Desktop PCs. In such cases executives have the choice to purchase a laptop and then surrender the existing Desktop PCs/old laptop to the IT section of their BA/Circle and then submit the claim and the same will be surely approved.
Even if somebody is issued a desktop PC recently and the said executive is willing to purchase a laptop for an efficient and comfortable office working under this policy, he/she can go ahead with it as the same is being followed in the BSNL Corporate office. It has been also clearly mentioned at the concluding paragraph of this policy and hence there should not be any confusion as being created on what’sApp by some individuals/groups.
The same is case with applicability of laptop policy for executives in non-Telecom wing i.e. Account, Civil, Electrical/Arch/TF etc and it may be noted that this policy is applicable to executives in the BSNL in all wings and units.
Further, the individual Executives are at full liberty to purchase a laptop of any version, any technical combination/ specifications, any type/model and from any of the shop/company or online as he/she desires.
Depreciation cost is 25% every year and after four years, the laptop will be owned by the executive concerned and he will be eligible for purchase a new laptop again on completion of four years.
In existing policy at BSNL CO, it was mandatory for executives to retain the laptop on transfer/retirement and SNEA has taken up this issue and now it is optional to either take home laptop at depreciated cost or surrender it to BSNL. The depreciation cost will be 25% per year, and definitely it is as per the amount reimbursed by BSNL.
Similarly in GM and above policy purchase of Laptop or Notebook was allowed and the same was not allowed for Executives and now Executives in the BSNL including JTOs/JAOs have option to purchase laptop or notebook as per his/her choice.
The cost of software and AMC are part of this reimbursement and antivirus/endpoint security software will be provided by BSNL.
SNEA is pursuing certain schemes with discounted cost especially for BSNL executives for purchase of laptops and we are hopeful for some offers at least for a fixed period from chain shops/companies as it will be bulk purchase of laptops all over India.
There are certain issues, which we have raised and not given consideration in final policy and we will continue to pursue for the same and we are hopeful that these issues can be resolved in coming days. But it is very important that now all Executives in the BSNL are eligible for purchase of laptop that to be as per his/her choice with fixed partial reimbursement cost and he/she also has the choice to continue to work on BSNL provided Desktop/Laptop without any expenditure from his /her pocket.
This is a good start of HR Month activities as it is the first order issued in HR Month declared by CMD BSNL and something is always better than nothing and here individuals have a choice to decide.
We are hopeful that this extension of the updated laptop policy will reduce difficulties faced by the Executives in field units and now they will not wait for mercy of the higher officers for allotment of Desktop PCs and are given better choices for his/her office work/s. Naturally, it will also help all executives to complete their personal works on this laptop also.
SNEA conveys sincere thanks and gratitude to Shri. A Robert J Ravi, CMD BSNL for considering our genuine requests and giving opportunity to executives in the BSNL for more Techno Savvy and efficient office working.
We also convey thanks and gratitude to Shri. Vivek Banzal, Director CFA BSNL Board and his IT team of BSNL for accepting our requests for desired changes in existing laptop policy and mainly making JTOs/JAOs eligible for laptop reimbursement policy.
We specially convey thanks to Dr. Kalyan Sagar Nippani, Director HR BSNL Board for his firm assurance for extension of laptop policy in the last formal agenda meeting held with SNEA, the only recognised Majority Association.
We convey thanks to Shri. Rajeev Sharma, GM IT BSNL CO and his IT team at BSNL CO for giving consideration to our time to time pursuation and accepting all possible requests from SNEA.
We also convey thanks to Mrs. Anita Johri, PGM SR BSNL CO for supporting this genuine demand of BSNL Executives in all formal agenda meetings.
This is start of HR Month and we are confident that as assured by CMD BSNL and Director HR BSNL time to time the urgent issues of AGM LICE Promotions, OTP Request from Tenure as well Non-Tenure stations, genuine request for change of Circle, retention, cancellation on genuine grounds will be given consideration by today.
We also have seen very positive response from the BSNL Management on resolution of issues related to different pending Promotions and we are hopeful for a certain outcome on all pending promotions also.
Apart from this, other genuine issues like enhancement of SAB contribution, enhancement of TA/DA rates, enhancement of Transportation Allowance, Constitution of Benevolent Fund to support Family members of deceased employees, Second Saturday Off for all field units, Implementation of E7 Scale in place of E6 for BSNL Executives, Approval of Sabbatical leave for Executives, Enhancement in Children Education allowance and certain other allowances available to BSNL Executives, Restoration of Medical reimbursement as per DA/basic of April Month of current Year , BSNL funded GTI Policy, Online IQ Booking and allotment thereof are pursued by SNEA and we are getting positive response from Management on consideration of these issues.
As the majority of the time of HR Month April 2025 is over, there is feeling among some executives that issues will not be given consideration, but as per our continuous persuasion and discussions thereof, we are confident that these issues will be given consideration shortly. We are hopeful for extension of HR Month for some days/weeks in the month of May 2025.
Please be assured that we will get these pending HR issues settled and there is no need for panic just because of the passing HR Month period. We have to move ahead with getting whatever possible solutions on pending HR and financial issues from this BSNL management and we are hopeful for the same.
25-04-2025
AGM Estt. BSNL CO issued Temporary transfer order and extension in Temporary transfers issued earlier of JTOs on Medical and spouse grounds. Copy<<<>> Extn <<<>>
SNEA conveys sincere thanks to Shri. S P Singh, PGM Estt BSNL CO and his team for consideration of these genuine requests by individuals, considering requests and issuing orders in minimum possible time on its online receipt at BSNL CO and making the overall rule 9 transfer procedure totally transparent to the extent that nobody has to approach anyone for such routine and genuine requests.
