In view of April 2025 as HR Month proposed by Shri. A Robert J Ravi, CMD BSNL, three Recognized associations viz. SNEA, AIGETOA and SEWA had submitted detailed agenda well in advance by the end of March 2025 and are continuously pursuing further together.
By now almost half of the April 2025 is passed, but no action has been seen on the resolution of agenda submitted and the simple and routine issues like issuing AGM LICE Promotion Orders, Transfer orders for consideration of OTP Requests pending for last one year period etc are not given consideration and there is mass unrest among the executives who have high expectations from this HR Month as announced by CMD BSNL.
In this regard, it is to inform that discussions among the General Secretaries of the recognised associations viz. SNEA, AIGETOA and SEWA started well in advance of HR Month and since 02/04/2025, we had different rounds of discussions with prominent officers in BSNL Management viz. PGM SR/Rstg, PGM Admn/Estt/Trg, PGM Pers, Director HR and even with CMD BSNL and it has been always assured for resolution of HR issues but practically nothing has been decided except Extension of Laptop Policy to field units for which also order is not yet issued.
By taking note of discussions with different officers and responses and progress thereof, General Secretaries of the Recognised Associations viz. SNEA, AIGETOA & SEWA had a meeting with Shri A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD BSNL at 2000 Hrs on 11/04/2025 in his office, wherein Shri Rajeev Kaushik PGM Pers was also present.
At the outset, we have shared the feelings of the executives all over India and how excellent idea by CMD BSNL for April 2025 as HR Month has been become part of jokes and criticism in group discussions on social media and how the executives are losing their patience as nothing is seen as desired out of HR Month April 2025.
In response, CMD BSNL expressed that the team of Pers section is working day and night for the last ten days and when things are moving ahead and HR issues are being resolved one by one why association leaders are worried and become panicked.
CMD BSNL confirmed that BSNL Management Committee has approved the proposal for extension of updated Laptop policy to field units for all executives and things are being decided one by one.
We expressed that by now half of the working days of April 2025 are passed and we have seen nothing as outcome in HR Month as assured by his high office.
We elaborated that even a simple and routine work which was expected in the first day/week of April 2025 like AGM LICE Promotion Orders, OTP Request transfers etc are not seeing light of day even though it has been firmly assured by everyone up to Director HR BSNL Board. We also added that we have requested to start HR Month with AGM LICE Order, but the same also is not given consideration.
We conveyed that the officers in different Pers/HR/ Admn sections all over India are busy in updating data of the Educational Qualifications of all executives in ESS/ERP and we agree that they are working even on holidays and late evening hours, but nothing has been seen as outcome out of such huge efforts. We categorically brought to his notice that the issues are not decided for unknown reasons and there is need for his intervention of his high office as we find that issues are struck up at decision level and can be resolved only with his directions.
CMD BSNL asked PGM Pers what are the issues and why such unrest is among the executives when he and his office is working day and night including holidays. PGM Pers shared that issues are being looked into and basic works are being taken care of and very shortly the issues can be decided.
We added that though work/s are being done day and night, even an issue of 200 plus AGM LICE promotions is not finalised even with day and night working by officers in the Pers section. We also added that we are stressing for this AGM LICE orders as priority HR issues, we have seen OTP orders of July 2024 window ready in Dec 2024, but the same is also not issued and it is really a matter of concern. PGM Pers responded that major work on both the issues is completed and assured for early completion of the remaining part.
CMD BSNL shared that Pers team should have started this work well in advance in the month of January so that the issues could have been reached to conclusions by this time. CMD BSNL added that he has certain ideas to improve the process of Promotions and Transfer/posting in BSNL including OTP requests based on performance of executives concerned.
We responded that since last fortnight, this issue has been discussed with us by PGM SR, PGM Pers and Director HR and we are being asked to give consent for the SOP for Transfer and Posting 2025-26. We added that the associations have conveyed changes required in this draft SOP and the same are not yet decided to its finality and the rounds of discussions are not concluded in the last fortnight and finalization of SOP also needs kind intervention from his high office.
In response, CMD BSNL informed that since fortnight the team of Pers section is working day and night and have not taken any holiday and associations should appreciate such devoted working. He expressed that he is not aware of any such SOP which needs to be signed by Associations but he agreed there is a need for acknowledging and respecting performance of executives in BSNL. He added that good performers need to be rewarded and non-performers should at least be given the feeling that one has to perform and give his/her best to the BSNL.
We have conveyed that associations have suggested some corrections and our main concern is about APAR as base for counting performance in place of IPMS and introduction of Probation period for promotions in BSNL against DoPT guidelines. CMD BSNL directed PGM Pers to look into the concern expressed by the associations and see possibilities of its consideration.
CMD BSNL again said that executives should be so devoted to BSNL that when one gets up in the morning, he should think of only BSNL and how he/she can give the best for BSNL on a day to day basis. He formally assured for resolution of HR issues and categorically asked important issues which the association needs resolution.
We have submitted that we have already shared the letter consisting the list of all such issues which needs to be resolved in HR Month April 2025 and are pursuing with all to fulfil HR Month assurance.
CMD BSNL categorically directed PGM Pers to check the issues submitted by the associations and to complete all the works with Priority to Promotion and Transfer/ Posting Orders without any further delay. CMD BSNL added that he also desires to complete all works related to Promotions and Transfers by the coming week and it depends on how fast the Pers section responds to it.
We have detailed discussions on the Promotions for AO to CAO, JTO to SDE Civil/Elect and other promotions wherein associations gave detailed feedback.
CMD BSNL informed that as per his information and analysis, there is difference of opinion amongst the associations on this issue and hence issues cannot be decided. We updated him on the happenings over the period and how the matter has come to a stage where BSNL can issue AO to CAO promotions if certain initiatives with some concrete steps are taken as per DoPT guidelines in tune with Supreme Court Directions which are endorsed by DoPT vide letter dated 22/04/2022 and being followed in BSNL for promotions in all wings.
Some of the updates like intervention of Supreme Court and directions thereof were new to him and assured to look into this issue if associations come with a common proposal and we have assured for the same. CMD BSNL directed PGM Pers to look into the issues and see for possible solutions for these pending promotions and see that promotions and transfers are issued together as early as possible.
We added that though major issues submitted by Recognised Associations are with PGM Pers, but there are certain HR issues which need action by other vertical heads under Director HR viz. SR/Rstg, Admn, Estt, Trg/Rectt and here also his intervention is required to decide the issues.
CMD BSNL informed that all these issues submitted by associations are handed over to Director HR with directions to look into these issues. He assured for the resolution of certain issues but categorically informed that all the issues cannot be resolved in HR Month but one by one genuine issues will be discussed and decided and directed us to submit detailed feedback and submission on these issues.
On huge pending court cases and heavy expenditure thereof, CMD BSNL once again reiterated that he really means it to reduce the number of court cases and huge expenditure thereof and he has a lot of expectations from the Associations in this direction. We shared that we have analysed all the pending court cases and submitted a case wise report to PGM Pers and are waiting for further response from Pers Cell.
We added that the majority of the court cases are by individuals against non-settlement of individual grievances and can be settled if the grievances are addressed and applicants are given special hearing by holding special Lok Adalat within BSNL.
We added there are certain court cases filed by associations as applicants and we are ready for discussions and withdrawal of the court cases if the concerned units /section give due consideration of the issue disputed in court or explain us the issues with support of documents and guidelines on the subject so that we can change our stand in tune with these guidelines.
We narrated that there are major cases related to Seniority, Promotions & Pay which are common for all and if the appeal by CMD BSNL is given due consideration by the concerned vertical Heads, the court cases will be reduced to a better extent.
CMD BSNL directed PGM Pers to look into concerns expressed by the associations and directed him to come up with proposals on all the court cases which can be resolved.
In overall discussions, CMD BSNL has stressed for more contribution by the executives for growth of BSNL and in reciprocation he is ready to resolve all the issues one by one.
CMD BSNL informed that there are certain officers in BSNL Corporate Office who are overstayed in sections as well as in Corporate Office and there is proposal to shift few of the longest stayed officers from BSNL. We expressed that already it is decided to stop long stay transfers and keep it minimum need base and there should not any such proposal.
CMD BSNL informed that many officers are in same sections and verticals for years together and their sections will be changed but few are posted at Corporate office for very long period and they may be transferred and directed PGM Pers to share details with associations.
In conclusion, we requested for some firm assurance and steps for resolutions of the issues and CMD BSNL firmly assured for issuing Promotions and Transfer/posting together within fortnight and most probably in coming week but he stressed for certain importance to performance in deciding it by with due consideration to suggestions given by association to possible extent. We conveyed thanks for the same and assured all possible support from Associations with timely feedback on different issues as discussed in the meeting.
From these detailed discussions with CMD BSNL which lasted for more than half an hour, we feel that CMD BSNL has nothing negative on HR issues but he has readiness on resolution of HR issues in a proactive manner. Accordingly, we are hopeful for the start of HR Month with certain results and consideration of OTP Requests and AGM LICE Promotions in this week or early next week.
Let us hope for the best.
