The EGoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL is scheduled to meet tomorrow, 27th January. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations have written several times to the Chairman of the EGoM about the urgency of taking favourable decisions in this respect. The Declaration adopted at National Convention on Revival of BSNL/MTNL was forwarded with request to concede the important demands. Out of that some issues have been settled.The Rs. 1,500 crore from USOF is already paid; but the Rs.1,250crore from USOF is pending due to some report from BSNL is to be received by DOT/USOF.The mandating of BSNL/MTNL services for ll central/state establishments is reported to have been recommended for decision.
Now one important decision the EGoM has to take is changing the criterion for payment of pension contribution to the government by BSNL. At present it is on the basis of the maximum of the pay scale. This is unjust. It should only be on the basis of the actual pay. This is not settled so far. On the contrary, now when it has been decided that MTNL employees are also granted Pension as in the case of BSNL, the contribution on the basis of maximum is insisted.
The Forum has again written to the Finance minister that this injustice should be removed and the pension contribution should only on the basis of the actual pay. Copy of the letter is given below:
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, TELEGRAPH PLACE, GOLE MARKET, NEW DELHI – 110001
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Forum/GL 25th January 2014
To
Shri P.Chidambaram,
Finanace Minister & Chairman,
EGoM on Revival of BSNL/MTNL,
North Block Central Secretariat,
New Delhi – 110001
Sub: Revival of BSNL/MTNL – Pensionary Contribution from BSNL/MTNL to be on the basis of actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale – requested
Respected Sir,
We are happy that the Government has considered the question of revival of BSNL and MTNL and the EGoM appointed under your chairmanship is examining the various aspects of reviving the two ailing PSUs. In this connection We would like to bring to your notice one most important issue, which if favourably onsiderd, will give much finanacial relief to both the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL.
The issue is about the payment of pensionary contribution that is to be paid to the government by the BSNL and MTNL for the DOT employees who have been absorbed in BSNL and MTNL. In the case of BSNL employees, it was part of the agreement that pension will be paid by the Govenment and that pension contribution for the employees will have to be paid by BSNL to Govenment. In the case of MTNL absorbed employees, the government has now decided the same method.
But the pension contribution to be paid by the BSNL and MTNL is caculated in an unjust manner. The BSNL and MTNL are directed to pay on the basis of the maximum of the payscale of the employee, instead of his/her actual pay. In the case of government employees on deputation, the government orders are that the pension contribution is to be paid on the basis of the actual pay. This should be the criteria for the payment of pension contribution by BSNL and MTNL also. By paying on the maximum of the payscale, the PSUs are compelled to pay many hundreds of crores of rupees from the loss making companies.
In order to reduce the loss of the companies and also as equalising the pension contribution as in the case of deputation of government employees, we request that the EGoM/Government may kindly take a decision to reduce the pension contribution by directing that it should be paid on the basis of the actual pay instead of the maximum of he pay scale.
An early favourable decision in the matter will be highly appreciated.
Thanking you,
Yours Faithfully,
sd/-
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener.