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26. Merger of BSNL & MTNL: In the UPA Government the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) recommended to provide Pension to MTNL employees under Rule-37A., after 3rd PRC, the pay scales of BSNL & MTNL employees will be made equal which has got approval of Cabinet and orders are issued. It is also proposed that as per synergy and PAN INDIA presence to review both the PSUs, EGoM has also suggested merger of BSNL & MTNL. EGoM’s recommendations are yet to be send to Cabinet for approval. Meanwhile some study groups were formed in DoT to examine the issues related to financial matters, technical matters and HR issues. We have given our views on this issue that before the merger of BSNL and MTNL these issues needs settlement to avoid complications. 27. In the above backdrop, we would like to share our thoughts with this august gathering. We acknowledge the comments of CMD, BSNL Shri Anupam Shrivastava that “BSNL has been doing its socio-economic duty, as always, and is committed to provide its services using all available technologies. Connection the whole country with mobile and broadband connectivity is an ambitious endeavor of the government and we are integrated part of it. With the passage of time many more projects will come and we shall do our best to serve this country”. Further, we acknowledge the comments of Director (CFA), BSNL Shri N.K. Gupta also that “BSNL’s wire line customer base and its revenue are shrinking day by day in spite of providing required store materials such as CLIP instruments and U/G PIJF cable etc. by Corporate Office, which is a matter of serious concern to all of us”. 28. Despite having a definite edge over the Private Operators in many areas, BSNL has some weaknesses too. The main weakness lies in its structure itself i.e. the Management believes and possesses a work culture which does not suit the need of the hour. There is no denial that the dependency on other Departments/ Organizations like Planning Commission, Department of Electronics, Department of Expenditure, Department of Telecommunications and Department of Public Enterprises delays the decisions. BSNL has to be given the freedom to decide its own issues. After all, it is the BSNL Management which is responsible and accountable to the Public whereas others are not. In this background, BSNL needs to be given the full autonomy in decision making both on functional and financial front. In the process of decision making, innovative ideas and bold initiatives need not be distrusted and overcome by the age old DoT systems and procedures of ensuring safety and propriety. In the modern management concept, it is also necessary to decentralize the administrative and financial powers for not only reducing the burden on the top management but also to give adequate freedom to the lower formations. Unfortunately, a typical DoT work culture is still continuing in BSNL, which tends to keep the powers centralized and prevents any move in positive direction. The BSNL again suffers most in the absence of a sense of team spirit. The conviction of team leaders to live in isolation keeps them away from the realities. In the challenging current business scenario with highly competitive market conditions and customer expectations in terms of quality of service, BSNL will have to gear up itself to improve its performance in achieving excellent growth in all spheres. Accordingly, BSNL needs to take immediate steps to motivate its works force, their skills and profile through trainings, seminars, moral education and attractive incentive schemes etc. so that it meets the challenges and increases its profitability in future and also prevents the brain drain. 29. As a service association we cannot remain silent spectator to the problems of our cadres. As already stated, our members are frustrated due to non-settlement of the following pending grievances: (a) Filling up of the vacant SAG/JAG, STS Group ‘A’ posts in BSNL of all streams. (b) Regular Promotion from JTO (T) to SDE (Telecom) and JTO(TF) to SDE(TF) of seniority and LDCE quota. (c) Serious irregularities in the TES Gr. B officer’s seniority lists: Finalization of TES-‘B’ seniority list on the basis of recent Hon’ble Supreme Court verdict. (d) Early CPCs from JAO to AO , AO to CAO and CAO to DGM.(F) (e) CPC from SDE(C/E) to EE(C/E). TELEWAVE Page-19 AUGUST-2015