Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Thursday, Oct 13, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 |
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Telecommunications Info-Tech - Trade & Labour Unions `Over 400 officers opt for absorption in BSNL, MTNL' — Telecom officers' association contests claim Our Bureau
New Delhi , Oct. 12 EVEN as the tussle between the Government and Indian Telecom Service Association (ITSA) threatens to cast an uncertainty over the functioning of telecom services in the country during this festival season, the Department of Telecom (DoT) on Wednesday claimed that over 400 Group A officers have opted for absorption in BSNL and MTNL. However, ITSA has contested this claim saying the officers who have signed up are from services other than ITS cadre. "Some 400 Group A Officers have opted for absorption in BSNL and MTNL, and if one includes the retired officers the number is about 800. There is still a gap but, bit by bit, people are coming. Some people submitted their option forms on October 10, and we are processing them. There will be no problem in running and maintaining the telecom services... There will be no disruption," said highly-placed DoT sources, adding that the department intended to put a contingency plan in place by October 15, subject to examination of the related court orders. "We will abide by the court order. If we cannot put in place a contingency plan, we will fight it out legally," they added. When contacted, the ITSA President, Ms S.S. Sirohi, contested DoT's claim saying only four ITS officers had opted for absorption in BSNL and MTNL, that too for personal reasons, while others signing on were not ITSA members but belonged to other Group A services such as Finance, Building Works, Electrical, Telecom factory and Telegraph Services. Meanwhile ITSA, on Tuesday, wrote to the DoT Secretary, Mr J.S. Sarma, seeking a clarification on whether the Government still wanted a list of core pending issues, as the last date for filling up the option form (October 10) was already over, without any extension. "Our meeting concluded with your statement that ITSA will submit the list of core issues that are still to be agreed to by Government... We realised that the date of absorption, had ended. Therefore, as per the DoT announced last date, the absorption process has concluded. Under the given circumstances, we would like to be advised by you whether the list of core issues, as mentioned above, is still to be submitted by ITSA," it said. The association has also filed a contempt notice against DoT for going ahead with the process of absorption of officers despite a stay order by various courts to this effect. The issue of absorption of over 2,200 technical officers has been hanging fire for over a year now. It may be recalled that at the time of formation of BSNL on October 1, 2000, the Cabinet had permitted deemed deputation for Group A officers for five years. The date was set to expire on September 30, 2005, but was later extended to October 15. The DoT has offered terms and conditions for absorption in BSNL and MTNL with option to remain in Government service.
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