The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a package, including 25 per cent rise in emoluments retrospectively, to 3,000 Group A officers of telecom service cadre for absorption in BSNL and MTNL, while extending the date of absorption by two weeks to October 15.
As per the terms of the 'attractive' package, it is made clear that these officers would not have any loss of emoluments (pay + DA) on absorption. The senior officers would be eligible for stagnation increment.
The government has also offered Special Allowance resulting in about 25 per cent increase in emoluments (pay + DA) per month for each officer, calculated as on October 1, 2000 (the date of corporatisation), an official statement said.
The government has also decided to extend the deemed deputation of Group A officers till October 15, 2005 in order to facilitate exercise of the option.
It has also introduced a new provision whereby such employees would have an option to receive pro-rata retirement benefits for the service rendered by them in the government, if so desired. The officers would also be entitled to the benefit of additional five years qualifying service for pension in case they seek voluntary retirement on completion of 20 years service.
However, in the event sufficient number of Group A officers do not become available in BSNL and MTNL, the government has drawn a contingency plan to be put in place, including availing of the expertise of the other Group B officers to look after the operations, seeking the services (on contract) of the retired officers.
The plan also includes taking help from the vendors to manage the exchanges, availing the services of officers from postal service, Railways, etc and if need be, to take the assistance of the armed forces to assist in the maintenance of telecom services.
The government has also authorised the Department of Telecommunications to take all steps to ensure that the services are maintained, it said.
The Cabinet took the decision after considering the matter regarding the absorption of around 3,000 Group A officers of Indian Telecom Service, P&T Accounts and Finance Service and other services (Civil, Electrical, Telecom Factory, Architecture etc.) in BSNL and MTNL.
After corporatisation of the Department of Telecom Services and the Department of Telecom Operations, around 4,00,000 employees were transferred on deemed deputation to BSNL and MTNL for a period up to five years. The period of deemed deputation ends on September 30, 2005. So far, Group B, C and D officers totalling about 3,97,000 have been absorbed in these two organisations.
The Group A officers were given an option to stay with BSNL or MTNL or to revert to the government.
The government hopes that the Group A officers would take the package and stay with BSNL/MTNL and contribute in the nation building activity in the core infrastructure area.
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