Telecom officers firm on civil servant status

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 28. While appreciating the Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan's attempt to persuade the Union Cabinet to grant them civil servant status for 10 years, telecom officers rejected the Government's offer of five years' deemed deputation in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

They said while their work-to-rule agitation would continue, they would also examine legal options to prevent the Government from depriving them of civil servants' status. Officers would be marching to the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow in protest against discrimination shown to them as compared to civil servants from other cadres. Group C & D employees also had some reservations but they do not appear to be grave to lead to a stir.

Today's action in Sanchar Bhavan unfolded amidst heavy deployment of the Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force contingents. Addressing a news conference, Mr. Paswan felt employees should not harbour any misgivings because the Cabinet had given guarantees on all major issues. The pension would be given from the Consolidated Fund of India or any other fund deemed necessary. Financial viability of the corporation would be ensured and the Communications Ministry was trying to convince the Finance Ministry to extend tax concessions to BSNL. ``Only the manner in which the tax relief will be given remains to be sorted out,'' said the Minister.

However, telecom officials milling around Sanchar Bhavan remained unconvinced. The association office-bearers said the ``principle of estoppel,'' ``ITS rules and the UPSC prospectus have offered telecom officers, job protection and growth, along with other civil service cadres. By transferring us from Government to corporation, the Government has violated these rules and we could resort to legal action,'' said a senior officer. ``Under what rule is the Government coercing us to serve as employees of the corporation. They are negating the guarantee given to us when we joined the service,'' they added.

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Section  : National
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