Meeting Pitroda ?

  
 
When all the unions plan for dharna on 26 03 2010, why other unions/associations were not present  while meeting Pitroda? 
Whether any invitation was extended to other unions?
What was the reply from other unions?
Some only wrote to the PM that outside talents is necessary for revitalising BSNL.  BSNL is having immense talent and their talents can be used for upliftment of BSNL.  Here all experts are available. Due to constraints one way or other, all the talents present are not tapped properly.  
Who plans things in BSNL?

The matter is from SNEA site. 

Association met Sam Pitroda on 17th March: 

Association had a very free and forthright exchange of views with Sam Pitroda for about 45 minutes on wide ranging issues covering very complex and virtually irretrievable situation that BSNL is in today, the recommendations of the committee, the implementation part of the acceptable recommendations of the committee, the broad disagreements that Association has vis-a vis certain recommendations, so on and so forth.

 Association, while expressing its total unanimity on the issue of complete transformation of the present process of leadership induction through redundant mechanism of PESB, structure and composition of the Company, suggested by the committee and other positive recommendations, also candidly conveyed its disagreement on disinvestment, VRS, outsourcing etc.

Association conveyed that inordinate and deliberate delay by the Govt. in not resolving the critical issue of absorption of ITS in BSNL has adversely and irreversibly affected the growth of BSNL and the total mismanagement and anarchy that the Company finds itself in today is largely because of non resolution of this key issue. Mr Pitroda was in agreement with our opinion on this crucial issue. 

Sam Pitroda strongly felt that the recommendations of the committee have not to be seen and analyzed in an isolated and limited but in a holistic manner. All the recommendations read together only convey tangible meaning in terms of achieving the broad objectives for which the committee was constituted by Hon’ble PM. Massive and sweeping reforms on all the fronts like inducting quality high grade talent from the open market to lead the Company at the top, procurement policy, strategies for optimum and effective exploitation and utilization of the huge workforce, introducing innovative processes in the Company, HR policies, prudent investment policies, keeping political and bureaucratic interference at bay, giving the Company a new direction etc etc. were the need of the hour to keep the Company alive, Pitroda felt. He was of the opinion that labour in BSNL is a great asset but how much of it is needed is an issue. He does not want to see the labour on the streets but a very discreet and attractive package to reduce the numbers can always be considered. 

Pitroda said that he has completed the job of defining future blueprint for BSNL in the stipulated time frame after intense consultations with top BSNL Management, bankers, investors, industry analysts keeping a close and consistent watch over rapid sector developments, leading consultants, some imminent officers having retired from DOT and BSNL. Now it is left to the PM to take a final call on the recommendations of the Committee and recommendations need to be meticulously analyzed by talented professionals. Present BSNL board, Pitroda is of the firm view, by any standard is not really equipped to evaluate and decide on the recommendations.  

To begin with, the Govt. should go ahead with appointing about 50 quality telecom professionals from outside, pay them salaries comparable to the top class executives of the leading telecom companies, utilize some of them as heads of Circles and others in the Corporate office handling key policy matters. An imminent and outstanding person capable of withstanding political and bureaucratic interference should take over as Chairman etc etc. On all these issues, Govt. has to finally decide. On being asked whether he has in mind any specific person to lead the Company, Pitroda said that enough high quality talent is available in telecom sector at the moment and it is only a question of spotting and deciding. 

Pitroda underlined the great need of trade unions playing a key and leading role in getting involved to enforce the whole set of reforms in the Company which alone will save the Company from completely collapsing. At the moment, the Company is plagued by total mismanagement and operating inefficiency, does not have a direction and a vision, lacks professionalism and is virtually in a mess. Trade unions must aggressively step in to play a pragmatic role in drastically transforming the Company and defining its new direction.

Association clearly and firmly spelt out the grounds on which it feels that VRS, disinvestment, outsourcing etc will not improve the performance of the Company and thus need to be opposed.

Sam Pitroda was extremely cordial and frank in expressing his opinion on wide ranging issues and wished BSNL all the success and good luck. He also while concluding impressed upon us (associations and trade unions) to continue our efforts relentlessly to bring BSNL out of the imbroglio in which it is caught at the moment.    

We thank Com Jayati Ghosh, member knowledge commission, and Comrades of our Gujarat circle for helping us to meet Sh Pitroda