AIGETOA for IPO with a rider. -IPO to gain momentum?

In the meanwhile, GM (SR) contacted GS today and informed that DoT has desired a presentation by the Unions and Associations on the recommendations of SAM Pitroda committee on 9th September 2010, specially the association's view on the following four recommendations which has a direct bearing on the employees:

• Retire or transfer around 100K employees through best possible processes like VRS.
• Institute a performance-driven culture to create a meritocratic organization.
• Disinvest 30% in stages at the appropriate time through Indian Strategic investor and at Initial Public Offering (IPO) to return 10% to government and use 20% for employee VRS, expansion and operation.
• Unbundle local loop for public and private companies to launch new services on non exclusive basis with care to prevent cannibalization.

AIGETOA has been invited to make a presentation on the above issues before a committee in BSNL on 6th September 2010 at 2:30 P.M. before making a final presentation before the committee formed under the chairmanship of Member (Services) on 9th September 2010.

This is once again highlighted that AIGETOA has been strongly advocating for performance driven culture in BSNL since its inception. In fact in the meeting on 24th June 2009 which was chaired by then CMD BSNL and in presence of Director (HR), the association gave a detailed presentation on the performance driven inclusive career growth for all and was able to impress upon the then CMD shri Kuldeep Goyal that this was indeed a very good proposal. But absence of a transparent and robust performance measurement tool at that time was cited as a major constraint in implementing such policy. But now with Pitroda committee recommendations in place, change in mindset of people and increasing awareness amongst employees for performance, presence of tools like GPMS/IPMS/FPMS, this doesn't seems that impossible. Only thing that is needed is a strong will power to move ahead.

AIGETOA has also been a strong proponent of IPO but with a rider that the money generated should be invested back for the growth and development of BSNL and a proper valuation of BSNL assets should be done before floating of the IPO.

In regard to the VRS also we have given our opinion that company can and should go for VRS but only after finalizing a very good scheme in consultation with all the stake holders of the company i.e. employees and executives.

Our comments: Why all unions in BSNL sit and come to a common conclusion for the betterment of BSNL and workers? 

If some unions speak in lone voice, BSNL and DoT will take a final decision. 

It is betterment of the company and for staff, all unions must speak in one voice. 

If we are going to an inch to the government, surely Indian public will suffer as nobody can control the tariff of private operators.  Time has come that some private operators want to exit the telecom scene due to high costs and not able to roll out in all circles as planned earlier.  Moreover 3 G services are not going to be cheap as though.  MTNL has to work for 191 years to get the licence fee paid for 3 g services. Similar the case  for other companies. 

BSNL is going for a change.  Yesterday at Amethei, Pitroda said that services given by BSNL are not satisfactory.  We cannot expect to do good services by giving our hands, legs tied and win the race. 

BSNL is not able to get 3 G data cards, shortage of broadband equipments.etc. But in some places, BSNL staff work over time to get sim cards activated. 

Let all the unions sit and come to a final conclusion and give a presentation better for BSNL,Staff and the nation also.