Victory of the people, for the perople, by the people

News Letter– 25

STOP NOT TILL THE GOAL IS ACHIEVED

Dear ASTO Members,

As per the action plan which was announced vide our News Letter dated 23rd April, 2007 Hunger Strike at Delhi w.e.f. 23rd April, 2007 was discontinued and the ASTO leaders under the leadership of Sh. C.R. Das proceeded to Mumbai for meeting with Director (HR) on 24th April, 2007.

The meeting was held at Mumbai with Director (HR), ED-Chief ER and ED-HRO Mumbai. While there was a total boycott of food at offshore installations, the leaders also did not have any food during the meeting. Following issues out of 27 issues raised were settled and agreed:

1. Immediate publication of reports relating to prevailing safety conditions at work centres, Rigs & Installations as well as previous accidents. Immediate replacement of obsolete equipment and rigs with strict adherence to HSE norms.
   
   It was agreed that the reporting shall be made mandatory through ICE system for all the reporting of HSE. Two assets – Ankleshwar and Ahmedabad shall be taken up for study of Safety systems and suggest the required changes.
   
   
2. Release of adhoc payment w.e.f. January, 2006 on monthly basis ranging from Rs.15000/- to Rs.55000/- per month against pending Pay Revision to arrest the brain drain / attrition
   
   The management agreed for the same in principle and shall take further action after making presentation to the Justice Rao Pay revision committee at the end of this month. The management shall take decision after a period of one month.
   
   
3. 50% DA merger w.e.f. 01.01.2005.
   
   The issue is under advanced stage of discussion. Chairman SCOPE has also written a letter to ministry for resolving the issue at the earliest.
   
   
4. Payment of arrears of additional incentive (Profit sharing for the year 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and payment to Officers on deputation to other organization in the interest of ONGC. Further, final payment for the year 2005-06 as per the proposed review of incentive scheme already submitted by ASTO
   
   After detailed deliberations management agreed to release further payment of 10 to 15%. Further, it was agreed that payment shall also be made to officers on deputation so as to compensate them for the profit sharing.
   
   
5. Review of PRBS as per the unanimous resolution of CWC on 21st July, 2006.
   
   Management agreed to get the issue re-examined through the PRBS committee of ASTO and was open to any suggestion for modification of the scheme.
   
   
6. Immediate implementation of Removal of anomaly in pay scales of E-2 to E-5 generated during pay revision of 1992.
   
   Management accepted that this anomaly exists. However, the wage revision guidelines of DPE do not permit the change of pay scale now. Hence, management has agreed to take the issue to HRM and Board for making lump sum payment against the difference that shall arise due to the change of pay scale.
   
   
7. Industry practice to be followed for the Laptop advance.
   
   It was agreed to issue the relevant order for providing all the executives with a Laptop in the next fifteen days.
   
   
8. Review of R&P and existing MOU as per the report submitted by ASTO. Further, restoration of promotion for the cases that have been reverted to Supervisor cadre. Immediate review of faceless moderation carried out in 2001 to 2003 at Hqrs. and recognition of MA in Public Administration as Q-2 w.e.f. 01.01.1997.
   
   MA in Public Administration shall be treated as Q-2 w.e.f 01.01.1997 and the necessary orders shall be issued shortly. Further, one mark for field experience at Hazira and Uran was also agreed and promotion orders of affected officers shall be issued in due course.
   
   
9. Release of pending merit promotions up to E-4 for the year 2001, 2002 and 2003.

   
   Though previously management had agreed to do predating promotions only upto 2002. However, after vigorous persuasion management has now agreed to carry out predating promotions upto 2003.
   
   

10. Implementation of policy for Residential building, Bachelor Accommodation and Guest House constructions / maintenance as per the Building policy approved by EC.

    
    Director (HR) stressed that the implementation of policy needs to be carried out by the concerned Virtual Corporate Board and the Key Executives. Failure to do so shall be taken seriously by Management. ASTO units shall be giving regular feedback to the Director (HR).
    
    

11. Immediate enhancement of Lease and Self lease rates, the Lease and Self Lease facility at Ahmedabad should also be on the same lines as in Metro cities and restoration of Lease & Self Lease facility for E-0 to E-2. Further, enhancement of Maintenance charges from Two months to Three months.
    
    

    It was agreed that ASTO shall be providing the details for enhancement of lease/self lease rent/HRA for various cities. Further in principle agreement was arrived to enhance the maintenance charges from two months to three months. The proposal shall be approved in EC.
    
    

12. Employees performing 12 hrs. Duty pattern are to be paid Operational allowance @12.5% instead of 10% and Operation Allowance for Helibase.
    

    Operational allowance for officers working at Helibase in Operational Activities has been agreed. Operational allowance @12.5% for officers in twelve hour shift pattern is under study by CIEG and the report shall be available within 10 days and the same shall be implemented.
    
    

13. Extension of medical facility to dependent who retired from PSUs / Government services irrespective of their amount of pension drawn.
    
    

    The issue is under active consideration and shall be put up for approval to EC.
    
    

14. Review of Circular on Check Fare especially for employees working on ON/OFF pattern.
    
    

    It was agreed that the circular on check fare shall not be applicable for officers doing on/off duty in offshore as well as onshore.
    
    

15. Review of Mobile phones scheme and Mobile Phones to be provided to all the officers.
    
    

    After detailed deliberations the facility is now extended to E0 officers also with monthly ceiling of Rs.750/- and mobile handset reimbursement of Rs.7000/- . Further, necessary changes like STD facility and other clarifications shall be issued shortly.
    

    Friends, again we have proved that we can achieve much more with the active persuasion and deliberations that we have carried out in the past and shall continue to do so in future whether any of us are there in CWC or not. Main point is we shall continue to fight for the just demands of the officer’s community.
    Keeping the positive resolutions of issues in mind ASTO units decided to defer the agitation program.

LONG LIVE ASTO UNITY