Telecom stir off after pact

NEW DELHI, JUNE 25: The work-to-rule agitation by Indian Telecom Services association was called off on Sunday following an agreement with...

NEW DELHI, JUNE 25: The work-to-rule agitation by Indian Telecom Services association was called off on Sunday following an agreement with the Government under which a new department would be carved out with an officer of telecom services as its chief.

Under mounting pressure from agitating telecom officers who opposed appointment of an IAS officer as secretary of Department of Telecom Services DTS, Union Communications Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said a new department named department of telecom operations8217; would be created bifurcating the DTS.

The new department would be headed by an officer belonging to the Indian Telecom Services, he told reporters here. The deal to end the stir, which began on Friday affecting telecom services especially STD and ISD calls, was announced by Paswan and general secretary of Indian Telecom service assocation K K Sinha.

Paswan said work allocation between the existing Department of Telecom Services and the newly-carved Department of Telecom Operations would be finalised after consulting Prime Minister Vajpayee and the Cabinet Secretariat.

He, however, was at pains to explain the rationale for creating a new ministry when the government has been on a mission to downsize the administration.

Paswan called the leaders of agitating telecom association today after their meeting with Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary of Prime Minister failed yesterday.

Most of the long distance lines and interconnectivity between cellular and landlines resumed by noon today after the pact was reached by the government and employees.

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Paswan said the group of minister GoM constituted by the Prime Minister would submit its report by August 15 with its suggestions on corporatisation by October one.

GoM comprising ministers of finance, human resource development, commerce and industry, labour and minister of state for personnel, besides Paswan would look into pensionary benefits and pay fixation for the employees prior to corporatisation of DTS by October one, 2000.