Dear Comrades,

!!! Here is a Feather in our Cap !!!

I am happy to convey that the recognition of our Association has been renewed further for a period of five years with effect from 04.03.2012 (click to see copy of the renewal letter). The renewal of recognition is significant at this stage considering that the cadre restructuring is likely to take place in the department in few months. Any grievances of the members can be taken up with the Board only if we are recognized and renewed in time. A special mention should be made of Shri. Deepak Pal, our organizing secretary in getting the renewal. The unit secretaries are requested to apply to the undersigned for affiliation of their zonal units.

I had to rush to New Delhi last week regarding our seniority case pending in the apex court. As there was only one day for hearing before the vacation, the Bench has posted the matter immediately after vacation i.e., in July for final hearing. I am sure the case will be heard and finalized at that time.

During my visit to the capital, I went to the Board offices to check and follow up the issues relating to the ministerial cadre. Regarding DPC for promotion to the grade of CAO, the UPSC had earlier raised few queries which have been rectified by the Board and the DPC is expected to be conducted shortly. Further, as regards the notification of Recruitment Rules for the post of Chief Accounts Officer and Administrative Officer, it is informed by the board officials that the queries raised by the Law Ministry have been addressed and the file was again re-submitted to the Law Ministry for its approval.  The RRs are likely to be finalized and notified at the earliest.

There is a lot of expectation amongst the members on the proposed cadre restructuring (CR) in CBEC. The CR in CBDT is in advanced stages and in CBEC, it is learnt that the file is presently with Department of Expenditure. The Revenue Secretary has asked the DoE to expedite the file and the process is going on at good pace. It is expected that the CR in CBEC will bring lots of cheers to all irrespective of their rank and cadre. This Association has put in maximum efforts to ensure that the new RRs notified consequent to the VI PC and CR does not have any adverse impact on the members.

It is a known fact that some of the posts like DOS, AO, etc., in our ministerial cadre are stagnated and aggrieved due to some biased policy decisions of the Board during the last couple of decades. This Association has given utmost importance to address their grievances. I sincerely hope that in the ensuing CR, their genuine grievances which were brought to the attention of the Board time and again, are addressed and resolved.

The office-bearers of this association have sought an appointment with Member (P&V) and the same has been fixed on 15.05.2013 at 11 am to discuss the pending issues before the Board on the following issues.

• DPC to the Grade of CAO

• Notification of Recruitment Rules to the post of CAO & AO

• Proposed Amendment in the Recruitment Rules to the post of Inspector

• AO/DOS Grade Pay issue

• Other important issues pertaining to the Ministerial Cadre

Hopefully all our grievances will be addressed positively to bring lots of cheers and happiness to our members.

Comradely yours,

-sd-

Sudharsan J

Secretary General

LATEST UPDATES

Dear Comrades,

The Board office has confirmed that the Recruitment Rules for the post of Administrative Officer was cleared by UPSC and will be notified after getting concurrence from Law Ministry.  The file will be sent to Law Ministry next week.  

Regarding CAO DPC the file is still pending with UPSC.

Comradely yours

Sudharsan J

Secretary General

Latest News

Dear Comrades,

Due to the consistent efforts put by this association the Recruitment Rules for the post of Chief Accounts Officer and Administrative Officer have been sent by the board to UPSC for its approval with requisite documents as per their checklist on 15.03.2013.  

Today (18.03.2010) the file pertaining to DPC to the grade of Chief Accounts Officer was submitted to UPSC again for its approval and to obtain an early date to conduct DPC upto 2009-2010.

The Recruitment Rules for the post of Inspector was again submitted back to DoP&T.  Though this association is having its own reservations on the proposed amendment of Recruitment Rules to the post of Inspector and several submissions were made by this association on the above issue, the department has forwarded the file again back to DoP&T owing to the pressure mounted by some section of people which is unwarranted and will bring huge disappointment among a larger section of its employees.

This association will keep impressing upon the board to ensure that the existing Ministerial Officers are not affected by the proposed amendment in the Inspector RR. 

Our President Shri. Ashim Pramanik has met Member (Service Tax) at Kolkotta today and apprised her our concern over the above issues.  Madam Majumdar has assured that these issues will be taken up with Member (P&V) for early redressal.  

Comradely Yours

Sudharsan J 

Latest updates

Dear Comrades,

Though this association is putting all its best possible efforts before the CBEC to conduct long pending DPC to the grade of Chief Accounts Officer it appears that there is a lack of co-ordination among various sections / departments and want of sincere and consistent efforts which are coming in the way of achieving the same.  The promotion to the grade of Administrative Officer, even on an Ad-hoc basis, is also held up for quite some time owing to similar display of indifference by the Authorities, concerned, towards the well being of Ministerial Officers.

We would like to mention here that the members of this association are losing their patience and every month number of officers are retiring without getting their legitimate promotion.  This Association right from 2009 is pursuing the issue of CAO DPC through written submissions and several oral requests during discussions with several Board Officers. 

Every time it took several months for the department to compile the deficiencies/data pointed out by the UPSC and after the deficiencies were rectified and sent a back to the UPSC, the UPSC immediately comes out with another list of names where by deficiencies in ACRs gradings or the integrity certificate / Certificate imposing penalty if any are pointed out.

This Association is bemused about the oblivion response of the department, as the department is not able to set right the deficiencies in one go.  So far the UPSC has returned the CAO DPC file back to the department more than 6 times during the past 3 years pointing the same reasons with fresh list of names, having deficiencies.

Certain questions needs to be answered by the department as to whether:-

1. Why the department has not raised the issue before the UPSC as whenever the CAO file goes to UPSC it comes with fresh list of names pointing deficiencies and why the UPSC has not pointed all the deficiencies at once?

2.  Why the department is not showing the same interest when they conduct DPC to the grade of Assistant Commissioner from Supdt./ Appraiser of CBEC?

3. Why the draft Seniority list to the grade of Administrative Officer published during last year is not being considered for DPC to the grade of CAO?

It seems the department is also mulling over the same fate for the DPC to the grade of Administrative Officer as in the case of Chief Administrative Officer. 

Coming June it will be 1 full year over as the department has directed to stop promotion to the grade of Administrative Officer citing some objections raised by the DoPT.  Due to this the promotion to the grade of AO is also not taking place throughout the country. 

Recently the DoP&T has cleared the Draft Recruitment Rules to the post of AO and has sent the file to UPSC for further necessary action.  The higher authorities of CBEC has assured this association that once the draft RR is approved by the DoP&T necessary instructions will be given to the field formations to continue the Ad-hoc promotions till the Regular RRs to the post of AO are notified.

The CBEC is neither giving promotion to the worst affected DOS/AO after putting 15 to 20 years of Service in their respective cadres nor upgrading their Payscales as demanded by this Association right throughout the last decade.   There is a gross slump on the activity of the department towards the Administrative Cadre.  It will not be out of place to mention that one fine day the department will realize that there will be no DOS / AO to scrutinize even the Pension papers of the Officers who are getting retired and the Officers/Staff of CBEC will be left in lurch.

It is high time that the department needs to realize and stop giving promises before the Association that the issues will be sorted out at the earliest whenever they raises before the higher Authorities. 

This Association is left with no other option and its members are losing their patience and will be forced to go on a series of agitation programme.  We are not threatening the department, but it is the apathy of the department which the Association needs to point out how it lacks to conduct the DPC for a single cadre right from the year 2007.

A latest letter addressed to the Chairperson and copy endorsed to Member (P&V) on the above issue is posted here. (Click to view)

Regarding Cadre-restructure there was a sustained effort from the authorities of CBDT to get their re-structuring file cleared by the Committee of Secretaries during the last week of February.  We also anticipate same efforts are being put down by our department too since our restructuring file is pending before the DoP&T quite a long time.

The Seniority case pending before the Supreme Court is being listed in the weekly list every week and it is not being listed in the daily list as these cases are yet to be heard by the Bench.  So far all these weeks some part heard cases, some media related cases are coming up for hearing and the status of our case remains same.  I take this opportunity to request our members to remain calm, vigilant and strive for the success of our case.  I cannot write more than this in the blog about our case.  Certain things cannot be spelt out.  I hope, the case will come up soon and definitely there will be good news for our cadre.

Comradely yours

Sudharsan J

 

Minutes of the Central Executive Committee Meeting Hyderabad

Dear Comrades,

Season Greetings from All India Central Excise and Service Tax Ministerial Officers’ Association.

The Central Executive Committee meeting took place at Hyderabad on 10.01.2013 on the sidelines of General Body Meeting of Central Excise and Service Tax Ministerial Officers’ Association, Hyderabad Unit at Hyderabad Central Excise Office, Basheer bagh.

The meeting was chaired by the undersigned, attended by All India President Shri. Ashim Pramanik, Shri. Deepak Pal, Organizing Secretary, Shri. Gedam, Central Zone Secretary, and leaders from various zones/units like Bhubaneshwar, Tamil Nadu, Kolkatta, Andhra Pradesh, Nagpur, Indore and other places. Members from Hyderabad Commissionerate participated in large numbers. The Association expresses its sincere gratitude to our former Organizing Secretary Smt. Nageshwari, Shri. Ramakrishna A.O., Shri. Samdhani Khan, General Secretary and Shri. Susheel for organizing the meeting in a grand manner. 

From left to right  (Shri. Ramakrishna, AO, Shri. Sudharsan Secretary. General., Shri. Ashim Pramanik, President, Shri. Deepak Pal, Organizing Secy. Smt. Nageshwari, Former Organizing Secy.  Shri. Samdhani Khan, Genl. Secy. Hyderabad)

The Meeting Started at around 4.30 pm and lasted till 8 pm. Various queries relating to CAO Dpc, AO Promotion, AO/DOS Grade pay issue, Recruitment Rules to the grade of Inspector, Seniority Case at Supreme Court and other vital issues posted by the members were addressed by the President and the undersigned and assured that these issues are being given top priority by the federation for early solution.

The overwhelming response and huge participation of members from the Hyderabad Commissionerate and Vishakapattnam showed their patronage towards Association.

In the mean while, a meeting was convened by the Hon’ble Member (P&V) at New Delhi with Joint Action Committee leaders on 10.01.2013. This Association was unable to participate in the said meeting since our central executive committee meeting at Hyderabad was already fixed on the same day. This Association was informed by the leaders of the JAC that the outcome of the meeting with Hon’ble Member was fruitful. The issues raised by our All India Association relating to CAO DPC, AO Promotion, AO/DOS Grade pay issue, Recruitment Rules to the grade of Inspector, were once again raised during the said meeting. The Member (P&V) has assured that CAO DPC will be given top priority and efforts will be taken to convene the DPC before this month end. On DOS to AO promotion, the Member (P&V) has assured that the AO Recruitment Rules file was already sent to DoP&T and once the draft RR is approved by the DoP&T, necessary instructions will be given to the CCAs to convene DPC to the grade of Administrative Officers.

The Member (P&V) has also assured that the structure on par with CBDT with corresponding grade pays as demanded by our federation during our 6thNovember’2012 and 30th November’2012 meeting will be dealt in a new separate file and will be submitted to DoP&T at the earliest.

Comrades, you are all aware of the fact that the Seniority case in the Hon’ble Supreme Court is coming up for final hearing on 5th February 2013. Support from some of the zones (west/north) is not on the expected lines. Leaders in these zones are trying hard to impress upon our members by enumerating the benefits on positive outcome of the case, which we can enjoy right from last Cadre-restructure. I take this opportunity to solicit the support from our members / former members, leaders/former leaders throughout the country to come forward and put a strong movement to face the challenges ahead. My earnest appeal to all our members/leaders to support the federation in all possible ways, morally as well as monetarily, to ensure success in our legal battle.

Before concluding, I would like to mention a famous quote from Bhagvat Gita …

“If you do not fight for what you want, then do not cry for what you lost…”

Comrades let us give our best and leave the results to God Almighty.

Comradely yours

Sudharsan J

Secretary General

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Dear Comrades,

The All India Central Excise & Service Tax Ministerial Officers' Association wishes all its Members, Office-bearers, National / Zonal leaders, and National / Zonal leaders of all its Sister Federations / Associations and its Members functioning under C.B.E.C and to all the Officers working under C.B.E.C a Bright, Cheerful and Prosperous New Year 2013. 

Comradely Yours

Sudharsan J

Secretary General

Central Executive Committee Meeting at Hyderabad

Chennai, the 24th December, 2012

To,

All the National / Zonal Representatives

AICE&STMOA.

Dear Comrades,

Sub:- All India Central Executive Committee Meeting on 10.01.2013 at Hyderabad - Reg.

* * * *

The All India Central Executive Committee is scheduled to meet at Hyderabad on 10.01.2013 to discuss various vital issues.  The  National leaders / Zonal Leaders are requested to attend the meeting without fail.  Office-bearers  / Zonal leaders are requested to contact Smt. Nageshwari, former Organizing Secretary, 09441887010 for accommodation arrangements and venue details.

Comradely yours

Sudharsan J

Secretary General

 

 

Delhi visit on 29.11.12 & 30.11.12

SENIORITY CASE

Dear Comrades,

I had to schedule an urgent Delhi visit for the above two days mainly to engage/ brief our advocates for the Early Hearing Application (Seniority case) which was listed before the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India on 30.11.12. Shri.A.J.Stanley (Treasurer) had accompanied me from Chennai and Shri.Deepak Pal, Organizing Secretary and Shri. Hari Ohm Pandit, veteran leader, central zone joined with us from Indore. All of you may be aware that the Hon’ble High Court of Madras had given an excellent judgement in our favour in the seniority case on 13.04.2007. Implementation of the judgement at that stage would have done a world of good to the ministerial officers in the department. However, inspite of concurrent judgements in CAT, Madras Bench as well as High Court of Madras, an appeal was preferred by the Board at the Apex Court. The case was admitted as Civil Appeal and got numbered as 2491 of 2010. Since then, the case is pending in the Supreme Court. Going by the present number of pending cases, our case would have come up only after 2016-17. Therefore, Early Hearing Application was filed immediately during July'2010 in the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which was listed on 30.11.12. I am glad to inform that the Hon’ble Judges were pleased to allow the early hearing and posted the case for final hearing during February 2013.

The above case is a matter of life for thousands of ministerial officers who had lost almost a decade for a fault made by the Board during the previous restructure. It is imperative for us to come together at this stage and show the strength of unity. Our Association requires complete support of all the concerned members in every manner, particularly financially, so that we can focus only on the case without any hindrance. I hope my message has reached you clearly.

During the Delhi visit, I met Hon’ble Member (P&V) and the Hon’ble ADG (HRM) and senior Board officials with regard to our pending issues.

CAO DPC : It is learnt that the Board is yet to receive the required documents from various CCAs for conducting CAO DPC. The list will be published in our blog at the earliest. I request all the concerned unit Secretaries as well as the members to pay personal attention and ensure that the ACRs/documents/profoma reach the Board office (DGHRD) at the earliest. Once the large numbers of CAO vacancies are filled, it will have cascading effect resulting in promotions till TA/LDC grades.

AO DPC : The Association had again represented for issuing a clarification regarding AO DPC, so that the promotions are ordered in all the Zones. Hopefully, some action will be forthcoming on the part of the Board soon.

AO & DOS Grade Pay : Things are moving quite positively at the Board office as far as this issue is concerned. The matter requires continuous persuasion once the file reaches the other wings such as DoE/DOP&T, etc. , so that justice is done to the officers working in the grades of DOS & AO.

Amendment of Inspector RRs : A representation was submitted to the Board for protection of the existing employees in case of change in the qualifying service for promotion to the grade of Inspector. The Association’s idea was received positively by the senior Board officials and assured of necessary action in this regard.

I am personally happy that certain issues are moving in the positive direction and I am glad that the long pending seniority case is coming to an end soon. I am very sure that we will be able to present the case effectively in the Hon’ble Supreme Court and win the case. All I require is the support of the members and I am confident of getting the same.

Comradely Yours
Sudharsan J

Secretary General

JAC agitational programme

Dear Comrades,

Being the constituent member of the Joint Action Council, All India Central Excise & Service Tax Ministerial Officers' Association has decided to observe Lunch hour demonstration on 19th and 23rd of November 2012 after consulting with our All India Association leaders. 

Right from CAO to various lower grades in our ministerial cadre, promotions are not taking place.  Board itself is not taking the issue very seriously as the DPC for CAO promotion have not taken place for years, inspite of this Associations repeated representations and follow ups. Further, DPCs to the grade of AO is yet to take place in many Cadre Controlling Zones where the  CCAs are expecting a clarification from the Board, which is pending for quite some time.  

Though this Association has strongly objected to the proposed amendment of increase in the qualifying service in RRs for the post of Inspector, the Board is yet to take concrete action in this regard.

Similarly, many other issues raised by this Associations on various occasions are consistently neglected or due attention is not given by the Board.  

The constituent members of the JAC are also aggrieved by the inaction of the Board on the charter of the JAC demands.

Hence, it is imperative to participate in the protests called for by JAC and make it a success to draw the attention of the Board.

J. Sudharsan

Secretary General

Minutes of the Meeting with Member (P&V) on 06.11.12

Dear Comrades,

At the outset, on behalf of the All India Central Excise & Service Tax Ministerial Officers' Association, I wish all our office bearers, National/Zonal leaders, members, and the leaders/members of other sister Associations functioning under CBEC, A VERY HAPPY DIWALI. 

The office bearers of our All India Association including me and President Mr.Aashim Pramanick and leaders from some zones met at Delhi on 5th November 2012. The leaders met the ADG (HRM) at Rajendra Place, New Delhi around 3pm and discussed all the issues we have raised on several occasions. The meeting lasted for more than 1 hour and respected Ms.Renu Jagdev, ADG(HRM) was very responsive and kind enough to listen to all our genuine grievances raised during the meeting. 

On 6th November, our All India Association office bearers met the Hon’ble Member (P&V). She gave a patient hearing to all our issues. She assured that the DPC for promotion to the grade of CAO will be given top priority by DGHRD and the process will be completed at the earliest. Unfortunately the CCR reports and Service books of many AOs are yet to reach from many places. We have pointed out that the field formations were asked to send these before 1st of November 2012 and insisted that a remainder needs to be sent to expedite the issue. Going by the assurances of the officers, I am hopeful that the CAO promotions can be expected at an early date.

Regarding the proposed merger of DOS & STA, the Hon’ble Member (P&V) informed that due to strong protest from our Association the Board is not keen to go ahead with the proposal. During the last week of October a Board meeting had taken place and Member(P&V) has objected strongly not to merge these posts and has insisted that the department needs to maintain DOS and STA as separate entities. Based on our submissions/objections on this issue, the CBEC had taken up the matter before the Department of Expenditure more than once . However,the same was rejected by them. We have informed the Hon’ble Member (P&V) that the implementation of Hon'ble CAT, Kolkatta order on Grade Pay issue only will settle the issue. A detailed submission was prepared and submitted to DGHRD and the Hon’ble Member(P&V) on the above issue (Click to view).

Further, the Association raised the issue related to DPCs to the grade of Administrative Officer . We have informed the Hon’ble Member (P&V) that various zones, including the CCA, Delhi which is right under the nose of our board office had conducted regular DPCs for promotion to the grade of A.O. DPCs were also conducted in Kolkatta, Jaipur, Indore and many other places. However, unfortunately Chief Commissioners in many places are hesitant to conduct DPC against the board's letter dated 24.06.2012.  We pointed out these facts and also informed the Hon’ble Member (P&V) that the issue was wrongly interpreted as adhoc appointment instead of adhoc promotion against regular vacancies before DoPT. The Association insisted that the field formations may be informed suitably to conduct the DPC at the earliest atleast on adhoc basis as it was done right from 2008 onwards. We requested that the issue related to regularization of Adhoc AOs may also be taken up with DoPT in appropriate manner and make amendments in the A.O. Recruitment Rules as suggested by the Association may be incorporated to solve the problem. (Click to view).

Regarding the amendment in the Recruitment Rules for the post of Inspector, this association was informed that the file was already sent to DoPT for finalization. The qualifying service for promotion to the grade of  Inspector will be 5 years for STA or 15 years of  combined service of TA and STA (together). Our Association determinedly objected to the amendment and demanded that suitable clauses may be incorporated to count the past service of ministerial officers as available in the existing RR. The ADG (HRM) and the Member (P&V) were provided with the DoPT guidelines in which it is clearly mentioned that the past service needs to be included. Our Association was assured by the ADG (HRM) if the RR file comes back from the DoPT necessary action will be taken to include suitable clauses to count the past service rendered by the Ministerial cadre. We have taken up this issue with DoPT and  letters in this regard were submitted to Shri. Narayanasamy, Hon'ble Minister of State, DoPT,  the Secretary DoPT and the Joint Secretary, DoPT. The office bearers met the under secretary Shri. R.R. Singh, DoPT and apprised the issue in detail. (Click to view ).

During the course of meeting the Association also raised the issue of non-implementation of the Hon'ble Andhra Pradesh High Court's order in some of the CCAs and demanded that a compliance report be obtained from the field formations immediately to ensure that the Court’s order is implemented throughout the CBEC. 

The issue related to stalled DPCs in Central Zone was taken up before the Hon'ble Member and informed that due to wrong interpretation of Hon'ble Jabalpur Bench order, the Chief Commissioner, Nagpur Zone is not conducting the DPC to the grade of TA to STA and insisted that necessary instructions be issued to conduct the DPC at the earliest.

On the Seniority case issue our Association has requested the Hon’ble Member to give necessary instructions to file an early hearing petition before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and settle the pending issue before the ensuing cadre-restructure. A submission was made in this regard (Click to view)

And finally, regarding Cadre-restructure, the ADG(HRM) has explained that the DoP&T has informed that it will take a decision only after finalizing the CBDT cadre-restructuring file. We were also informed that the DoPT has asked not to include any pay related issues in cadre-restructure. Here the ADG(HRM), has assured that a separate file will be initiated and sent to DoP&T regarding the four tier structure as we demanded vide our earlier representations. We were also asked to submit a fresh representations based on which a new file will be initiated and sent to DoP&T concurrence. 

Our Association is making all efforts unitedly, as a team, to settle the issues at the earliest. Hopefully, the results will follow soon.

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY DIWALI.

Regards

Sudharsan J

Secretary General.