JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE- NOTICE OF AGITATION

Pune, the 13th February, 2012

Dear members,

On behalf of all the Administrative Officers & Deputy Office Superintendents of our cadre, this Association has all along been taking up the cause of their pay parity issues with the Board and other concerned Departments with nothing much to gain.
 

In the preliminary discussions with the Board officials, the Association was given to understand that any issue relating to pay matters would not form a part of the Cadre Restructuring proposal.  All the Executive Office bearers of our Association had from day one insisted for a four tier Ministerial hierarchy which would be in consonance to the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and considering the fact that the Department i.e. CBEC has embarked upon Cadre Restructuring, in the overall interest of the cadre, this Association had submitted a self explanatory proposal to the Board to consider creation of posts in the Ministerial hierarchy.   

However, nothing positive has come up even though several other Central Government Departments like Income Tax, Indian Meteorological Department, Department of Atomic Energy, Geological Survey of India etc., have upgraded the post of existing posts of Administrative Officers thereby granting justice to their Ministerial officers.  Non-upgradation of the existing posts of Administrative Officers and Deputy Office Superintendents in CBEC would mean that these cadres would stand to loose permanently in future and Ministerial Officers will not be able to claim parity with their counterparts if silence is still maintained on this front.

Equally annoying is the fact that the date for DPC for promotion to the grade of Chief Accounts Officer has not yet been fixed by UPSC.   It is time and again being informed that discrepancies are being pointed out by UPSC and the Board is communicating in turn to the various field formations seeking reports and compliances, which have not yet been complied with fully.  Ironical is the situation, for information needs to be sent by members of our cadre and incase Inspectors/ Superintendents are manning the Confidential /Vigilance sections of the respective Commissionerates, the Ministerial officers sensitive to the issue can follow up issues locally and get the needful done.  Hon'ble Member(P&V) has assured that the said issue shall be put to rest soon.  

Other vital issue which is of concern to the cadre is related to the ad-hoc promotions being granted to Administrative Officers and their names not being included in the seniority list of Administrative Officers.  This issue was discussed at length with the Hon'ble Member(P&V) who has assured that the Board's instruction shall be superceded with fresh instructions, thereby facilitating regular promotions to the grade of Administrative Officers resulting in their names being included in the seniority list.

Filing and follow up of Early Hearing Petition in the Hon'ble Supreme Court on seniority cases and implementation of Hon'ble Andhra Pradesh High Court judgment too were in the agenda for discussion.  The nature of duties with regard to all posts in the Ministerial cadre was also discussed at length.  

The corridors of North Block was full of rumors that the Cadre Restructuring of CBEC has gone through.  None of the Staff Associations were being informed of the queries raised by DOP&T, nor was there any amount of transparency in the entire matter.  Aggrieved with such developments, all the Associations i.e. Inspector/ Ministerial/ Group 'C' Central Excise and Customs assembled together, deliberated upon the issues of concern with regard to their respective cadres and finally resolved to issue a Notice of Agitation to all concerned authorities seeking timely action on the earlier common submissions made on 25.01.2011 by the Joint Action Committee. A copy of the resolution passed in the JAC and the programme of action decided, alongwith the notices served can be accessed by clicking here.

The respective zonal units are requested to serve a copy of the notice of agitation to the respective cadre controlling Chief Commissioners and endorse a copy of the same to the undersigned for information.Through this message, the Association solicits 100% support from each and every member of the Ministerial cadre without which support the pending demands shall never be met with.  Its my personal experience that Ministerial officers in the grade of Administrative Officers and Deputy Office Superintendents seldom support such an agitational move as they treat themselves to be the administrators, but in the instant situation, if the support is not 100% then the All India Association will not take any blame in the ruining of the Ministerial Cadre, which is likely to take place in the given situation and format we are placed in. The least Administrative Officers can do is to provide the DDO certificates to the Association to furnish the same in the Board for renewal of recognition prior to 28.02.2012.

Hoping to receive cent percent support to the call given by the Joint Action Committee and expecting that the Ministerial Cadre is able to hold its hierarchical structure with pride and due importance, I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Thomas Mony

Secretary General

CADRE RESTRUCTURING IN CBEC

Date:- 12.11.2010

Dear members in Service,

Being concerned about the career prospects of numerous members of respective Associations, responsible leaders came together to form a Joint Action Committee, because of the bitter experience had during the previous Cadre Restructuring and with a view to bring in transparency in the ongoing Cadre Restructuring, sought for details of the present proposal which finally has been given to all the Associations on the 11th of November, 2010.

2. While the basic intention of forming the Joint Action Committee was to get a feel of the entire proposal, now that the details of proposal has reached the responsible leaders, the onus is now upon the elected/nominated leaders of respective Associations to ensure that the pros and cons of the entire proposal is looked into and discussions held in closed door meetings and finally frame suggestions/proposals related to respective cadres which would be beneficial to the entire Department at large.

3. Gist of the present proposal would surely be made available on this blog within some time. However, it is sincerely hoped that all members work unitedly in the overall interest of respective cadres without causing any harm to the career prospects of the feeder cadres, and more so, as a responsible leader representing the Joint Action Committee, I am of the firm opinion that issues identified to be seriously affecting members of respective Associations may be highlighted, and a consolidated proposal be tabled to the CBEC by the Joint Action Committee, (on behalf of all Associations) during the week commencing on 22nd November, 2010 thereby maintaining absolute transparency and by resorting to this methodology, the concerns & legitimate aspirations of all cadres are taken due care of, with minimal loss of time.

4. Needless to mention, it would surely be our endeavour to ensure that the bitter experiences of the previous Cadre Restructuring, is not repeated, and the sincere services of those officers who have dedicated ample years to the Department does not go unrecognized.

5. Expecting similar co-operation and support from one and all for years to come and anticipating that the present format of Cadre Restructuring Proposal is actively reconsidered by our Board after giving due consideration to the legitimate aspirations of the various Group ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ which has been totally ignored in certain areas and assuring that the reconsidered proposal is actively pursued by all the Cadres for getting nod of respective Departments, I remain,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(THOMAS MONY)

SECRETARY GENERAL

The Cadre Review proposal is available on the following link.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1EcYYJmjAiBZDBmNDc4MWMtNThlMi00YjA3LWEyNjctOWRjYzRlY2IyYjJh&hl=en&authkey=CJDls8ID



RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE

Pune, the 2nd November, 2010

Dear members of the Ministerial Community,

         It is with deep regret that the undersigned wishes to place on the blog the recent developments that are taking place as regards the Cadre Restructuring of Central Excise & Customs Department is concerned.

         The sorry state of affairs have been very much evident during the previous Cadre Restructuring and though most of the conflicting issues are yet to attain finality, Recruitment Rules for the grades of Assistant Programmer, Programmer etc., are to be framed and notified even after nine years i.e. from 19.07.2001 the Board has embarked upon a massive restructuring proposal which is being kept confidential obviously meaning that the same is being done only to espouse the requirments of a particular cadre at large.

         While this Association, being a recognized body,has tried its level best to seek appointments as well as the form of proposed Cadre Restructuring, till date no positive steps have been initiated by the Board to involve the various Associations in the Cadre Restructuring process, thereby avoiding transparency in its functioning.

         An attempt to form a JAC did take shape, and owing to some reasons the undersigned could not make it to the JAC meeting held in Kolkatta on 31.10.2010. However, our Cadre was duly represented by our President Shri.Aasim Pramanik, who has been in constant touch with the undersigned both prior to and during the course of the meeting. The JAC has in its meeting dated 31.10.2010 passed a resolution which is being placed on the blog for kind information. Needless to mention, these are some of the issues which have been thought over and finalized by the office bearers of various Associations during their interaction in the JAC meeting.

         All the Office bearers of All India Association alongwith Unit representatives are required to be proactive to the need of the hour and ensure that the views/decisions placed on the blog is given wide exposure so as to ensure that the common members are kept updated with the latest developments.

        It is also felt that a meeting of all the Office bearers is considered necessary, for which an appropriate time and date shall be communicated in due course.

       Opinions/views on Cadre Restructuring as well as the aspirations of officers from the Ministerial Community needs to be shared with the All India Association at the earliest.

       While I personally opine that this is the right time to demonstrate unity, Associations irrespective of its recognition status need to come together, and impress upon the Board the need to maintain transparency in formulation of Cadre Restructuring Proposal by not restricting it to a particular Cadre but by taking into consideration the legitimate aspirations of each and every cadre. Last but not the least, the Board needs to be reminded of the positive attempts being put in by the Hon'ble Finance Minister in directing all concerned to reduce/avoid litigations on service matters by giving due cognizance to the aspirations of every cadres, thereby ensuring that the proposed Cadre Restructuring is free of litigations.

      Looking forward for your constant support, I remain,

Yours Sincerely,

Sd/-

THOMAS MONY,

SECRETARY GENERAL,

AICESTMOA, PUNE

Kolkatta, the 31st October, 2010.

RESOLUTION

In the backdrop of the ongoing restructuring of the Cadres in CBEC , a joint meeting of the following Organisations/Federations held in Kolkata on 31.10.10 adopted the following Resolutions:

The Federations were present in the meeting:

1. All India Customs & Central Excise Group “D” Officers’ Federation.

2. All India Customs Group “D” Officers’ Federation.

3. All India Customs Ministerial Employees Federation.

4. All India Central Excise & Service Tax Ministerial Officers’ Association.

5. All India Central Excise Inspectors’ Association.

6. All India Customs Preventive Service Federation.

DEMANDS:-

1. Finalisation of the proposals of on going restructuring of cadres only after proper consultation (to be minuted) with respective Federations regard to cadre specific demand collectively and separately with cadre Associations/Federations.

2. A committee may be constituted with the representatives from the each Recognised Federations/ Associations and the officials from the CBEC to finalise the ensuing Restructuring of the Cadre of CBEC as done in CBDT (copy enclosed).

3. No reduction/abolition of posts in any of the grade belonging to Group ‘D’, Group’C’ & Group ‘B’ (Gazetted & Non-Gazetted).

4. Ensure atleast three promotions in the service life across the cadre.

5. One time relaxation for regularization of the daily wagers/casual labours through the on going cadre restructuring.

6. The vacancies that would crop up out of the cadre restructuring exercise should be first filled up by giving appointment to all the pending Compassionate cases as one time measure, disregarding the cap of 5 % of the Direct Recruit vacancies as provided in the relevant instructions.

7. Prompt and adequate consideration and redressal of the proposals submitted by the respective Federations/Associations in respect of ongoing restructuring of cadres of the CBEC.

8. Redefining of roles of employees in keeping with the procedural changes and deployment in an appropriate manner to all categories of Officers after proper training.

9. Restructuring of the cadres in consonance with the recommendation of the 6th CPC in chapter 3.1.

The meeting decided to go on an agitative programme of Mass Dharna in New Delhi on 24th & 25th November 2010 jointly if the above demands are not settled immediately.

Sd/-
V.J.Gaikwad, President,
AICCE Gr. “D’ Officers’ Federation

Sd/-
B.D.Surve, President,
All India Customs Gr. ‘D’    Officers’ Federation

Sd/-
S.Natarajan, President,
All India Customs Ministerial Employees’ Federation

Sd/-
Arun Zachariah.P, President,
AICE Inspector Assn

Sd/-
Ashim Pramanick, President,
AlCEST Min. Officers Assn

FORMATION OF JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE

New Delhi, the 21st September, 2010

FLASH NEWS

As you all might be aware, that our Secretary General participated in the meeting of the Leaders of the following associations which was held in New Delhi to discuss the proposal of forming a Joint Action Committee.

1. All India Central Excise Inspectors' Association led by
Comrade. Shri. Koushik Roy

2. All India Customs Ministerial Officers' Association

3. All India Central Excise Group 'D' Officers' Association

4. All India Customs Group 'D' Officer's Association

It is reported that all the leaders have agreed to form the Joint Action Committee in the meeting held today and jointly take up the issues pertaining to all these cadres before the appropriate authorities on Cadre Review Proposal. Further the Joint Action Committee has also submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister, Secretary (Expenditure) and Secretary (DOPT) regarding the grievances relating to Cadre Restructuring. This is a laudable achievement, which is the outcome of the continuous efforts of the leaders of the respective Associations, to come together and form a common platform, which will fight for the WELFARE OF ALL THE CADRES. Here is this Association wishing the JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE - "ALL THE BEST".

Further Details are awaited.

AICESTMOA

An article published on Tax India Online is reproduced hereunder for the information of the members..

SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

By TIOL News Service

RESTRUCTURING is globally seen as a positive overture to the changing environment for both business and governance. The Union Government has been trying hard to 'redesign and repackage' both the direct as well as indirect tax laws. Although it has achieved only partial success so far but the preparations for restructuring of cadres for tax administration are on the right track. If one goes by five-year norm or the 6th Pay Commission recommendations, it may look hugely delayed but it has been moving rapidly. If we go by the statements of the Finance Minister at various public fora, the cadre review of various services of both the Revenue Boards is likely to be through with the first two stages of approval - the Finance Ministry and the DoP&T. It may be guesstimated that the proposals should be reaching the Cabinet sometime in December for final approval. And, interestingly, the expenditure implication for both the proposals is going to be only in the range of Rs 2000 Crore per annum.

Here are the highlights of the proposals for both the Revenue Boards:

++ CBEC has proposed a jump in the total number of personnel from 66808 to 95168 after surrendering about 6906 posts; CBDT has asked for about 38000 additional posts;

++ CBEC has gone back to the Principal Chief Commissioner system. It has proposed 18 posts of Principal Chief Commissioners - nine zonal heads for NINE proposed zones plus nine Directorates are to be upgraded to be headed by Principal Chief Commissioners. Besides, 77 more posts of Chief Commissioners are proposed to be created. For the CBDT, an additional 116 posts of CCITs have been proposed. Out of these, 40 posts are demanded to be upgraded to the level of highest pay bracket i.e. Rs 80,000/-.

++ At the Commissioner level, the CBEC has proposed a graded rank - Commissioner, Grade I and Commissioner, Grade II. For the former category, the proposal is to create 100 new posts and the latter to have 363 posts, including 295 existing ones. CBDT has gone by the operational index theory and has proposed higher status for administrative CIT in comparison to CIT(A). The number of administrative CITs for assessment charges is proposed to be increased by 250.

++ At the Addl / JC-level, the CBEC has proposed a sharp leapfrogging from 593 posts to 1550 posts. The CBDT has also proposed an increase commensurate with the rationale devised for the restructuring.

++ The CBEC has proposed a Hanuman-jump at the cutting-edge level by proposing an increase from 1550 posts AC/DCs to 4900 posts. This is to take care of stagnation in the various feeder cadres.

++ The CBDT has proposed creation of 20,000 additional posts at the ITO-level;

++ The number of Commissionerates will jump from existing 93 Central Excise Commissionerates and 7 Service Tax Commissionerates to 119 Central Excise Commissionerates and 22 exclusive Service Tax Commissionerates;

++ For the Customs, it will be up from 35 to 60 Commissionerates

++ In addition, 45 new Audit Commissionerates have been proposed by the CBEC;

++ Directorate of Safeguard and Directorate of Export Promotion are proposed to be merged;

++ Directorate General of Service Tax is proposed to be shifted to Delhi;

++ A new Directorate of International Customs is proposed to be created to deal with WCO, WTO and WIPO.

Criteria adopted by Revenue Boards

++ Revenue Norms: Rs. 1750 Crore Central Excise Annual Revenue {(PLA + CENVAT) - Each Commissionerate of Central Excise shall have 5 Divisions and 25 Ranges. The Commissionerates located in an area, which is not covered by an exclusive Service Tax Commissionerate, would be given manpower equivalent to the staff allocated to one Division exclusively for Service Tax. Commissionerates having Oil Refinery within their jurisdiction would be provided additional staff equivalent to one Range for One Refinery;

++ For a Service Tax Commissionerate, Rs 3000 Cr annual revenue or more than 17500 assessees has been taken as a benchmark. Each Commissionerate of Service Tax shall have 5 Divisions and 25 Ranges.

++ For a new Customs Commissionerate, the benchmarks adopted are 125000 Bills of Entry for Customs (Imports) and 200000 Shipping Bills for Export Commissionerate. 150000 BEs & SBs for integrated Customs Commissionerate.

These are broadly the major proposals of the CBEC and CBDT cadre reviews and restructuring of various Commissionerates and Directorates. Less information has been provided for CBDT proposals as the CBDT continues to look confused and also secretive about some of its proposals. The Directorate of HRD which is being saddled with multifarious roles and powers, needs quality personnel if CBDT wants it to play an active role in overall designing of the roadmap for the Department.

TIOL would like to comment more on these proposals which the entire approach is about right-sizing the Department or to simply grab as many posts as possible and then fight over the lesser number of attractive turfs. At present these proposals are being scrutinised at various stages and let's hope they are put in the top gear to quick approval of the Cabinet.

Source:- http://www.taxindiaonline.com/RC2/inside2.php3?filename=bnews_detail.php3&newsid=11401

AN APPEAL FOR JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE

ALL INDIA CENTRAL EXCISE & SERVICE TAX MINISTERIAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

Pune, 22.07.2010

Dear friends in Service,

It's indeed a privilege for me to be heading a recognized service organization, the prime objective of which is to work for the upliftment and career prospect of its members and to meet their legitimate demands. Being my first communication, I wish to keep all the e-mail id holders, list of which I was having in my inbox, regarding the negative impact of the previous Cadre Restructuring that was witnessed in the various Group 'B', 'C' and 'D' cadres by one and all.

It is indeed a matter of great concern for the stagnating Group 'B', 'C' and 'D' cadres, who were seldom consulted during the previous Cadre Restructuring and even if consulted, they have tasted the carrot and stick policy of the Board with nothing much falling in their kitty. However, there has been a show of unity with the formation of the Joint Action Committee, consequent upon which there has been some visible change in the attitude and mindset of the concerned authorities.

Further, the minimal transparency shown during the previous Cadre Restructuring is rather missing with various Associations being asked to submit the legitimate aspirations of its members whereas there is no indication whatsoever of what is likely to be the shape of the present Cadre Restructuring. Moreover, it is given to understand that the various submissions put forth to DG, HRD by the respective Association Heads has not been accepted by the Board, thereby giving an indication that once again its a Group 'A' Cadre Restructuring.

With the introduction of GST in the near future, and the manner in which the Present Cadre Restructuring is taking shape, I wish to put forth a proposal to all the Association leaders, irrespective of their cadre/recognition etc., to come ahead and assemble in New Delhi to revive the Joint Action Committee in the interest of the members on a mutually convenient date and time. It would surely be a matter of great appreciation incase the recognised Associations take the lead, supported by the other counterparts, thereby initiating a movement that could facilitate transparency in the proposal being formulated and finalized by the Board. Also, from my end I wish to assure all the leaders concerned that I am willing to make my presence in Delhi for the said cause, unconditionally.

Hoping to see the proposal yield results in the form of revival of Joint Action Committee and anticipating that the legitimate aspirations of our members are met with, I remain.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Thomas Mony,

Secretary General.