UPDATES ON DELHI VISIT

Dear Comrades

          Myself accompanied by leaders from Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata undertook a visit to Delhi from 15.07.2014 to 17.07.2014 to take stock and pursue various burning issues.  We were ably assisted by Shri J Sudharshan, Secretary General who provided us various inputs and documents to Delhi as he could not turn up owing to unavoidable reasons. During our stay we had separate meetings with Chairperson, Member (P&V), DG (HRD) & concerned Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary.  The outcome of the meetings and the state of various issues are briefed as under:-

Cadre Restructuring:   

We all know that the proposal for Cadre Restructuring and creation of additional posts have been approved by the Cabinet on 05.12.2013.  We also know that the former Finance Minister, just before quitting office, has also okayed the proposal of CBEC on various actions to be taken on implementation of such approved Cadre Restructuring proposals.  The Geographical jurisdiction of the newly created Commissionerates of various zones vis-à-vis the no. of zones and the allocation of posts to each zones, have also been finalized.  We also learnt that the former Finance Minister has himself given specific direction and advised to ensure that all potential hindrances in the process of implementation of Cadre Restructuring proposal are taken care of.

DG (HRD) has finalized all the papers to be circulated to the zones sometimes back which has also been approved by the Chairperson, CBEC.  This was sent to Ad.IV Section of CBEC for vetting compilation and circulation.  It is understood that the work is also complete there.  However Board has decided to bring the Cadre Restructuring proposal to the notice of the Hon’ble Ministers of the present Government before circulation.  It is expected that this process will also be over shortly, paving way for circulation of all necessary instructions to the zones.  It is also expected that the date of creation of newly re-organized Commissionerates would be fixed at the time of circulation of instructions.

Promotion to Chief Accounts Officer (CAO):    

The Chairperson, CBEC during the meeting on 16.07.2014 has given direction that the proposal for DPC for the years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 be sent to UPSC by 21.07.2014.  It is learnt that the proposal is being sent to UPSC on 22.07.2014.  However, there is still some minor deficiency which is wanting from a few zones.  The date of the DPC will be fixed only after receipt of such information.  The leaders of this Association are constantly pursuing to obtain such information/documents.

DG(HRD) has also initiated the work of preparation of a Seniority List of CAO. They have sought information from the zones vide letter F.No.8/B/112/HRD (HRDM)/2014 dated 8^th July 2014. I request all the zones to send the required reports.

Promotion to Inspector and age restriction:   

While it has been assured that age restriction would be removed in the new Recruitment Rule, there is some confusion in some zones while implementing the judgement dated 17.03.2010 of Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh bench which provides that as per Note:2 of the existing Recruitment Rule of Inspector officers who have appeared departmental examination within 50 years, can be promoted to Inspector even beyond the age of 50 years.  

However, the Board vide its letter under F.No. A. 32022/08/2009-Ad.III.A dated 18.07.2012, withdrew its earlier directions and thereby, re-imposed the upper age limit of 50 years.   Some Officers availed such benefit for a limited period, whereas the others remained deprived.   After this association made a repeated request the Board has informed that the      removal of age relaxation is under active consideration (click here to view) and it is will be finalized as and when the Recruitment Rules of Inspector is amended.  However we have pointed out that certain zones are considering the age relaxation thus by allowing people who have crossed 50 years for promotion but in certain zones they are not being considered.  

This association has requested to maintain an uniformity to ensure its implementation in non-implementing zones pending framing of new Recruitment Rule.  It has been decided in our meeting with the Chairperson, CBEC on 16.07.2014 in presence of Member (P&V), DG(HRD) & JS(Admin.) that the issue will be further looked into.

Recruitment Rule:        

We have once again requested to incorporate the “Saving provision” (as per DoPT’s guidelines for framing/ amendment/ relaxation of Recruitment Rule dated 25.03.1996) in the new Recruitment Rules so that the existing length of eligible service remains applicable for promotion of the existing TAs/STAs.  This will curtail the negative impact on promotional prospect if the length of eligible service is enhanced in the new Recruitment Rules.  We also took up the anomalies in the newly circulated TA Recruitment Rule (Click here to get the submission dated 16.07.14).

It was also requested to fill up all the vacancies, resulting out of the process of Cadre Restructuring, on the basis of the existing Recruitment Rule, without waiting for the new Recruitment Rule.  It was also impressed upon that relaxation will be required in the RR to fill up the vacancies, in keeping with the objective of the Cadre Restructuring (Click here to get the submission dated 16.07.14).

        

This Association is grateful to Chairperson, CBEC for convening  a meaningful meeting in the presence of Member(P&V), DG(HRD), ADG(HRM), JS(Admin.), DS (Ad.IIIA) and US (Ad.IIA) on 16.07.2014.  This has provided us to understand the present state of various issues and ventilate our point of views and demands.  The decisions were taken during the meeting itself.  Separate meeting with Member(P&V) & DG(HRD) were also fruitful.

Comradely yours

-sd-

(ASHIM PRAMANICK)

President

CAO DPC

Dear Comrades,

       We are still struggling to get CAO DPC finalized.  Certain information is still pending from the following zones:-

Central Excise,  Mumbai-I &  Mumbai-II Zone                                        -              for 16 Officers

Central Excise,  Bangalore Zone                                                            -              for 05 Officers

Central Excise, Customs & Service Tax,  

Hyderabad Zone                     

                    -              for 05 Officers

Central Excise & Customs, Lucknow Zone                                            -              for 07 Officers

Central Excise & Customs, Vadodara Zone                                           -              for 02 Officers

   

   Customs & Central Excise, Directorate of Public & 

   Public Relations            

                          -              for 02 Officers

Member (P&V) has written a DO letter to concerned Chief Commissioner’s to send the desired reports by 27^th May, 2014.  

I request the leaders of the concerned zones and the central office bearers to take initiatives and pursue with the concerned zonal administrations, so that the reports are sent in time.  It is sad to note that the leaders of some of those very zones regularly pursue with us whereas the reports are pending from their zones themselves.  

Kindly do the needful so that at least the officers retiring in the month of June, 2014 can get their long-over-due promotion before retirement.  

As regards to Cadre Restructuring, we share anxiety of many of our members the order on allocation of posts and the related notification on newly curved out Commissionerates are yet to be issued.  

It is understood that the related files are now being vetted at the highest level in the Board’s office. 

Comradely yours

    Sudharsan J                                 Ashim Pramanik

Secretary General                               President

Dear friends,

As you are aware that your association always remains alert and alive to the development those concern us and our future.  We were given to understand that Shri Rajiv Takru, IAS, Secretary (Revenue), on assumption of charges of Department of Revenue, during April, 2014 has been showing keen interest in the problems and demands of different Cadre Associations in CBEC.  Accordingly, we sought an appointment with Secretary (Revenue) and got it on 5th May, 2014.

The undersigned along with Comrades of Delhi and Kolkata attended the meeting at the scheduled date and time.  While it was conveyed that we were not particularly keen only to halt this present Cadre Restructuring but we had some genuine grievances which had not been addressed during the present Cadre Restructuring.  We submitted a resentation which will speak for itself ( click here for the submission).

Secretary (Revenue), was very kind to give a patient hearing to our problems and wanted to know the full details and background of our issues.  The meeting lasted for more than half an hour.  He assured to look into our demands by obtaining feedback from the Board.

Before, the meeting with Secretary (Revenue), we also met the Chairperson, CBEC in her chamber where Member (P&V) and DGHRD were present.  We explained our position and apprised the issues to be taken up with Secretary (Revenue).

Member (P&V) also took a separate meeting on 6th May, 2014 where we further explained the problems of DOS, getting merged with STA in the Cadre Restructuring.  We also pointed out the fact that the Board needs to come out with a specific stand when it comes to implementation of Chandigarh judgement on the question of applicability of upper age limit on promotion to Inspector. 

We made it amply clear that our basic demand of re-organization of administrative wing on the lines of CBDT, is not to be compromised and we will continue to agitate in different forum till it is achieved.

We also pursued issue relating to promotion to Chief Accounts Officer (CAO).  As of now, pendency of some information is there for about 50 officers among the list of 345 officers.  Member (P&V) has assured that she would personally pursue with the concerned Chief Commissioners to set right the discrepancies.  The objective is to send the complete proposal to UPSC by 1st week of June, 2014.

Thanking you,

Comradely yours,

Sd/-

                                                                    (Ashim Pramanick)

                                                                               President

Cadre restructure

Dear comrades,

It is informed that the cadre restructure file was finally signed by our Finance Minister.

Regards
SUDHARSAN J
Secy General. 

Meeting with Revenue Secretary

Dear Comrades

This Association had sought an appointment with the Revenue Secretary to discuss important issues relating to ministerial cadres prior to implementation of cadre restructuring.  The Hon'ble Revenue Secretary is kind enough to give this Association an appointment on 05.05.2014 at 11.00 AM.  

I request the regional office bearers/ zonal leaders who wanted to put forth their suggestions pertaining to the Ministerial cadre may send to the All India Association office bearers who are likely to meet the Revenue Secretary may at New Delhi for discussion.

Details of the meeting will be updated.

Regards

J.Sudharsan

Secy.General