REPORT OF THE ALL INDIA BODY TO THE 11TH CONVENTION & GENERAL BODY
MEETING BEING HELD AT
DAMAN ON 01.11.14 TO 02.11.14
Dear friends,
I
feel honoured and take great pleasure in extending warm welcome to all of you
who have come to this important gathering on the occasion of our 11th
Convention and General Body Meeting to give us support and encouragement in our
efforts in improving the prospects of all the Central Excise Gazetted Executive
Officers posted throughout India. The report of the activities of our
Association is being placed before you by me in my capacity as Secretary General.
I am confident that you will go through the report critically and approve the
same with your valuable observations so as to enable the future leadership of
our Association to chalk out suitable action-plans and carry out activities
accordingly for realizing the aspirations of our Officers posted throughout
India.
2. I also congratulate and thank our Daman-Vapi
Unit on behalf of the All India Association of Central Excise Gazetted
Executive Officers for this excellently pleasing & beautiful arrangement.
Very hopefully, this meeting would further strengthen our solidarity and unity
giving all of us one more opportunity to interact with each other and give
constructive suggestions in the common interest of the cadre. No need to say
that our united efforts are the only key to our success.
3.
Despite of the fact that everything and every action of the All India Body have
already been communicated through the electronic mails & blogspot (Cengo
India) of the Association, I have the privilege to submit
this brief report on behalf of the All India Association of Central Excise
Gazetted Executive Officers under the forthcoming paragraphs. This Report is nothing but a report on behalf of the
Committee and all members of the Association regarding collective efforts made
by them in the common interest of the cadre. It has, therefore, been termed as
the report of the existing body instead of the Secretary General's report.
4. An
Association can never function properly, if there is not a proper rapport and
tuning among all the office bearers & members including President and Secretary
General. All of them gave their full support to the Association and cooperated
in each and every matter. Whatever happened during the tenure of the existing
body, it was never possible without the cooperation, contribution &
commitment of all of them. I am personally thankful to all of them for their
roles in the common interest of the cadre.
5. It's now time for a new Central Committee to take charge of the
AIACEGEO. Our ensuing Convention will elect a new Committee. We
trust our Units will exercise their franchise astutely with foresight
showing good judgment to elect new Committee. It has been a great
privilege to champion the causes of cadre since July, 2012 when we were elected
at the Jaipur Convention. It is the result of the relentless efforts of the
present Committee that more than 3100 Group-A posts have been approved in
CR-2013 of CBEC. The present Committee has left no stone unturned for the
purpose of eliminating the disparities in promotions with the
intraorganisational, intradepartmental as well as interdepartmental counterparts.
6. An OA was filed in the Principal Bench of CAT by the Association
challenging the discriminating Group ‘A’ RRs and maintaining parity in
promotions among three base categories (Inspector, PO & Examiner)
of Inspectors. In AEC meeting held at Patna, it was raised by
some units to solve the intra-Central Excise regional disparities in promotions
retrospectively either in accordance with the judgement of Hon’ble Apex Court
in the case of Radheshyam Singh vrs. Union of India or applying the principle
of combined length of service (Inspector and Superintendent) for promotion to
the grade of Asst. Commissioner. A committee was constituted comprising all
Vice Presidents and Joint Secretaries of our Association but the committee is
yet to submit its report. The issue of the promotion to the post of Asstt.
Commissioner on the basis of combined length of service as
Inspector+Superintendent was also raised by the Association in 2010 in r/o
seeking parity with Examiners but the same was disapproved by the Board in 2011
finding it legally untenable on account of having different cadre controlling
authorities at base cadre level. Instead of it, in-situ promotions scheme was
agreed by them independent of cadre restructuring but the same was
unfortunately kept in abeyance on the pretext of opposition from within us.
This issue of base cadre seniority was also discussed with the Revenue
Secretary but he was also not agreed to it saying that it is not possible even in
the case of elite service of IAS on account of having different state cadres
having different promotional avenues. This issue is also under consideration of
RR committee of HRD and stagnation committee of B. B. Agrawal, the outcome of
which is awaited. However, these disparities will automatically be removed if
we are able to get parity with any of the category of our counterparts, i.e.,
intraorganisational, intradepartmental or interdepartmental.
7. In accordance of Fundamental
Rules, Inspector is not an all India cadre. If all the cadre controlling
authorities are merged into one, only then all India seniority list in the
grade of Inspectors can be maintained with prospective effect. We consulted prominent
lawyers on the issue. As per the legal advice, OA was filed in the CAT to
maintain parity in promotions with the common entry intraorganisational
counterparts on the basis of basic concept of parity as granted by our
Constitution. By this case, both intra-cadre and inter-cadre disparities may be
removed. The issue of stagnation and parity/disparity dominated our agenda
throughout the tenure. There is hardly a door which we haven't knocked in
pursuit of solutions to this chronic and extremely vexing problem. We have not
only submitted representations but also personally approached the Cabinet
Secretary (the head of the CR Committee) for removal of stagnation problem
permanently. He was kind-enough to recommend to the Cabinet about bringing of
some scheme independent of cadre restructuring to remove stagnation of our
officers. The Cabinet also approved his recommendations and as a result as per
the directions of the Cabinet Secretary, the Stagnation Committee has been
constituted under headship of Sh. B. B. Agrawal.
8. We have submitted our memorandum to Stagnation Committee raising every
issue including intra-organisational, intra-departmental, inter-departmental
and intra-Central Excise disparities. We have also appeared before this
Committee to submit oral evidences on 31.07.14 and 09.11.14. As per the request
of the Committee, we have also submitted one additional memorandum describing
the required model executive manpower for the entire department as well as
taking other measures for our officers independent of cadre restructuring. Our
main demand before this committee is to remove intra-organisational,
intra-departmental, inter-departmental and intra-Central Excise disparities by
granting us parity with our best placed counterparts taking organisation
specific measures whether by functional promotions or in-situ promotions
through flexible promotional/dynamic assured career progression scheme or
non-functional upgradation with a provision of batch-wise upgradation based on
the precedent of Organised Group-A Services or creation of a separate service
with additional posts. However, lack of organisational spirit by a few of our
units in approaching and meeting the Board officials directly and communicating
divergent demands has put the overall credibility of our Association a bit
in question with possibility of diluting the influence mustered through
protracted and massive efforts giving the tool of “divide & rule” in the
hands of the administration. Recently, a few of our Units also met the
Stagnation Committee diluting actual cause. We need to be far more
responsible in fulfilling our responsibilities and obligations towards the
organisation. Similarly as mentioned above, Board decided earlier on
12.01.11 (vide BMB No. 06/2011) for introduction of in situ-promotion scheme. But
some of our units opposed this scheme and directly submitted representations
for not introducing it. On receiving
such objections, the Board got the pretext of opposition of the scheme from
within us to dump it which was also having the provisions of counting of
in-situ Asstt. Commissioner service for further promotions in Group-A.
9. The existing
body of the All India Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers
took up various issues in the interest of the cadre during its tenure. The
suggestions of all the office bearers and the units were always taken into
account at the time of taking up the issues. Every step was taken for the
success and bright future of the cadre whether relating to career prospects or
pay matters or any other issues. As & when required, the cases of the
individual units including the individual office bearers as well as members
were also taken up on being asked by the concerned unit. The brief account of
the issues taken up during the tenure of the existing body is enumerated under
the forthcoming paragraphs.
10. The issue of
the stagnation was taken up by the All India Body at the various levels
including HRD, the Members and Chairperson of the Board, Revenue Secretary,
DOPT Secretary, Expenditure Secretary, MOS of DOPT, MOS of Finance, Cabinet
Secretary, Minister of Finance and many other VIPs etc. having meetings with
them and submitting the representations in person. It also includes the
relevant correspondence made with the Hon’ble Prime Minister as well as
President. It is very unfortunate that the most of our officers have been
retiring in PB2 after joining the job in PB2 itself while our common entry
counterparts are easily attaining PB4 levels. The cadre restructuring was
hectically pursued by the Association to get the maximum Group-A promotional
posts for our officers. Initially, the CBEC intended to propose the increase of
only 800 posts and then 1200 posts at AC/DC level which was increased finally
to 2618 on account of the hectic efforts made by the All India Body. This
increase was not made in a single stretch but it was the result of the various
meetings held at various levels. We, however, require more upto higher levels
on account of our prolonged & extraordinarily acute stagnation but it is
also certainly a great achievement to get our around 2000 Central Excise Superintendents
entered into Group-A at the first step of the implementation of cadre
restructuring which never happened in the history. Not only it, 2118 posts of
Asstt. Commissioner will be kept intact only for promotee officers without
giving even a single post for direct entry out of these and will be filled-up
in un-staggered manner. No need to say that these posts will also be carried
beyond 5 years and never be abolished on account of ever increasing functional
requirement of the CBEC. The officers promoted against these posts will also
get upward movement as per the legal verdict already given by the Chennai CAT
in the case of promotee IRS officers’ Association vrs. Union of India. Thus, it
has now been ensured that our officers will not retire on a post lower than the
Asstt. Commissioner and they shall enter PB3. No need to say that this all
happened due to the hectic efforts made by our Association. As already
mentioned, the All India Body has also taken up the matter with the Cabinet
Secretary by meeting with him many times to devise some scheme independent of
cadre restructuring for our officers for their upward movement on functional or
even non-functional basis. He was kind enough to recommend to the Cabinet to
bring some scheme for our Group-B officers to remove their stagnation
independent of cadre restructuring which has been very well accepted by the Cabinet.
Not only it, he has already recommended to our department to devise the
measures to grant us parity with our counterparts of CSS etc. and also grant us
the non-functional financial upgradation with our best placed Group-B common
entry counterparts. The file of non-functional financial upgradation is already
with the DOPT. No need also to say that such type of things have happened first
time in the history of our cadre when the Cabinet Secretary himself took
interest for our cause after realizing the gross injustice being done to us.
Once, there was a great danger of austerity measures on our CR but it was also
overcome by the efforts of our Association. We have to keep our fight continued
until our officers are able to get at least 5 functional promotions in the
career. We should never be happy only with two promotions in the career.
11. During the
period under reportage, all the resolutions passed/adopted in the meetings of
either Associate Committees or Associate Executive Committees were immediately
communicated to CBEC for redressal. These points were also raised before the
authorities in grievance redressal meetings. The recorded minutes of such
grievance meetings were also forwarded to all of our Units and Regional Office
bearers. The matters relating to anomalies on Pay/MACP/Time Scale (NFGP) etc. were
referred by Board, as agreed upon in grievance meetings, to nodal departments
such as DOPT, Expenditure etc. for consideration. But these proposals were
rejected by concerned nodal department arbitrarily. Therefore, we were forced
to file OA’s in Central Administrative Tribunals.
12. In the course
of near about 2 hours discussions of our President with Chairperson of CBEC as
per her telephonic request during her Puri visit on a holiday, the Chairperson
admitted that the Stagnation Committee headed by Shri B. B. Agrawal has been
constituted as per the directions of the Cabinet Secretary to solve the
stagnation problem of our cadre on a long term basis independent of cadre
restructuring. She also stated interalia that (a) the temporary posts have been created
on the basis of functional necessity of the department for collection of
adequate revenues, hence the same will
not be abolished after 5 years (however, the period of 5 years is mentioned in
the notification as per the requirement of the provisions for creation of temporary
posts) (b) Cabinet approval is must for creation of posts for existing service
as well as any proposed service (c) DOPT has stated that no
separate service can be created like CSS in a department having
Organised Group-A service, where certain percentage of posts are reserved for promotee
officers to such organised service (d) DOPT has clearly stated that unless the cadre controlling zones are merged
to one all India zone with single appointing authority, it is not possible to
implement all India seniority list in the grade of Inspector (e) The qualifying
years of service as prescribed by DOPT on the basis of pay fixation as per the recommendations
of 6th CPC is not mandatory (
f) CBEC is willing to frame new RRs to grant promotions to all three feeder
categories on the basis of a common seniority list and not to involve UPSC in
granting promotions to JTS grade (g) Before approval of the Cabinet for creation
of posts, the proposal must be initiated by the concerned department duly
conducting proper study by different groups/committees justifying the creation
of posts on the basis of different guidelines prescribed by DOPT/Expenditure
and also norms prescribed by SIU, and
duly taking approval from the
IFU, Head of the Organisation, Secretary of the Department and Minister in
Charge. Thereafter, the proposal should be placed before Cadre Review Committee
duly taking approval from Expenditure Secretary, Minister in Charge of
Expenditure, Secretary and Minister of DOPT and by FM. If there is any disagreement
during the meeting of Cadre Review Committee, it will be placed before a
committee comprising of Group of
Ministers or otherwise directly to Cabinet for approval (h) In-situ promotional
scheme is expenditure neutral and only FM is competent to approve the same and
CBEC in principle had already agreed for introduction of such scheme in Board
meeting held during 2011 (i) In such Board meeting, it was agreed upon for
introduction of in-situ scheme on the lines of the scheme as existed in the D/O
Science and Technology, D/O Health, CSS and Rajya Sabha Secretariat (j) It was
also agreed upon to grant JTS status on completion of 20 years (Inspector+ Superintendent)
and STS status on completion of 5 years
in JTS status (k) She has already instructed the Stagnation Committee to submit
its report for a long term solution of
stagnation issue as well as short term
benefit by introducing in-situ
promotional scheme (l) A proposal for relaxation of qualifying years of service
for Group-A is pending with DOPT (m) A proposal for down-gradation of higher
posts will be submitted on completion of meetings of all DPC’s (n) A proposal for filling-up of DR
posts to be lying vacant for a period of one year or more by granting ad hoc
promotions will also be submitted to DOPT.
13. Though the
creation of temporary posts will benefit thousands of our officers and this is
a very big achievement of our Association as a whole, however immediately after
the issuance of cadre restructuring notification dated 18.12.13 by Board, we
submitted the representations to PM/FM and other authorities pointing out the
discrepancies of the CR with an intention to get more benefits.
14. The CBEC initially recommended for creation of near about 4000 Group-A
posts in the CR on persuasion by our Association. The then Chairman, having a very good rapport with
the then FM, was determined for approval of these posts. But very unfortunately,
some other Associations rose objections on such proposal and pursued the then
Revenue Secretary to obtain a copy of CR proposal. After getting the copy,
several objections were submitted and approval of CR was delayed without
acceptance even of a single objection raised by them. Due to delay in approval
of CR, our many senior members retired without entering into the lowest rung of
Group-A. Meanwhile the then Chairman retired and DOPT rejected the CR proposal directing
CBEC to create not more than 1000 Group-A posts. Due to pressure from our Association,
the then FM and MOS of DOPT jointly agreed for creation of near about 2500 Group-A
posts. However due to continuous pressure from our Association, finally it was
agreed to create near about 3100 Group-A posts.
15. Out of about 3100 Group-A posts, 2118 temporary posts
of AC have been created on functional necessity basis which can be converted to
regular after 3 years as per DOPT guidelines or can be extended further after 5
years. These temporary posts have been created to provide promotions only to
promotee officers. This is a very big achievement of our Association. On one
side, one Association tried to stall the CR and on the other side, we tried for
immediate approval. Finally, CR was approved by the Cabinet. No need to
say that the Cabinet Secretary played a very important role to get the much
wanted approval on our request. Immediate after the approval of CR, we
submitted representations to (1) allow
100% promotions against the posts created in CR (2) down-gradation of higher
posts which cannot be filled-up due to unavailability of eligible officers (3)
Ad-hoc promotions against vacant DR quota and (4) creation of leave reserved
posts etc. We have also contacted DOPT for down-gradation of higher posts, but meanwhile
Board submitted a proposal for one time relaxation of RRs to fill up the higher
posts by reducing the qualifying service. Such proposal of CBEC is pending with
DOPT. If this proposal is not accepted by DOPT, Board will submit the proposal
for down-gradation of higher posts. The Chairperson of CBEC has also assured to
submit a proposal to DOPT for creation of leave reserved posts and to fill-up
vacant DR posts to grant ad-hoc promotions to our officers.
16. The CR notification creating various posts was issued
on 18.12.13 and there was no problem to grant promotions to Group-A JTS posts
at least on in-situ basis. But a proposal to conduct DPC could not be submitted
to UPSC in time due to the non submission of ACR dossiers, vigilance clearances
etc. by field formations, revision of seniority lists and filing of different
Court cases etc. etc. Finally, the Board submitted a proposal to UPSC on
15.09.14 to conduct DPC for 421 posts only. However due to our persuasion and initiation,
UPSC agreed to revert back the proposal with a direction to conduct DPC at
Board level. As per our request, Board conducted a single DPC for 421 and 2118
posts on 17.10.14 to 19.10.14. This DPC, however, could have been conducted
earlier, if ACR/APAR dossiers, vigilance clearances etc. were sent timely and
correctly by the field formations as DG, HRD duly wrote them to keep the same
ready in the month of August/September, 13 on persuasion of the Association.
17. It may not be out of place to state that it is not
required to consult UPSC to conduct DPC to grant ad-hoc promotions. We were
promised to hold at least two DPC’s in the year by CBEC for ad-hoc promotions
to the post of AC. But some of our Unit lodged complaint before UPSC about long
pending ad-hocism in promotions in CBEC. UPSC took the matter seriously and approached
the Cabinet Secretary on the issue. As a result, the CBEC was directed to
approach the UPSC for ad-hoc promotions also. Thus very unfortunately, even the
ad-hoc promotions to the post of AC were started to be delayed tremendously on
account of the prescribed lengthy procedure of regular DPC being followed even
for ad-hoc promotions and also always having a very tight schedule by UPSC due
to looking after the DPCs, recruitments etc. for other departments too. Thus,
only 3 DPC’s could be conducted by UPSC in the last 4 years for the post of AC.
Now as per our request, UPSC somehow agreed to give clearance to the Board to
conduct DPC in case of ad-hoc promotions.
18. Hon’ble Apex Court on
03.08.11 in W.P. No. 385/10 filed by the Association in the name of Sh. Vimal
Kumar directed the Board to amend the RRs on the basis of representations of different
Associations and also directed that the pending ad-hoc promotions are to be
regularized on the basis of the decision of the Board to be taken in this
matter. Our Association submitted representation for amendment of RRs in the way of maintaining
either base cadre or feeder cadre parity. But very unfortunately, a few other
Associations and some Unit of our Association also submitted representations
for enhancement of ratio. Thus, the Board framed the RRs on the basis of 13:2:1
ratio and decided for prospective implementation of RRs regularising the ad-hoc
promotions on the basis of old RRs on the ground that RRs operative on the date
of vacancy would be applied for promotions. Board as well as one of our units
also filed clarificatory petition which were rejected by SC. Despite of such
rejection, Board did not agree to make regularisation of ad-hoc promotions
pending since 1997 on the basis of new ratio. Hence, contempt petitions were
also filed but SC rejected the same duly considering that the decision of Board
was appropriate and the same would abide for regularisation of ad-hoc
promotions. However as SC had not decided the case on merit, a case has already
been filed by Shri K. S. Pandit before SC to decide the case on merit. Hence, the
matter is now subjudice in the Apex as well as Principal Bench of CAT.
19. As opined by
the legal experts consulted by us, the clarificatory & contempt petitions by
some of our units have closed all the doors for us to get the regularization of
ad hoc promotions based on new RRs. However, no need to say that we have
already challenged the new 13:2:1 RRs because of the same not being acceptable
to us. It is also interesting that the
Inspectors Association paid its thanks to the CBEC for reframing of RRs based
on 13:2:1 ratio instead of parity, whether base cadre or feeder cadre. The then
JS was very much interested to frame the RRs based on the base cadre parity but
was very much disappointed by the issue not being raised by the Inspectors
Association. However in course of the discussions of our President with the
Chairperson on a holiday in Puri, she has told that now Board is willing to
revise the RRs to provide common seniority list of feeder categories to grant
promotions and to exempt UPSC consultation in granting ad-hoc promotions to JTS
posts.
20. It is known to all that certain other Associations have made delay in
the CR. Some of us are still not interested in base cadre parity with Customs
counterparts but advocating for base cadre parity within Central Excise inciting
the intra-Central Excise fightings. If we can attain the base cadre parity
within Central Excise in accordance of their version, we can also attain base
cadre parity with Customs. No need to say that the base cadre parity with
Customs will give us actual benefit also removing the intra-Central Excise
disparities as the Examiner of 1984 has already become Joint Commissioner with
sufficient service left and will certainly become at least ADC whereas our
Inspector of 1984 is still waiting to become AC. The issue of intra-Central
Excise disparities will also dilute our case of parity with the
intraorganisational common entry counterparts, which our Board authorities also
desire. It is also worth to mention that intra-Central Excise disparities
always kept fluctuating based on various factors. The zones which were far
ahead of others in the past are behind others now and vice-versa.
21. We have highlighted in our memorandum submitted to the 7th CPC
not only to consider higher pay scale but also for removal of stagnation. We are also in regular touch with the Pay Commission on
their calls as they are very much impressed by our representation/memorandum.
We should expect something better from the Pay Commission this time as per the
things being transpired between them and us. In our memorandum, we have
interalia demanded for pay parity with DSP of CBI, at least 5 upgardations in
promotional hierarchy, one rank-one pension, effect of 7th CPC recommendations
from 01.01.14, introduction of flexible promotional scheme and batch wise upgradation
etc.
22. It is
also known to everyone that CBEC is not in the habit of implementing the
guidelines prescribed by DOPT to conduct Cadre Restructuring, to conduct DPC
and to frame Recruitment Rules. CBEC does not show any interest to improve
the career prospects of Group-B Gazetted Officers of the department. The CBEC
officials work with the only motive of “all the good for self, self-ego &
power”. Despite such attitude of CBEC
officials, we all together performed hard work and succeeded in
approving more than 3100 Group-A posts in the course of CR-2013. Due to our
persuasion, a committee has been constituted to solve the stagnation issue
permanently independent of cadre restructuring despite of indifferent &
negative attitude of CBEC officials.
23. The matter of the higher
pay scale was taken up with the
different authorities including the implementation of the para 7.15.24 of the 6th
CPC report granting us parity with the Chief Enforcement Officers. It is already
with the Department of Expenditure. As we all know, a legal case is already pending
in the Cuttack CAT with the help of our Bhubaneswar Unit demanding an initial
grade pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB3 for our Superintendents at par with the
counterparts of IB, CBI etc.
24.
The legal case challenging the MACP irregularities has also already been filed
in the Principal Bench of CAT in Delhi. Reply of the Govt. in this case is
still awaited.
25.
A legal case asking parity in promotions with the intra-organisationnal common
entry counterparts is also at the stage of final arguments in the Principal
Bench of CAT. We may get rid not only of the intra-Central Excise disparities
but also get parity with Examiner of Customs by this case. No need to say that
Examiners are already reaching the level of Addl. Commissioner as also accepted
by the CBEC. We have nothing against them and not asking to withdraw their
benefit. We are merely asking for the same benefit for us. We wish that they
and we should get even more benefits including the parity with other better
placed counterparts.
26.
The provisions of extended panel
to grant promotions were not being implemented by the CBEC for promotion
from Group-B to Group-A. Now, they have started to implement the same due to the
efforts made by our Association. More than 400 officers have been promoted by
the promotion orders issued on 22.10.14 for 1863 of our officers by the
implementation of the provisions of extended panel as a great Deepawali Gift.
Very hectic efforts were made by the Association to get the promotion orders
issued on the occasion of Deepawali. All of the things were going on very well
on 22.10.14 and we were promised even by the Revenue Secretary for the issuance
of the orders on this day. But things moved towards a disappointing note in the
evening due to the MOS not being able to return to Delhi from Hyderabad. Again
the matter was pursued very hectically and as a result, the file was cleared by
the FM at his residence in late evening and “Happy Deepawali” message was
received from our Revenue Secretary. The promotion orders were issued on the
very same day in very late evening on account of the wanted seriousness &
interest being shown by our CBEC authorities too including the Chairperson
& Member (P&V). The efforts are already being made to get an early DPC
for 2014-15 and also advance DPC for 2015-16. Expectedly both of the DPC’s will
be conducted very soon, if we are able to provide the ACR/APAR dossiers,
vigilance clearances etc. timely & correctly this time on being asked by
the CBEC. We have already been asked by the Board to ask our members to be
vigil in having the relevant records ready. The message of doing the needful in
this regard has already been passed to every unit & office bearers by e-mail
and also placed on the blogspot of the Association.
27. The standstill of
the type of 22.10.14 was also faced at the time of the issuance of the
notification of cadre restructuring. The CBEC wanted to change the figures
approved by the Cabinet in the interest of the higher authorities at the time
of the approval of the notification by the former FM. If it was done, whole of
the cadre restructuring would have revamped requiring fresh approval of
Cabinet, which means processing of the cadre restructuring proposal afresh
again taking many years and as a result, continuous retirement of our officers
without promotion for many more years. The things were brought to the knowledge
of the then Revenue Secretary, Sh. Sumit Bose. He was kindenough not to approve
the changed figures of CBEC asking them to bring the things in consonance of
Cabinet approval. He was requested by us on the day of his retirement to do the
needful. He was again kindenough to send the file to the FM on the very same
day. After it, the former FM was busy in some election schedule and CBEC
authorities didn’t dare to contact him out of his office for the approval of
the file. The Association again made its own efforts and finally, he cleared
the file despite of the opposition from the next Revenue Secretary and the
notification was issued on 18.12.13. At this time also, very sincere efforts
were made by the Inspectors Association to delay the CR in the name of the
removal of the regional disparities to the post of Superintendent from
Inspector saying that the CR shouldn’t be implemented without removal of the
said disparities despite of the CR file already being cleared by the former
Revenue Secretary. Their version of regional disparities was not accepted by
the Revenue Secretary but the CR was delayed due to new style of working of the
new Revenue Secretary. Again same efforts were made by the Inspectors
Association to delay the CR before RRs Committee, Neeraja Shah Committee and B.
B. Agrawal Committee saying the same thing of not implementing the CR before
removal of the regional disparities. But our Association always made the
sincere efforts to get the CR implemented particularly keeping in view the mass
scale regular retirements of our officers only with single promotion and the
result is before all of us in the form of fabulous Deepawali gift.
28. However, no
promotion orders to the post of AC have been issued for the Appraiser category
due to some litigation. 200 posts from Central Excise share and some also from
Customs share have been kept un-filled perhaps due to some litigation. Central
Excise share has not been filled-up completely perhaps due to some reservation
issue being pending in legal court.
29. The issues
relating to the individual units, office
bearers and members in r/o transfer,
harassment, vigilance etc. were taken up with the Central as well as local
administration whenever required and asked by the concerned unit or office
bearer.
30. The matter
of the issuance of the general guidelines for transfer & postings instead
of draft was taken up with the administration by the All India Body. As a
result, the general guidelines of transfer/posting policy of 1994 for Central
Excise group ‘B’ officers have already been reiterated on the site of CBEC. It
also has the clause not to transfer the Association functionaries out of the
Headquarters office. It has also been agreed to make transfer/posting policy in
consultation of the units of the Association in field formations in the wake of
the implementation of the cadre restructuring. The issue of transfer of newly
promoted AC’s was also discussed with the Board and it has been agreed that the
officers will be kept in their own zone. They will be transferred to the nearby
zones, if vacancies are not available in their zones.
31. The Board
has also already given the directions to the field formations on persuasion by
the Association to avail due infrastructure. Hope that every unit would have
talked to the concerned local administration on the issue.
32. The issue of the stepping up of the pay of the seniors in case of
getting less pay than juniors under ACPS/MACPS is already with the DOPT based
on the efforts made by the All
India Body in accordance of the legal pronouncements. The orders for general acceptance of the same by the DOPT are very much
expected.
33. Various Satyagraha programmes were observed and also deferred as
per the demand of the situation & circumstances very tactically in the
interest of the cadre. We all, however, have
to understand the importance of such programmes. These are the actual tools to
achieve our aims, if observed effectively with completeness. Such programmes
are never made successful merely by the issuance of the circulars. Hectic efforts
are to be made by making personal contacts with members, sending SMS’s &
e-mails to every member, telephoning them, having meetings at every office and
going to their residences etc. to actually observe the programmes. The formal
or weak approach in such matters never gives the result. We have to observe
such programmes in totally strong manner without being afraid of Conduct Rules.
This is the only way to resolve our issues in the least time and in the most
effective manner. Without a strong agitation nothing can be gained by us. Hence,
I would like to appeal all of you to think seriously about conducting of a
strong agitation. The purpose of highlighting the above issues is to motivate
our general members to come forward voluntarily to join us in every agitational
programme.
34. The issue of the allotment of the centralised GPF
account was taken up and it is very much expected to get it centralized/on line
very soon.
35. The recognition of the Association was also got renewed
further for 5 years by the All India Body despite of the same being made very
complicated by the CBEC.
36. The officers were
being posted temporarily or with additional charge or for a very short period
at HRD. A regular DG was posted at HRD with the efforts of the Association to
streamline the things in the interest of the cadre which were pending once upon
a time in HRD due to the want of regular DG.
37. RTI Act is also being used to get
information on various issues in the interest of the cadre.
38. All the
units are requested to clear the subscription dues and also donate the maximum funds to the Association to be used
for the various purposes. We should not forget that the funds play a very
important and vital role to get the desired results. We should not be failed in
our efforts at least for the want of funds.
39. The issue of
the revision of reward was also taken up by the Association.
The Board accepted the same with the issuance of the relevant minutes.
40. The issue to
strengthen the employee grievances redressal
mechanism was taken up. The due circulars have also been issued to the
field formations by the CBEC to hold the meetings with the staff Associations.
41. The issue of the stoppage of
the group ‘A’ direct recruitment for more than one years at the time of
the implementation of the cadre restructuring was raised by the All
India Body. As a result, no direct recruitment will be made against 2118
temporary posts for 5 years.
42. AIACEGEO also
started an initiation for formation of a common Federation of Superintendents
and Inspectors. Accordingly AIACEGEO invited the office bearers of AICEIA for
discussions. After discussions, a committee was also formed comprising the
office bearers of AICEIA & AIACEGEO. But very unfortunately much progress
could not be made in formation of such Federation as the leaders of AICEIA
suddenly submitted one letter to Board stating that the representatives of
AIACEGEO should not be invited to furnish their opinions before Neeraja Shah
Committee on unification of Group ‘B’ Non-gazetted Executive grades into
three all India cadres. Therefore, both the
Associations could not be united. However since at present new office bearers
have already been elected in AICEIA, it is the appropriate time to form such Federation
amongst all Executive Officers of CBEC.
43. The All
India Body raised many more issues before the administration in the interest of
the cadre as and when required. The issues were raised as per the need of the various
units also, whenever asked.
44. We pay our
compliments to you all for your sagacious selection of your representatives. An
overwhelming majority of the members of Associate Committee have performed
their work exceedingly well; the contribution of some has been outstanding. I
thank them one and all for rendering their valuable cooperation and giving
useful suggestions making the job of the Association easier. There may be some
areas which could not be attended or even if attended, the desired result could
not be achieved. But it was not due to any malice or motive. We have tried our
best in the interest of the cadre. We have been constantly striving to create
high image of our Association. If you feel that we have sincerely tried to do
something for the cadre, we feel honoured for having justified the confidence
being had in us by you all.
45.
In the last, I alongwith our President Sh. Lokanath
Mishra extend all of my thanks on behalf of the All India Association of
Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers to
all of you attending the meeting after coming from every corner of the country.
It is also worth to mention that all the actions and activities of the
Association became possible only by the cooperation and support given by you
all, all the units, all the office bearers including the regional/zonal ones
and each & every member of the Association throughout the country. The SG
being situated in Delhi itself also made the things convenient to meet the
concerned authorities within no time on being called or without being called and
pursue the various issues in the interest of the cadre in more amicable manner
by meeting with the authorities even without appointment. It is worth to note
that the most of the times entering into the CBEC offices without prior
appointment as unwanted guest to take up the issues relating to our cadre
including the promotional matters is not the culture of our CBEC authorities. Despite
of it, every issue was taken up by meeting with the concerned authorities and
every relevant information was gathered immediately and circulated within no
time due to the situation of SG being in Delhi. With all of my regards &
respect, I also want to say that we were guided & headed by an “excellent &
extraordinary” President namely Sh. Lokanath Mishra during the tenure of the
present body, who always single-handedly operated the blogspot of the
Association in a masterly manner based on his excellently thorough knowledge on
service matters providing various informations not only to our officers but
also to the officers of various other departments. His
very active role in preparing this report is also very highly appreciable. His
commitment for the cause of the cadre was always exemplary and we all should
learn from him how to fulfill the commitments. With utmost sincerity and
dedication, he always tried to solve the problems of our cadre.
46. Before I
conclude, I thank all the delegates for having given me an opportunity to serve
for the betterment of the cadre. Wishing all the best to the Association and
each one of you. Long live our unity, solidarity and organizational integrity. JAI
HIND.
With all of my loves
& regards,
Daman (RAVI MALIK)
1st November, 2014 Secretary General
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