CIRCULAR 03/09

Dear Comrades,
After a long gap we are issuing this circular as you all know in these days we were busy in pursuing the issues already pending near the Govt, our Ministry and the Board.
The Secretary General Visited Delhi on May 13th to 15th 2009 for following up the issues we have raised with the Board and to fix appointment with the Board Officials and Revenue Secretary for Detail discussion, on 14th May, 2009 Secretary General met with office bearers of ITEF in order to proceed jointly for common issues, during that meeting ITEF mooted the idea of going for Strike on Pay related issues and requested our participation also.
President, Working President, Vice president (east) along with Secretary General of the Association again visited Delhi between 8th and 12th of June 2009 on during this visit we met the Member (P&V) & Joint Secretary (Admn). The Member (P&V) meeting was scheduled as per the direction from the Revenue Secretary and the Chairman since they could give us sufficient time only after the budget. In the meeting the following issues were discussed.
1. Grade pay of Rs. 4600/- for Inspectors-
We apprised him that the officials in the expenditure Ministry are adopting dilatory tactics and requested him to personally talk with them; he agreed that he would meet the Secretary Expenditure immediately after the budget. He informed us that Financial Adviser as well as the Revenue Secretary has now recommended the matter.
2. Notional fixation of 6500 scale with effect from 01.01.1996-
The Member (P&V) asked us whether such notional fixation has been granted in other cases, we provided him with the details and he took a note of it . He also enquired the financial benefit that will accrue and data were furnished.
3. Grade pay of Rs. 5400/- for ACP recipient Inspectors-
We referred to our earlier representation on the matter and submitted that by the issuance of the MACPS, the matter stands clarified and requested him to issue necessary directions in this regard. He agreed to look into the matter.
4. Counting the regular service for the purpose of ACP from the 1st July succeeding the date of examination-
We presented to matter and apprised him that Board had initiated action in this regard by calling for details from the field as early as in 2007 but subsequently it lost its wind. He agreed to examine the issue.
5. Facility of option for 2003 to 2005 batch of Inspectors:
We submitted that the Board had invited options from the batches subsequent to 2005 before allocating to zones and the Board is in the process of finalizing allotment of the fresh batch and requested him accord the earlier batches a facility to exercise their option before the new batch is allotted to zones. Even though the Member (P&V) agreed to the genuineness of the request, he doubted about the feasibility. During the course of the discussion, we made a suggestion of introducing all India transfer liability to the All India Recruits by retaining their seniority in the allotted zone. He was also interested in the idea and said that he would study the feasibility.
6. Posting of Inspectors in Commissioner’s Unit-
We registered our protest to the practice that has started in some places since the Inspector posted are degraded to the level of a PA. The Member (P&V) took note of the issue.
We met the Joint Secretary (Admn) and referred to our representation regarding the letter issued by the Dy. Controller of Accounts stating that the Inspectors who received ACP after 01.01.2006 shall be placed in the grade pay of Rs. 4600/- only. We had pointed out that the instructions of the DCA was issued prior to the issuance of MACPS which clarifies that it would come into effect only on 01.09.2008 and prior to that the 99 ACPS would be operational. During our visit to Delhi, we received information that PAOs in some part of the Country has started issuing directions to recover differential salary and we requested his urgent intervention to preempt the issue.
We have submitted our representation to Joint Secretary (Admn) on unfounded deputation posting of Appraiser of Customs in the Superintendent vacancy of Chandigarh Zone thereby weakening the scope of promotion of Inspectors of that zone. We have requested to resolve the matter immediately. In addition to this we have submitted one reminder on our request made on 01.04.2009 on scope of Inspectors to work in ACES.
We met Board officials at various levels and have discussed the issues pending with their sections.
We had a meeting with the ITEF & ITGOA office bearers regarding the joint actions on pay related issues. They have proposed a strike action and requested us also to take part. We said that we would be able to confirm only after our CEC meeting at Chandigarh and as requested by them we proposed the tentative date of the strike as 20.08.2009.
We are constantly pursuing an appointment with our union Finance Minister, Hon’ble Finance Minister asked for a status report from Revenue Secretary’s office on our three point charter of demand that was submitted to him before election. We are expecting an appointment with FM & MOS (Exp) shortly.
We went to HRD office to enquire about the restructuring process in C.Ex. And came to know that the three study groups had not yet submitted their reports, we the available office bearers of the All India Association had a meeting in Delhi and discussed about our views on restructuring the draft will be ready by the end of next week and for finalisation it will be discussed at length in the Chandigarh C.E.C.
We would like to request the Office Bearers of All India Central Excise Inspectors’ Association and the Branch and Circle Secretaries & Presidents to attend the Chandigarh C.E.C. meeting on time and help the host to conclude the meeting on time. We request all concerned to intimate Chandigarh circle or the All India Association at the earliest about their to and fro journey. It is further requested to place the concerned Branch/Circle’s accounts in the C.E.C. and kindly clear the dues of the All India Association, we would like to request further to bring D.D.O certificate in the meeting and where it is not available kindly make arrangement to submit it by August 15th2009.

Comradely Yours ( Kousik Roy)

Standard deduction for salaried employees may return

Ahead of the annual budget, here’s some cheer for salaried employees and pensioners. The finance ministry is considering bringing back standard deduction of up to Rs 20,000 in individual taxable incomes.
According to revenue department officials, the government may be willing to take a small hit in return for a spike in spending that it hopes will result from a bigger disposable income with the salaried classes.
Till the budget for 2005-06, a standard deduction of Rs 30,000 or 40 per cent of income, whichever was lower, was allowed to salaried employees with an annual income between Rs 75,000 and Rs 5 lakh. For those earning more, the standard deduction was fixed at Rs 20,000.
The standard deduction was meant to compensate salaried people for the fact that self-employed small business persons or entrepreneurs paid tax only on their net income after deducting business expenditure.
Industry has been demanding the re-introduction of standard deduction so that individual taxpayers are able to spend more and stimulate domestic demand. As Indira Gandhi’s finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee had in fact, raised it from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 in the budget for 1983-84.
“There are two ways of looking at reducing personal tax. One option before the government is to do away with surcharges. The other option would be to give relief to individual earnings up to a particular level. In other words, keeping in mind fiscal deficit constraints, the benefit could be extended to only lower income earners.
This would help reduce administrative burden of the department and focus on the big fish,” said Sudhir Kapadia, Partner, Taxation, Ernst & Young. P Chidambaram had as finance minister removed the standard deduction after overhauling tax slabs and raising the exemption limit to Rs 1 lakh. He had introduced three slabs of 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent for individuals in the Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh income bracket, Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh and over Rs 2.5 lakh respectively.
Source: The Indian Express
“Standard deduction should be restored,” the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) said in its pre-Budget memorandum to the government.

Govt proposes New Health Insurance Scheme in lieu of CGHS

With an effort to introduce Central Government Employees & Pensioners Health InsuranceScheme (CGEPHIS) recommended by Sixth Central Pay Commission, Ministry of Health & FamilyWelfare, invites Expressions of Interest from Insurers and Health Insurance consultants for the proposed scheme.

As per the document known as Expression of Interest published the CGHS website in this regard,Government of India proposes to provide inpatient health care services to the following personnel of the Central Government .

Beneficiaries

All personnel of the Central Government including All India Service officers, serving, newly recruited, retired and retiring and others who are covered under the existing CGHS(Central Government Health Services) and under CS (MA) [Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules] Rules shall be offered Health Insurance Scheme on voluntary or on compulsorily basis . This could be:
CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government Employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the health Insurance Scheme.
CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government retirees who would be retiring from the service after the introduction of the Insurance Scheme.
CGEPHIS would be available on voluntary basis for the existing Central Government Employees and pensioners serving in CGHS area/ covered by CGHS. In this case such serving Central Government Employees and Central Government existing Pensioners shall have to opt out of CGHS scheme. They will also have the option of choosing both CGHS and Insurance policy. In such case the total premium has to be born by the beneficiary.
CGEPHIS would also be available on voluntary basis for the existing serving employees and pensioners in non-CGHS areas not covered by CGHS. In this case such serving Central Government Employees and existing Pensioners (who have opted for CGHS facility) shall have to opt out of CGHS scheme. They will also have the option of choosing both CGHS and Insurance policy. In such case the total premium has to be born by the beneficiary.
The proposals relating to sum assured/policy limits, family size, age limit, Insurance coverage are as follows

Sums Insured / Policy Limits

The scheme shall provide coverage for meeting all expenses relating to hospitalization of beneficiary members up to Rs. 500,000/- per family per year subject to stated limits on cashless basis through smart cards. The benefit shall be available to each and every member of the family on floater basis i.e. the total reimbursement of Rs. 5 .00 lack can be availed by one individual or all members of the family. The document also says the Government has proposed to restrict the benefit in respect of Domiciliary hospitalization and Maternity to Rs.50,000/- for each admission

Family Size / Age Limit

Serving Employees: Self, spouse, two dependent children and dependent parents (New born shall be considered insured from day one).
Retired Employees: Self, spouse and one dependent child.
Additional dependent family member can be covered under the scheme by paying the fixed percentage of premium per additional dependent family member. The premium shall be borne by the beneficiary.
All beneficiaries shall be insured till survival.
The definition of dependent shall be as per guidelines issued by Central Government.
Insurance Coverage

In addition to the coverage afforded under a standard medical insurance policy, the following shall also be covered under CGEPHIS:

Pre-existing diseases
Maternity benefit
Day-one Coverage for all diseases
New-born babies
Pre and Post hospitalization cover of 30 days and 60 days respectively
Domiciliary Hospitalization

Central Executive Committee meeting of the All India Association at Chandigarh on 3rd and 4th of July 2009

ALL INDIA CENTRAL EXCISE INSPECTORS’ ASSOCIATION
15/1 Strand Road, Custom House, M.S.Building, 7th floor, Kolkata-700001
(Affiliated to the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers)
Recognised by Ministry of Finance
[vide F.No.B.12017/1/2004-Ad.IV A dated 31.12.07 & 14.1.08]



Notice for Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting Date : 21.05.09.
At Chandigarh, Punjab on 3rd and 4th of July, 2009.

Notice is hereby issued for the meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the All India Central Excise Inspectors’ Association. The meeting is scheduled to be held on 4th of July, 2009 at Chandigarh, Punjab.

The meeting is scheduled to commence at 2.00 P.M. Sharp on 3rd of July, 2009 and to be concluded by 4th of July, 2009 at 2.00P.M.

Agenda

INAUGURAL SESSION: Speech by reputed M.P./ Minister

1. Reading and confirmation of the minutes of the 15th convention held at Daman on 10th , 11th and 13th of December, 2008.
2. Tabling of Action Taken Report
3. Discussion
4. Restructuring.
5. Agitational programme on the pending issues.
6. Fixing of date and venue of the next C.E.C of the A.I.C.E.I.A.
7. Any other items with the permission of the chair.

Note: th
1. Each Branch/circle are hereby requested to submit their suggestion on the forthcoming action plan and details of accounts of each branch/circle may kindly be sent to the SG / President by e.mail before 15.06.09 in order to enable incorporation of the same in the action taken report to be presented by the S.G.
2. Confirmation of attendance along with details of the to and fro journey may be made to Virender singh Thakur (9417318010) (email :) and to the SG, AICEIA by e-mail and directly to Chandigarh by the following email: Laddimultani”> eims12345@yahoo.co.in
3. Name of the Hotel etc, will be informed later.


(Kousik Roy)
Secretary General
To
• President of AICEIA
• All members of Central Executive Committee of AICEIA.
• All Branch/Circle Secretary and president.

Letter to Board against the Instruction of the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts issued vide letter No. Co-ord/Exp/GP/2008-09 dated on 18/05/2009

Comrades,
Pl. refer to the letter No. Co-ord/Exp/GP/2008-09 dated 18.05.2009 of the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, CBEC,By the said letter, the Pr. CCA has advised all the Pay & Accounts Officers under CBEC that the scale corresponding to the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/-should be granted to the Inspectors whose ACP is due on or after 01.01.2006. The Association immediately communicated C.B.E.C about the subject matter and registered its protest. Now we are furnishing the communication made by us, Association like to thank its Pune circle General Secretary for this communication and the initiative taken by the Pune unit on the subject matter.

To
The Chairman,
Central Board of Excise & Customs,
Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance,
North Block, New Delhi.

Sir,

Sub: Grade Pay of Inspectors who were granted ACP between 01.01.2006
and 31.08.2008 – Reg.

Ref: Instruction of the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts issued vide letter No. Co-ord/Exp/GP/2008-09 dated on 18/05/2009.

We wish to bring to your kind notice, the letter No. Co-ord/Exp/GP/2008-09 dated 18.05.2009 of the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, CBEC, and to place our serious objections to the same. A copy of the letter is enclosed. By the said letter, the Pr. CCA has advised all the Pay & Accounts Officers under CBEC that the Inspectors who were granted ACP on or after 01.01.2006 should be placed in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 7450-11500 corresponding to the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- in the Pay Band 2 and the Grade pay of Rs. 4800/- could be granted only after the officer is promoted as Superintendent.

We submit that the said direction is illegal as it is contrary to instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training on ACP Scheme as well as Modified ACP Scheme.

The Modified ACP Scheme has been notified by the DOPT Office memorandum No. 35043/3/2008 – Estt (D) dated 19.05.2009. Paragraph 9 of the OM specifies without any scope of ambiguity that MACPS is operational with effect from 01.09.2008. The MACPS also amply clarifies that as regards the ACP for the period 01/01/2006 to 31/08/2008 and the consequential financial upgradations would be as per the provisions of earlier ACP scheme which would be operational till 31.08.2008. Hence, in respect of Inspectors who have qualified for ACP on completion of twelve years service on a date on or after 01/01/2006 up to 31.08.2008, the financial upgradation would have to be granted in terms of the ACP Scheme, 1999 and the upgradation ought to be to the pay scale of the next hierarchical post- viz. the Superintendent of Central Excise.

The MACPS is also clear and categorical to the effect that past ACPs granted should not be reopened.

We also submit that that the instruction of the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts has been issued on 18/05/2009 i.e. prior to the issuance of MACPS Office Memorandum (which was issues on 19/05/2009. Therefore, consequent on the notification of the MACPS, the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts instruction dated 18/05/2009 is rendered null and void since the DOPT guidelines supercedes the PCCA’s instruction. Further, any clarification as to the ACPS/MACPS has to be sought from the Department of Personal & Training only and the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, CBEC is not competent to issue any instruction.

We apprehend that the based on the referred to instructions of the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, the PAOs may raise objections to the Grade Pay of Rs. 4800/- fixed to Inspectors who were granted ACP between 01.01.2006 and 31.08.2008 and acceptance of such objection by the pay fixing authorities of this Department would lead to unnecessary miseries and untold miseries to the officers across the length and breadth of the country.

It is therefore requested that the Board may resolve the imbroglio with the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts and issue urgent instructions rescinding the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts instructions contained in letter No. Co-ord/Exp/GP/2008-09 dated 18.05.2009. The PAO’s and all formations under the CBEC may be suitably apprised to adhere to the MACPS and to ignore any objections raised by the PAOs’ based on the instructions of Principal Chief Controller of Accounts contained in letter No. Co-ord/Exp/GP/2008-09 dated 18.05.2009.


Yours faithfully


(Kousik Roy )


Copy to:

The Joint Secretary (Admn)
Central Board of Excise & Customs,
Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance,
North Block, New Delhi.

With a request to look into the matter and have the issue suitably resolved at the earliest please.