GRADE PAY UPGRADATION AND ITS AFTERMATH

A fortnight has passed after the issuance of the pay up gradation order and the initial euphoria has given way to airing of doubts, lamentations and accusations. These broadly fall into three categories.

i) What would be the pay fixation of a person joining as direct recruit subsequent to 01.01.2006? Pay fixation of a person promoted as inspector after 01.01.2006? Pay fixation of an inspector in service on 31.12.2005?
ii) Seniors are not benefited by this pay up gradation order and hence there is no need for any hype.
iii) The Association went wrong in withdrawing the strike without getting any assurance on the other demands in the strike agenda.

I would like briefly muse on these three points.

The pay fixation of direct recruit Inspector who joined on or after 01.01.2006 is free from doubt. The initial pay in pay band would Rs. 12540/- and the gross basic pay would be Rs. 17140/-. As regards the other two cases, two views exist. The first one is that the person who was on service as inspector on 31.12.2005 would be fixed in the revised pay band, on electing for revised pay structure on 01.01.2006, at a stage corresponding to his pre-revised basic pay as on 31.12.2005 multiplied by 1.86 and rounded off to Rs. 10/- plus the grade pay of Rs. 4600/- and a person who was promoted as Inspector after 01.01.2006 would get his pay fixed after adding an increment of 3% of his pay in pay band plus the grade pay of the feeder post to the pay in pay band and the grade pay of Rs. 4600/-. The second view is that the pay in pay band so fixed in both these cases shall not go below Rs. 12540/- There is no point in Association giving a clarification; we have to seek it from the authority competent to clarify. In this regard, it may also be worth mentioning that some of the individuals who were promoted as Inspector between 01.01.2006 and 01.09.2008 opted for the revised pay structure on the date of their promotion foregoing their arrears and got the pay fixed corresponding to the stage Rs. 6500/- in the pre revised scale. When the cadre of Inspectors do not have a pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 6500-10500 after 01.01.2006, is not these individual’s pay to be re-fixed as on their date of promotion to a stage corresponding to Rs. 7450/-? If that be the case, can a senior draw a lesser pay?

Coming to the senior’s benefit – to cry that the seniors are not benefited is nothing but a myopic view. First of all the grade pay has restored the parity with analogous cadre, our dignity, our status. Leave that apart because status without pay may not be universally acceptable. Let’s examine whether this order would benefit the seniors. What are our major out standing pay related demands. Notional fixation on 6500-10500 scale with effect from 01.01.1996 and Rs. 5400/- grade pay to ACP recipient Inspectors. You may recall that the initial pay in the pay band of revised pay structure corresponded to the pay plus dearness pay plus DA in the pre-revised scale and the grade pay was the fitment weightage. When a new recruit Inspector had to start his pay in revised pay band at the stage of Rs. 9300/-, the pre-revised pay scale of Inspector was effectively down graded to Rs. 5000-8000. Without even restoring the pay scale to 6500-10500, what logical possibility is there for granting notional fixation of the scale 6500-10500 from 01.01.1996? This up-gradation is absolutely essential in pursuing that demand. As regards the second demand of Rs. 5400/-; prior to this up-gradation only a section of the Inspectors were drawing grade pay of Rs. 4800/- on ACP. Now every Inspector would receive Rs. 4800/- on ACP. Hence I wish to state that despite non-availability of immediate financial benefits to seniors, this up-gradation would benefit them in the long run.

Finally the allegation that strike was withdrawn without obtaining all the demands – If you follow the actions and persuasions done by this Association during the last one year, you would be able to understand that the strike was not simply called on a one fine moment. Step by step, the grade pay issue was brought to the negotiation table. After several rounds of discussion, when finally the issue reached a stalemate, which could not be resolved except through a strike, notice was served. The other points were included in the charted so as to draw attention to it. In the matter of calling strike and calling off strike, I submit that the members should show the magnanimity of giving sufficient lee way to the leadership who would be assessing the situation and it may not be possible to share everything that is happening due to strategic reasons. Strike is similar to the game of brinkmanship used in the diplomatic circles. Only the persons in the first line of action can take the decision.

Before parting, I wish to say that the success in the grade pay issue is only because of our unity and let’s all be proud of that. This is a morale booster for all our future endeavors. We will work together to achieve that.


ARUN ZACHARIAH.P
PRESIDENT
AICEIA

Dear Comrades,

The leaders of the 4 organizations on behalf of which we submitted the Strike Notice on 5^th November 2009, intimating the Government that the employees and officers of the Revenue department would be on strike on 26/11/2009 met ton 17th of November 2009 at Rajouri Garden New Delhi. In view of the decision taken by the Govt., to grant higher Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- to all those who were in the pre-revised scale of 6500-10500. The meeting decided to withdraw the Strike Action slated for 26/11/2009. We send herewith the copy of communication intimating the withdrawal of the proposed strike action. It is quite heartening to note that ultimately the Government took the decision to concede the demands for revised Grade Pay for Inspectors and other similarly placed officials even before the commencement of the Strike.

We take this opportunity to convey our sincere gratitude and congratulations to every one of you for the strenuous efforts you had undertaken in mobilizing the members for the strike action. The two month long agitation and campaign programme undertaken by our All India Association starting from 15^th of July to 9^th of September in the wake of our decision to go for sustained struggle in the Chandigarh C.E.C had created an electrifying atmosphere and determination in the minds of our members to fight out the unjust denial of higher grade pay for Inspectors, Notional fixation of the pre revised pay scale from 01.01.1996, grade pay of Rs. 5400/- for the Inspectors working in the grade pay of 4800/- for four (4) years and removal of stagnation in the cadre of Inspector and Superintendent. As you are aware, our All India Association had been making serious efforts to settle this issue without resorting to an industrial action. In the initial stages we were under the natural impression that the Government having notified that it would revise the Grade Pay of all those who were in the erstwhile pay scale 6500 - 10500 and whose functions were distinct from that of the cadres carrying the pay scale of 5000 - 8000 and 5500 - 9000, the demand for higher Grade Pay for Inspectors, Administrative Officers and Private Secretaries would become a reality without much loss of time.

We came to the inescapable conclusion after the last rounds of discussion with the Official Side of the Dept. of Expenditure held on 7^thOctober 2009 that this simple issue had been complicated in order to delay the grant of legitimate benefit to the employees of the department of revenue. We are extremely thankful to the leaders of the Income-Tax employees Federation, Income-Tax Gazetted officers’ Association and the All India Customs Preventive Services Federation for having expressed their readiness to go along with AICEIA for an eventual Strike Action. But for the serving of the Strike Notice and the mobilization unleashed by us this demand would not have been possible to be achieved. We are also happy to note that our decision to go on strike has not only benefited our members but all those employees and officers in the departments of Govt. of India who had been on the pay scale of 6500 - 10500 prior to the 6^th CPC recommendations came into existence.

It indeed confirms that the struggles are the precursor for achievements and building up a militant Trade Union movement and retaining it vibrant at all times is the pre-requisite. We have taken the firm resolution in Chandigarh CEC that we shall fight against all injustices and will tread the path of struggle in pursuance of our demands.

We once again congratulate all of you for demonstrating this firm commitment in no uncertain terms which has emboldened us to take the decision to go on strike action. We hope that it would not be inappropriate on our part to call upon the comrades who are in the cadre of Inspectors and who are the beneficiaries of the decision presently taken by the Government to contribute for sustaining the financial health of our organization. Accordingly, we request Circle/ Branch General Secretaries to approach every Inspector of their charge to contribute towards the working fund of our All India Association.

The other Issues Government had already instructed our Board to find solution and our Board took a meeting of our All India Association in the Chamber of Member (P&V) on 16^th of September. As decided in the meeting with the Board

1. The issue of Rs. 5400/- grade pay for all those inspectors who are in the grade pay of 4800/- for four (4) years has been sent to DOP&T as par our demand, we argued that expenditure is not the competent authority to clarify any dispute on ACP matter and DOP&T is the only authority to elucidate the dispute. Side by side the CAT case in Kerala is going on, for derth of fund sometimes we are unable to fight the case, hope situation will improve with your help.
2. The Issue pertaining to the notional fixation from 01.01.1996 has been sent to Expenditure once again as chairman’s reference, it is wothy to mention that this issue already got several VIP’s recommendation.
3. In its letter dated 12^th October 2009 Board intimated us that the stagnation related issue is of great concern for CBEC, it is underway in HRD and under the care of AD-IVA secxtion of CBEC and we have come to know that the separate service as we have demanded shall be taken care of at the time of restructuring.

For the above three issues and the issue recently solved we sent several letters inclusive of an SOS letter to the Gazetted Officers Association depicting that 75% of the demands undertaken by our Association relates to the demands of Central Excise Superintendents but a reply is still awaited. Hope in coming days we will be able to shorten the gap between the two Associations.

Sooner or later we will be confronting the CBEC and the Govt., over these issues. These anomalies presently are the subject matter of discussion at various levels. The next course of action will be decided in our next CEC which is likely to be held in Rajasthan in December 2009. Assuring you of our continued efforts in finding resolutions to these issues and with greetings.

Comradely Yours

KOUSIK ROY

4600 achieved ------- CONGRATULATION !

Comrade,

Congratulation to all of you, we have achieved 4600 grade pay ( Rs. 7450/- pay scale )

from 01-01-2006.

Sincerely Yours

Kousik Roy

Notice for Strike (scanned copy)

Circular 09-09

Comrades,


On 5th of November 2009 at Rajouri Garden New Delhi it was decided from a joint meeting of Income-tax Employees Federation, Income-tax Gazetted Officers Association, All India Central Excise Inspectors Association and All India Customs Preventive Services Federation will be on a one day’s strike on 26th November, 2009. These organizations have submitted a Strike Notice to the Revenue Secretary . The demands in pursuance of which the employees will embark upon the strike action are also enclosed.
Our organization decided in our Chandigarh C.E.C to go for strike after exhausting all possible means of persuasion and comrades our association feels that now we have no other option left but to go for one day token strike on our four (4) point charter of demand issued to board on 14.08.2009.
We are enclosing copy of the Strike Notice and charter of demand to all concerned. All the circle and branch Secretary’s are hereby requested to forward the strike notice to the concerned Commissioner/C.C on 10th of November with huge rally and continue lunch hour demonstration on every alternate day up to 25th of November.
Comrades we have our experience of three days strike and with the help of that experience we have to participate in this strike. To make it a grand success we request you all to intensify campaign programme so that a message could reach our Ministry that The Inspectors of Revenue Department have the courage to protest against the whims and fancies of the Government.
The Association surely assures you that we are ready to face any odd and to take any action if our cadre’s interest is not given proper importance. We believe in an administration that we are working only persuasion without proper action shall not bring the feudal lords into terms.
We have already completed our campaign programme in the whole of North India, part of South India and West except Mumbai, Pune and Andhra Pradesh we would like to request Branch Secretaries of Mumbai, Pune, Vizag, Hyderabad, Guntur to organize campaign programme immediately, 0n 16th and 17th of November Office Bearers are going to Mumbai for joint campaign programme with Income-Tax, another team shall go to Andhra Pradesh under the Leadership of N. Balraj and Vekata Krishnan by next week.

We have to complete our campaign programme at the most 20th November, 2009.
All the unit office bearers are once again requested to submit their remaining D.D.O certificates immediately.

Yours fraternally,


The President & ( Kousik Roy)
All Office Bearers of AICEIA
(for wide circulation of inputs to
the Members of all Circles/Branches)

REPLY TO COMMENTS MADE IN THE BLOG

I have seen several posts from a gentleman under a pseudonym complaining that the association is not serious in the grade pay issue. I would request him to read the previous posts of this association before making such irresponsible comments. This is the most important issue being pursued by this association during the last 10 months. As regards the complaint that the association is not going for strike, I request him to read the circular 8/09. The date of the strike is being finalized in consultation with other organizations. It is easy for an armchair commentator to exhort for strike. But a responsible organization can go into it only after going through several steps and weighing the pros and cons. I would like to add that these types of negative remarks are not going to help the situation and would only demoralize the cadres and foster sectarian feelings. I request that gentleman to come out of the pseudonym and call me or the Secretary General for clarifications.


ARUN ZACHARIAH.P
PRESIDENT AICEIA
09447037011

Congratulation

The All India Central Excise Inspectors Association like to thank Sri Virender Singh Thakur the real hero of our All India Association of recent period for his priceless effort to keep the Chandigarh circle intact, this association wish to congratulate Malkit Singh, Monoj Nayyar and their team for being stead fast for the cause of the Assocation

and

The All India Central Excise Inspectors Association like to thank Sri DHARAMVEER SINGH AND SRI H.S.BAJAJ and their team for their priceless struggle for creation of a committed committee in Delhi; the All India Association expects and extends all co-operation to Delhi Circle Committee.