letter to Revenue Secretary from President's desk

AICEIA/PRES/2009 11.08.2009

To
Shri. P.V. Bhide,
Secretary (Revenue),
Ministry of Finance,
North Block, New Delhi.

Sir,
Sub – Upgradation of pay scales of Inspectors in CBEC & CBDT – Reg

A kind reference is invited to the meeting of officials of the Department of Expenditure and the staff representatives of CBEC & CBDT, convened by the Secretary (Revenue) on 23.07.2009 with regard to the up gradation of pay scales of Inspectors in CBEC & CBDT. In the said meeting Secretary (Revenue) had issued directions to convene another meeting in the 1st week of August 2009 to resolve the issue. I respectfully submit that the proposed meeting has not yet been convened. I humbly request the Secretary (Revenue) to intervene in the matter so as to settle the issue.


Yours faithfully


ARUN ZACHARIAH.P
PRESIDENT, A.I.C.E.I.A.

Copy submitted to:

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

MEETING CONVENED BY REVENUE SECRETARY on 23-07-2009 AT KALPABRIKHA, NORTH BLOCK

Comrades,

The President,Working President,Secretary General and Liaison Secretary attended the meeting convened by the Revenue Secretary on 23.07.2009. There were representatives from the ITEF, ITGOA, Customs Preventive Federation and Customs Ministerial Federation. Additional Revenue Secretary, Joint Secretary (P), Dept. Of Expenditure, Director, Implementation Cell, Joint Secretary, Admn, (CBEC), JS (Admn) (CBDT) and DS AD II A were in the official side.

The Revenue Secretary informed that the meeting was called to resolve the grade pay issues of Inspectors who seek an upgradation to the grade pay of Rs. 4600/-. As regards the pay issue of DOS & AO, he stated that it would be looked into later. He told the meeting that the Inspectors have started a lunch hour demonstration, which may lead to a strike, and he wanted to avoid that. He wanted to find a solution to the problem faced by the cutting edge level officers. The officials from the Expenditure Department indicated their reservation on the subject. The Revenue Secretary as well as the other officials in the Revenue Department clearly stated that the post of Inspector and Senior Tax Assistant cannot be merged due to functional considerations. Revenue Secretary repeatedly mentioned about his concern about the agitation programme already taken up by the Inspectors of CBDT and CBEC. He finally requested the Expenditure Department to resolve the issue in two weeks and asked to convene a meeting in the 1st week of August for this purpose.

On 24th we had meeting with Sec. Gen.. of ITEF and Secy Genel. of Confederation at Ayakar Bhawan, Kolkata at 6.30 in the evening. In the meeting ITEF expressed that they are not confident in resolving the issue and that they intended to go for a strike on 09.09.2009 and requested us to join in the agitation.

We have already announced our agitation program and we would continue with it. If the issue remains unresolved despite the intervention of the Revenue Secretary we may have to think of intensified course of action; now our request is that the agitation programme should continue till our demands are resolved.

Agitation programme and its effect

Comrades,

Our primary agitation programme through out the country is a big success, our members through out the country responded to our call, in some remote areas also the programme is organised by our leadership; we thank one and all for this initiative; but comrades this is an initiation only we may have to take some serious decision within a short while, for this we are meeting Income-Tax leadership on 24th of July 2009.
In the meantime Revenue Secretary called a meeting on 23rd of JUly at North block on the pay-scale issue. Depending upon the discussion held at the meeting we would like to take our next course of action .

Kousik

Circular- 04/09

Date : 08.07.09


Comrades,
The CEC meeting of the All India Association held in Chandigarh from 3rd and 4th of July 2009. 17 circles and branches from all over the country attended the meeting and took part in deliberation.
The meeting was inaugurated by Chief Commissioner Sri D.S.Sra and presided over by our All India President Sri Arun Zachariah.P. the minutes of the 15th Convention held at Daman was read out by Com. Balraj and the house confirmed the same with some minor changes.
On 3rd The Secretary General presented his action taken report to the house and the Treasurer Sri Suman Chakraborty also placed the statement of A/c before the house for deliberation. Besides this an opinion of the house was also sought for on the agenda of a one day token strike and a letter from the Secretary General. ITEF was circulated within the house on the above matter.
On 4th of July the proposal on restructuring was discussed at length and suggestion from different circles/ branches received, we shall finalise the proposal shortly and after submission of the same it will be circulated to every branch/ circle.
All the units took part in deliberation and the meeting decided that the Inspectors of Central Excise on the following agenda:
1. The anomaly in the pay scale consequent to the merger of 3 pay scales by the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 thereby placing the feeder cadre of Senior Tax Assistant and the promotional cadre of Inspector in the same grade pay.
2. The denial of notional fixation with effect from 01.01.1996 in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 6500-10500/-. The scale was granted on 21.04.04 in order to restore historical parity of pay scales with Inspectors of CBI & IB.
3. To review the clarification issued by DOE to CBEC denying the non-functional grade pay of Rs. 5400/- after 4 years of service in the grade pay of Rs. 4800/- to ACP recipient Inspectors.
4. Proper measures should be taken to remove acute stagnation of the cadre of Inspector of Central Excise and Inspector cadre organization should be included in the restructuring committee.
5. Inclusion of Inspector cadre organization in the Anomaly committee.

shall initiate agitation programme as appended below.

1. Lunch Hour Demonstration in front of Chief Commissioner’s/ Commissioner’s offices through out the country, that should start from 15th July and it will be observed on every Wednesday in every head quarters for one month.
2. 25th to 28th of August wearing of Black Badges and Lunch hour Dharna in front the above mentioned Offices.
3. Memorandum is to be submitted on 28th in front of All chief commissioners for onward transmission to the Ministry.
4. Sending of post cards to Cabinet Secretary and Finance Minister on 9th of September.
5. Lunch our demonstrations will continue on every week followed by massive poster campaign with the mention of a probable strike action.
6. Pay boycott on 30th of September..
7. Third week of October office bearers will discuss about the feasibility of a strike action in the month of November.
In the entire period of our agitation persuasion will continue.

It was also decided that special initiative will be taken for
• Collection of D.D.O certificates within August 09 and
• Reorganisation of defunct circles and branches

The minutes of the meeting will be circulated shortly.
Comradely Yours
Kousik Roy



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

Notice for agitation

To
Sri P.C.Jha,
The Chairman,
Central Board of Excise and Customs,
North Block,
New Delhi.

Sir, Sub: Notice for agitation
The Inspectors of Central Excise are highly aggrieved by the inaction of the Ministry of Finance in resolving the legitimate demands made in respect of the following points.
1. The non rectification of anomaly in the pay scale consequent to the merger of 3 pay scales by the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 thereby placing the feeder cadre of Senior Tax Assistant and the promotional cadre of Inspector in the same grade pay.
2. The denial of notional fixation with effect from 01.01.1996 in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 6500-10500/-. The scale was granted on 21.04.04 in order to restore historical parity of pay scales with Inspectors of CBI & IB.
3. To review the clarification issued by DOE to CBEC denying the non-functional grade pay of Rs. 5400/- after 4 years of service in the grade pay of Rs. 4800/- to ACP recipient Inspectors.
4. Lack of initiatives to remove acute stagnation of the cadre of Inspector of Central Excise and for non inclusion of Inspector cadre organization in the restructuring committee.
5. Non - inclusion of Inspector cadre organization in the Anomaly committee.

The Central Executive Committee meeting of this Association held on 3rd & 4th of July at Chandigarh has decided to embark on an agitation programme from the 15th of July 2009 as per the enclosed schedule. We request you to take the initiative for an early redress of the issues raised.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Encl: Agitation programme. (Kousik Roy)
Secretary General


1. Lunch Hour Demonstration in front of Chief Commissioner’s/ Commissioner’s offices through out the country, that should start from 15th July and it will be observed on every Wednesday in every head quarters for one month.
2. 25th to 28th of August wearing of Black Badges and Lunch hour Dharna in front the above mentioned Offices.
3. Memorandum is to be submitted on 28th in front of All chief commissioners for onward transmission to the Ministry.
4. Sending of post cards to Cabinet Secretary and Finance Minister on 9th of September.
5. Lunch our demonstrations will continue on every week followed by massive poster campaign with the mention of a probable strike action.
6. Pay boycott on 30th of September.

(Kousik Roy)
Secretary General

Date : 08.07.09
Circular- 04/09

Comrades,
The CEC meeting of the All India Association held in Chandigarh from 3rd and 4th of July 2009. 17 circles and branches from all over the country attended the meeting and took part in deliberation.
The meeting was inaugurated by Chief Commissioner Sri D.S.Sra and presided over by our All India President Sri Arun Zachariah.P. the minutes of the 15th Convention held at Daman was read out by Com. Balraj and the house confirmed the same with some minor changes.
The Secretary General presented his action taken report to the house and the Treasurer Sri Suman Chakraborty also placed the statement of A/c before the house for deliberation. Besides this an opinion of the house was also sought for on the agenda of a one day token strike and a letter from the Secretary General. ITEF was circulated within the house on the above matter.
On 4th of July the proposal on restructuring was discussed at length and suggestion from different circles/ branches received, we shall finalise the proposal shortly and after submission of the same it will be circulated to every branch/ circle.
All the units took part in deliberation and the meeting decided that the Inspectors of Central Excise should commence an agitation on the following agenda:
1. The anomaly in the pay scale consequent to the merger of 3 pay scales by the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 thereby placing the feeder cadre of Senior Tax Assistant and the promotional cadre of Inspector in the same grade pay.
2. The denial of notional fixation with effect from 01.01.1996 in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 6500-10500/-. The scale was granted on 21.04.04 in order to restore historical parity of pay scales with Inspectors of CBI & IB.
3. To review the clarification issued by DOE to CBEC denying the non-functional grade pay of Rs. 5400/- after 4 years of service in the grade pay of Rs. 4800/- to ACP recipient Inspectors.
4. Proper measures should be taken to remove acute stagnation of the cadre of Inspector of Central Excise and Inspector cadre organization should be included in the restructuring committee.
5. Inclusion of Inspector cadre organization in the Anomaly committee.

The agitation programme would be as appended below.
1. Lunch Hour Demonstration in front of Chief Commissioner’s/ Commissioner’s offices through out the country, that should start from 15th July and it will be observed on every Wednesday in every head quarters for one month.
2. 25th to 28th of August wearing of Black Badges and Lunch hour Dharna in front the above mentioned Offices.
3. Memorandum is to be submitted on 28th in front of All chief commissioners for onward transmission to the Ministry.
4. Sending of post cards to Cabinet Secretary and Finance Minister on 9th of September.
5. Lunch our demonstrations will continue on every week followed by massive poster campaign with the mention of a probable strike action.
6. Pay boycott on 30th of September..
7. Third week of October office bearers will discuss about the feasibility of a strike action in the month of November.
In the entire period of our agitation persuasion will continue.

It was also decided that special initiative will be taken for
• Collection of D.D.O certificates within August 09 and
• Reorganisation of defunct circles and branches

The minutes of the meeting will be circulated shortly.


Comradely Yours
To


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

ON RTI

We had sought for the following information under the RTI from the Ministry of Expenditure.

a) The name of the Departments that have submitted proposals for up gradation of pay scales of posts in the pre-revised pay scale of 6500-10500 based on Clause (ii) of Section 1 of Part B or Part C of the First Schedule to the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 and the name of the posts for which proposals have been made.
b) Copies of the proposals submitted by the Departments as stated in (a) above may be provided.
c) The extracts of the note sheets of files in which the proposals referred to in (a) above were processed/ is being processed by the Department of Expenditure may be provided.
d) The copies of the queries made/ reply given to the Departments concerned in respect of the proposals referred to in (a) above may be provided

The CPIO rejected the application by stating that it is not feasible to trace out the formation unless the name of the department and the file no. is specified. In the 1st Appeal, it was informed that the Department received 24 proposals from 17 ministries and they asked the applicant to specify the name of the Department in respect of which the information is sought.
The second appeal filed came up before the Central Information Commission on 24.06.2009. The President and Secretary General appeared for the hearing. We argued that the Department has withheld the information and Commission ordered the Department to fix a date and make available the 24 files and allow the applicant to peruse and to take copies. The written order is awaited.