AIASCT Kolkata Zone Participates in Central Executive Committee Meeting at Bhopal
The members of the Central Executive Committee of AIASCT, Kolkata Zone—Shri Raju Halder, President; Shri Nitesh Kumar, Secretary; Shri Devesh Shankar Srivastava, Treasurer; and Shri Nawnit Kumar, Joint Secretary (AIB)—along with Shri Santosh Kumar, President (AIB), attended the two-day Central Executive Committee (CEC) Meeting of AIASCT (All India Body) held at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on 12th and 13th September 2026.
The meeting provided an important platform for discussion and deliberation on various service-related issues concerning Superintendents of Central Tax and the wider workforce of CBIC.
Key Highlights of the Deliberations
1. Address by Shri Raveesh Kumar, Secretary General, AIASCT (AIB)
Shri Raveesh Kumar, Secretary General, AIASCT (AIB), thanked the dignitaries, delegates and the host unit for making the arrangements for the meeting at short notice.
He emphasised that Inspectors and Superintendents together constitute a major component of the CBIC workforce, while adequate efforts have not always been made to strengthen and improve the cadre.
He observed that while the country has moved towards GST 2.0, the promotional structure of the Department continues to face longstanding issues. Legitimate service benefits, including matters relating to Grade Pay of ₹5400 and pay fixation/benefits w.e.f. 01.01.1996, continue to require prolonged litigation in several instances.
The meeting stressed that promotions should not be unnecessarily held up merely because of pending court cases and that, wherever legally and administratively possible, such issues should be resolved at the departmental level. The stagnation in promotional avenues was also highlighted as a matter requiring urgent attention.
On infrastructure, it was pointed out that CBIC often indicates that proposals are not being received from field formations. The Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) should therefore be effectively utilised to raise and address infrastructure and other service-related issues.
2. Federation with Inspector Association
The meeting was apprised that a federation with the All India Central Excise Inspectors Association (AICEIA) has been formed.
The proposed FACTO will comprise 10 members—5 Superintendents and 5 Inspectors. Four positions will be fixed, including the Presidents and Secretaries General of the respective associations, while the remaining six members will comprise three representatives from each association.
The posts of President and Secretary General will be rotated annually between the two associations.
3. Cadre Restructuring
The meeting discussed the status of Cadre Restructuring. A committee constituted for the purpose has prepared a draft report, which is presently pending before the CEC. The Working Groups have also submitted their respective reports.
In view of recent changes in the Board, the matter will be pursued further and, if necessary, the prepared draft will be submitted before the appropriate authority.
4. 8th Central Pay Commission
AIASCT has already submitted its Report/Memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission, placing before the Commission the service-related concerns and demands of the cadre.
The matter will continue to be pursued at the appropriate level.
5. Pay Benefits w.e.f. 01.01.1996
The issue relating to implementation in rem and disbursement of arrears arising from pay-related benefits w.e.f. 01.01.1996 has been brought to the notice of the Board.
The matter will continue to be pursued for an appropriate resolution.
6. Victimisation of Association Office Bearers
Serious concern was expressed regarding instances of alleged vindictive or victimising action against office bearers of Zonal Committees.
Instances relating to Bangalore, Chennai and Bhubaneswar were brought before the All India Body. The CEC requested that such matters be taken up strongly at the appropriate level.
A proposal was also placed for constitution of a dedicated Grievance Committee to examine cases involving alleged victimisation of association office bearers.
7. Transfer & Posting of Association Office Bearers
The need for specific guidelines governing the transfer and posting of association office bearers was highlighted.
It was proposed that the President and Secretary of an association should, as far as administratively feasible, be posted at the Headquarters so that they can effectively discharge their organisational responsibilities.
8. All India Seniority List & Promotion to Assistant Commissioner
The issue of the All India Seniority List (AISL) of Superintendents and the holding of DPCs for promotion from Superintendent to Assistant Commissioner was discussed in detail.
The seniority and promotion process has been affected by ongoing litigation, including the Vadodara matter. The Department has sought quashing and setting aside of the CAT Ahmedabad Bench’s common order dated 18.02.2026 in O.A. No. 459/2022 and connected OAs, along with a stay on its operation and implementation pending final disposal of the matter.
The issue remains an important concern and will continue to be pursued.
9. Pending Bills and Arrears
It was decided that details of pending bills, particularly those pending for more than three months, would be collected through a Google Sheet and submitted to the Board for appropriate action.
10. Cashless Medical Facility
A proposal was placed for introduction of a cashless medical facility for serving employees, with the objective of reducing delays and hardship associated with medical reimbursement.
11. Search & Seizure – Digital Evidence
Considering the requirement under the applicable SOP to preserve video evidence during search and seizure proceedings, it was proposed that officers be provided with tablets equipped with an appropriate in-built application to facilitate standardised recording, storage and preservation of digital evidence.
12. Web-Based Training
The need for making high-quality training videos and web-based training resources readily accessible to officers was emphasised, with a view to strengthening professional knowledge and capacity building.
13. Abolition of Vertical System
The proposal regarding abolition of the existing vertical system was also discussed during the meeting.
14. AI for Official Use
The need for CBIC to develop an official Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool for departmental use was highlighted.
Such a platform could assist officers in accessing relevant information, improving efficiency and supporting various official functions, subject to appropriate safeguards and departmental policies.
15. Legal Assistance to Officers
The meeting discussed the need for providing appropriate legal assistance and institutional support to officers who, while performing their official duties, face legal action or proceedings arising from actions by members of the public.
16. Reservation for PwBD in Promotions
The issue relating to implementation of 4% reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in promotions was also raised for appropriate consideration.
17. AGT/Transfer Posting Portal
The Kerala model of an administration-run online portal for Annual General Transfer (AGT) was discussed as a possible reference model for implementation in other Zones.
Such a system could provide a structured and transparent mechanism for managing transfer and posting-related processes.
18. Delay in Reimbursement of Allowances
The persistent delay in reimbursement of various allowances and related claims was discussed. The need for an appropriate mechanism at the Board level to ensure timely processing and settlement was emphasised.
Moving Forward
The above represents only some of the major issues discussed during the CEC Meeting. Several other important service-related matters concerning Superintendents and the wider workforce of CBIC were also deliberated upon.
The detailed resolutions and minutes of the meeting will be shared with members in due course.
The participation of AIASCT, Kolkata Zone in the CEC Meeting reflects our continued commitment to raising the genuine concerns of our members, pursuing them collectively at the appropriate level, and strengthening constructive engagement on service-related issues.
We remain committed to keeping our members informed of developments and pursuing matters concerning the cadre with sincerity, consistency and collective effort.
With regards,
AIASCT, Kolkata Zone
