On 24th (Sat) and 25th (Sun) of August 2024, at Jaipur, the Central Executive Committee of All India Body of AIASCT met first time after formation of a new CEC (XVth CEC formed at Pune Convention in January 2024).
The meeting was graced by the Bhaskar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of Income Tax Gazetted Officers Association as the chief guest. It was also graced by Shri Santosh Kumar, the Secretary General of All India Central Excise Inspectors’ Association.
The meeting started with the welcome address by the Gen. Secretary of AIASCT, Jaipur Unit. Then the president of AIASCT, Shri B.P.K Reddy addressed the meeting. He emphasised on organising the root level movements as well as movement at all India level. In the issue of national pay parity with officers of other cadres from 01.01.1996 and other common issues, he invited the ITGOA to jointly form movement at all India level.
Shri Santosh Kumar, the Secretary General of AICEIA, in his speech pointed out that when the board is not considerate about the legitimate demands of the association, the association should move to the court for natural justice in respective of service matters. He also informed that AICEIA has already registered case in respect of on-going cadre restructuring. They are also considering moving to the court in respect of other impending issues like 4800 grade pay for Inspectors, All India Seniority etc. He also mentioned that we have too many associations in CBIC which have weakened our organisational structure.
Shri Bhaskar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of ITGOA pointed out that they have only two associations in Income Tax whereas CBIC have nearly 14 to 15 associations. It only creates divisions among the employees; hence the authority could easily tone down the justifiable demands of the employees. He also advised to create common forum in CBIC under which all the associations could move jointly. He also emphasised to organise the cadre at ground level.
Thereafter, Shri Sanjay Kumar, the Secretary General of AIASCT presented the Minutes of the Pune Convention, Action Taken Report by the Secretary General for the period after the Convention held in Pune. He also presented audited Accounts Statement for the period April 2022 to March 2024 & the Accounts position as on 30.06.2024 and Membership / DDOs & Subscription Dues from various units.
During Draft Resolutions / Points for discussions & approval of the CEC, the following important points were discussed-
National Pay Parity from 01.01.1996 –Brief Facts – There was a historical Pay parity, in 2nd, 3rd & 4th Central Pay Commission, between the Inspectors/equivalent and the Group B Officers (ITO/equivalent) in the CBDT/CBEC (DoR) with similar posts in Organized Accounts Service Cadre, Railway Accounts Service Cadre , GSI, CBI, IB etc.
The 5th CPC had disturbed this historical pay parity between the Inspectors/equivalent (1640‐2900 @4th CPC) and Group B Officers (ITO/equivalent; 2000‐3200@4th CPC) in CBDT/CBEC (DoR) with similar posts in Organized Accounts Service Cadre, Railway Accounts Service Cadre , GSI, CBI, IB etc. when the cadres in those Departments were unilaterally upgraded to 6,500‐10,500 and 7,500–12,000 whereas the equivalent cadres in CBDT/CBEC were initially been granted 5,500‐9,000 and 6,500‐10,500 respectively.
After prolonged agitation (under the banner of Coordinating Committee of the Departments of Revenue) and judicial intervention (Hon’ble Jabalpur CAT Order in the case of C.E. Department), a High power Committee was formed and acting upon its recommendation, the G.O.I. upgraded the scale of Group B Officers (ITO/equivalent) to 7,500/‐ ‐ 12,000/‐ from 6,500/‐ ‐ 10,500/‐ and that of Inspectors/equivalent to 6,500/‐ ‐ 10,500/‐ in the CBDT/CBEC (DoR) w.e.f 21.04.2004 (F.No.6/37/98IC) with prospective effect.
The notional effect from 01‐01‐1996, as demanded, was not granted in the CBDT/CBEC (DoR) whereas in several other Departments, under exactly similar situation, upgraded pay ( for payment on actual basis) with notional effect w.e.f 01.01.96 (the effect date of 5th CPC implementation).
It was intimated that the Board was positive about giving the effect of 01.01.1996. Shri Bhaskar Bhattacharya from ITGOA intimated that the CBDT file on the same issue is lying with Department of Expenditure (DOE) for final approval. The DOE has assured about positive result. So they are waiting as of now, else they would move to court filling a contempt petition involving persons liable for taking the call. The Secretary of AIASCT informed that they are keeping a close eye on the outcome.
Stagnation, Workload & Career Prospects: Different Zonal Members pointed out that a PPT has been circulated in respect of Care Restructuring Proposal. But its authenticity could not be verified. There was a detailed discussion on reduction of stagnation and promotion to the post of the Assistant Commissioner by the SG- Shri Sanjay Kumar. It was intimated that the AIASCT demanded additional 3000 posts for the Assistant Commissioners. It was proposed to stick to the demand. He also expected that the promotion to the post of ACs would take place within couple of months.
Further, it was discussed that the additional 2118 nos of post in the Grade of Assistant Commissioner was created to give relief to the stagnated cadre of central excise. But it was noticed that the officers of Central Excise/GST are getting promotion at the fag end of their career. Most of them are either rejecting promotion or getting retired within 2-3 years. But these further vacancies forgone or vacated by GST officers are being filled in the ratio of 13:2:1 with the Superintendents (Preventive) and Customs Appraisers. The customs formations are already better off than the GST formation in respect of promotional opportunities such as tax assistant joined in 2007 in customs formations are now promoted as Assistant Commissioners, whereas the 1992-93 batch of Inspectors of Central Excise are yet to be promoted as Assistant Commissioner. It is high time to retrospect whether the very purpose of creation of the 13:2:1 has been served or not.
Inclusion of promoted Assistant Commissioners on conditional basis and subsequently change in nomenclature of the Association: It was also brought up that lots of officers promoted to the grade of Assistant Commissioner from the grade of Superintendent Central Excise/GST have requested to admit and represent them under the umbrella of AIASTC, as they don’t have any separate from to raise their issues. It is also proposed that they may be accommodated after changing the nomenclature of the Association with some conditions to be sorted out.
Base cadre seniority from the Inspector grade: It was proposed the demand may be made for base cadre seniority from Inspector Grade to ease out disputes on inter-zonal seniority disputes. There are serious gaps of 8 to 10 years in promotions to the grade of Superintendents of same batch Inspectors at various cadre controlling zones leading to disparity in seniority of superintendents at all India level. It is pointed out that if the problem is not sorted out this condition would lead to serious hierarchy problem in near future. It was proposed that demand may be made to the Board to give one time promotion to the grade of Assistant Commissioner to all the superintendents affected from Inter Zonal disparity in seniority.
There were various other issues discussed at the meeting like ways to approach the cadre restructuring, all India Seniority list, and postings at SEZ formations, conduct of OCM and JCMs at regular intervals, Streamlining & consolidation of legal efforts / support related to various issues at different legal fora, Infrastructure & Working Facilities [Space, IT Infra – Computers / Laptops, Internet, Mobile -SIM, Air-Conditioning, Operational vehicles etc] for our cadre Officers.
AIASCT
Kolkata Zonal Unit