F. No. AICEIA/Mumbai/Misc/2015                                      Date: 8^th October, 2015.

To,

The Chief Commissioner,

Central Excise Zone-I & Service Tax Zone,

Mumbai.

Respected Sir,

               Sub:-Improper utilisation of services of Inspector Cadre-reg.

               In the above matter your kind attention is invited on the sanction & working strength of Inspectors in Central Excise Zone-I is 740(SS) & 375(WS) and in Service Tax Zone is 690(SS) & 302(WS). Therefore, Inspectors are holding additional work to execute regular table work, time bond matters etc. in time which causes mental pressure and corresponding health problems. In spite of acute shortage of Inspectors, the two incidences are invited for your kind attention:-

1.       Please refer to the cited subject above. In this connection, it is brought to your kind notice that few commissioners are deploying inspectors for day-to-day protocol duty for receiving them from their place of residence till dropping them back. Whole day an Inspector is deputed for protocol duty of Commissioner. This is very unusual practice and the same was never followed in Mumbai. It is to submit further that the inspectors were used to provide protocol duty on special occasions in case of Dignitaries only as they may not be aware to map of city. Using of inspectors as protocol officer for day-to-day activities is not only a wastage of manpower but also a loss of Govt. revenue. The inspectors can instead be use for constructive work which may lead to generation of Govt. Revenue. 

Sir, it is very surprising that on the one hand Mumbai facing acute shortage of inspectors and on the other hand, the few Commissioners like Shri. S. K. Das, Commissioner, Service Tax-V and Shri. Yogendra Swaroop, Commissioner, LTU are showing feudal characteship by misusing Inspector as protocol officer which appears to represent colonial mentality and hindering the growth of the nation.

2.       It has also come to the notice of AICEIA, Mumbai in Air India Building (Service Tax-I & II), the inspectors are deputed for Tapal duty. As, inspectors are in Central Excise and Customs belongs to executive cadre, so, assigning tapal duty to Inspectors of Central Excise & Customs will de-motivating for the cadre will cause mental and social harassment.

               We, being a citizen of independent India, must ensure that the association shall protest in every possible way against every colonial practice and mentality in the organisation of CBEC. The Protocol duty and the Control Room Duty, which have been practising in every Commissionerate, are the remains of colonial mentality. The association is committed to the growth of its cadre, organisation and hence the nation. And, it is a strong belief of this Association that without eradication of colonial mentality in the organisation of CBEC, the cadre would not be to thrive and meet its true potential. So, the practice of protocol duty and the control room duty must be stopped.  It will be worth mentioning here that in reply of an RTI; the CBEC has informed that there are no statuary provisions for Control Room Duty (copy enclosed).

               Therefore, it is requested that kindly take a suitable step and stop this colonial and humiliating practice which has neither any statutory or legal basis nor has any relation to the revenue collection/generation. It is completely unproductive as well as wastage of Human Resource.

Hoping for best positive initiatives.

                                                                                            Yours faithfully,

                                                                                                      Sd/- 

                                                                                          (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                               General Secretary

                                                                                          AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

Copy to:-

1.  Hon’ble Member of Service Tax.

2. The Chief Commissioner, Central Excise Zone-II.

3. The Additional/Joint Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax Zone, PCC Office, Mumbai.

4. President / Secretary General of AICEIA.

                                                                                                   Sd/-

                                                                                            (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                                 General Secretary 

                                                                                           AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

                                                                   F. No. AICEIA/Mumbai/Misc/2015

                                                                   Mumbai, the 08^thAugust, 2015

To,

The Joint Commissioner of Customs (P),

R&I (Administration),

New Custom House,

Mumbai.

Sir,

            Sub:- Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) Meeting-reg.

          Please refer to your letter F. No. SD/INT/ADMN/I/61/2006-R&I dated 06.08.2015 on the above subject.

             In this connection, it is to inform you that a letter is given to the Additional Commissioner of Customs (P), M&P Wing, Mumbai under F. No. AICEIA/Mumbai/TPP/2015 dated 05.06.2015 enumerating the below mentioned point and a reminder was also submitted on dated 07.07.2015. 

             It is submitted that the strength of M&P Wing had been reduced from 158 to 106 after CR and further the working strength was still reduced to 80. As such, the officers of M&P Wing are facing huge difficulties in performing regular duties and the additional work as mentioned below which can easily be done away with. As such the below mentioned points are converted to agenda points:-

1)      Control Room Duty:-There is shortage of Inspectors in M&P Wing (80 working strength). The day control room duty is conducted by the officers of different Sections sitting in Everest House. The staff strength of each section has been reduced from earlier strength and in majority of the sections there is only one inspector. The inspector on Day CRO duty, the sections work of the individual officer’s gets accumulated and they have to clear it on the following days. The work of day CRO officer is as below:-

a)      To attend the some phone calls regarding miscellaneous inquiry,

b)      handing over keys of vehicles,

c)       issuance of Arms, if required.

               It is to mention that with regards attending of phone calls can be handled even by a Hawaldar. The issuance of arms which is once or twice in a year (i.e. the statistic of last two to three years) can be handled by the section in-charge of arms and ammunition. As regards vehicles, the same can be handled by MTO/PRO Superintendent.  In view of the above, it  is only the wastage of man power by deputing Inspector as CRO in day time, whereas the hawaldar/Sepoy are enough for day control room duty and  in case of  any difficulty/emergency, P.R.O/M.T.O. can co-ordinate/manage the situation.

2)     Special NRP duty:- Special NRP duty is conducted by M&P Wing, Mumbai on even days of every month. We cover the area of jurisdiction of R&I Wing during Special Night Road Patrolling (NRP). This special NRP was allotted to M&P Wing as there was not enough staff in R&I Wing. Now the strength of M&P Wing has been further reduced to 80 (working strength). Therefore, it is requested that R&I Wing may be directed to conduct special NRP duty which are part of their duty.

3)   Special Holidays duty:-  In addition to Control Room duty, the officers i.e. Superintendents and Inspectors are also deputed for Special CRO duties on holidays. Both of them sit in control room for performing the duties. Both of them perform the duties as mentioned in point 1 (a) to 1 (c). it is to submit that if the officers are required in emergency on holidays, they can be called by contacting them on mobile phone. The contact no. of all the officers is available in office record. Therefore, it is requested to discontinue the special holiday duty.

4)    Working strength of Inspectors:-  At present, the working strength of inspector is 80. Inspectors are facing heavy work load. It is requested that working strength of inspector should be maintained as per sanction strength i.e. 106.  

                                                                                           Yours sincerely,

                                                                                                    Sd/- 

                                                                                      (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                          General Secretary

                                                                                     AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

                                                           F. No. AICEIA/Mumbai/Misc/2015

                                                           Mumbai, the 31^st July, 2015

To,

The Commissioner,

Service Tax-VII,

Mumbai.

Sir,

             Sub :- Shifting of office premises of HQ. of Service Tax-VII Commissionerate -reg.

            Please refer to the visit of the officers along with members of the Inspectors Association (AICEIA) in the month of March, 2015 to the various offices/premises in New Mumbai for finalization of the premises for HQ. of Service Tax-VII Commissionerate.

            In this connection, I have been called by Shri Vishal Malani, Dy. Commissioner, Anti Evasion, S. Tax-VII, on 31.07.2015, and informed that premises of Satra Plaza has been finalised for HQ. of Service Tax-VII Commissionerate. I was requested to put my signature in token of agreement for the said Note/approval of the premises.

          Though I signed the Report in token of seen the same, I immediately conducted the meeting of the Committee members in the matter.  

        In the meeting of the Association it was observed that that proposed office (Satra  Plaza) is very far from Vashi railway station (around 3 km) and the public transport/Sharing Auto is also not available in that area. Non-availability of public transportation and inconvenient approach road will cause trouble to the staff apart from the monetary burden.

        It was, therefore, unanimously decided by the Association Members that the said premises should not be approved as new premises.

        However, It is also decided that as the premises above Vashi Railway Station is more convenient for all the staff and having more Parking Space (for road users) the same be suggested for approval.

                                                                                            Yours sincerely,

                                                                                                      Sd/- 

                                                                                         (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                            General Secretary

                                                                                        AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

Copy to:-

1. The Additional Commissioner, Service Tax-VII

2. The Joint Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax, PCCO, Mumbai

3. Shri Vishal Malani, Dy. Commissioner, Anti Evasion, S. Tax-VII

CESA Mumbai has invited to all members in the following function. All are requested to attend the function.

                                                                                     F. No. AICEIA/Mumbai/TPP/2014

                                                                                     Mumbai, the 05^th June, 2015

To,

The Additional Commissioner,

Marine & Preventive Wing,

Mumbai.

Sir,

             Sub:- Grievances of officers of M&P Wing, Mumbai-reg.

             With reference to the above subject. It is submitted that the strength of M&P Wing had been reduced from 158 to 106 after CR and further the working strength was still reduced to 87, the officers of M&P Wing are facing huge difficulties which are as mentioned below:-

1. Control Room Duty:-There is shortage of Inspectors in M&P Wing (87 working strength). The day control room duty is conducted by the officers of different Sections sitting in Everest House. The staff strength of each section has been reduced from earlier strength and in majority of the sections there is only one inspector. On deputing Day CRO duty, the individual officer’s table work got accumulated and they have to clear it on the following days.  The work of day CRO officer is only to attend the some phone calls regarding miscellaneous enquiry, handing over keys of vehicles, issuance of Arms, if required. Whereas the above work can be complied by a Hawaldar and the arms matter can be handled by the section in-charge of arms and ammunition. As regards vehicles, the same can be handled by MTO/PRO Supdt. In view of the above, it  is only the wastage of man power by deputing Inspector as CRO in day time, whereas the hawaldar/Sepoy are enough for day control room duty and  in case of  any difficulty/emergency, P.R.O/M.T.O. can co-ordinate/manage the situation. There is also precedence in Hyderabad Central Excise Commissionerate, where recently, Control Room duty for inspector has been spared by the Administration (copy enclosed).
2. Special NRP duty:- Special NRP duty is conducted by M&P wing, Mumbai on even days every month. We cover the area of jurisdiction of R&I unit during Special Night Road Patrolling (NRP). This special NRP was allotted to M&P Wing as there was not enough staff in R&I Wing. Now the strength of M&P Wing has got reduced to 87 (working strength). Therefore, It is requested that R&I Wing may be directed to conduct special NRP duty which are part of their duty.
3. Special Holidays duty:-  In addition to Control Room duty, officers are also deputed for Special holidays duty. Both of them sit in control room for performing their duties. Both of them have same kind of work. If officers are required in emergency on holidays, they can be called on contacting them on mobile phone. The contact no. of all the officers is available in office record. Therefore, it is requested to discontinue the allotment of special holiday duty.
4. Documents required for calculation of Pay Arrears:- There is a practice in accounts section of M&P Wing, Mumbai that they require drawn statement of previous years from the previous offices. Service book is an authentic record. Whatever entered in service book is suppose to be correct. Any information called for an officer, we generally rely on the information recorded in the service book. But in the case of calculation of pay arrears why the Accounts section are not relying on the service book. However, for calculation of pay arrears, only basic pay is required which is recorded in the service book per year (annual increment). The rate of DA and HRA is available in office records. In view of the above, it is requested to give the necessary direction to accounts section. 

                                                                                                      Yours faithfully,

                                                                                                              Sd/- 

                                                                                                  (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                                     General Secretary

                                                                                                 AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

Ref.:- AICEIA/GBM/2015                                                                   Date:    29^th   April, 2015.

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL BODY MEETING HELD ON 17.04.2015

         As scheduled a general body meeting was chaired by General Secretary on 17.04.2015 and the same was attended by Shri. Anupam Neeraj, President; Shri. Abhishek Kamal, Secretary General; Shri. Rajesh Kumar, Organising Secretary and Shri. Manish Verma, Treasurer of AICEIA and office bearers of AICEIA, Mumbai Circle at NACEN, Bhandup, Mumbai. During the meetings, All India office bearers also appraised the gathering, the latest developments and follow up taken by them on 35 point resolution of Central Executive Committee meeting, Kolkata held on 13^th and 14^th February, 2015.

         The minutes of the General Body Meeting are as under:-

1. Delay in conducting DPC for promotion to the grade of the Superintendent against the vacancies arising out of the cascading effect of the Cadre Restructuring and fixation of single unified date for reckoning of seniority in the grade of Superintendent:- The DPC has not been conducted in Central Excise, Mumbai Zone.  The DPC for the promotion of Inspector to the grade of the Superintendent has already been conducted in almost all the zones of Central Excise. Hence, Association may persuade local Administration and:-

                                I.            the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities to conduct the DPC on priority basis and without further delay.

                              II.            to protect the seniority in the grade of the Superintendents, of those Inspectors, who have been badly affected due to these inordinate delays.

2.  Control Room Duty:- In a few months, approx. 400 Inspectors were promoted as Superintendent and approx. 200 Inspectors have gone in ICT. There is acute shortage of Inspectors in the Commissionerate (i.e. approx. 900 inspectors in 22 Commissionerate). In last 10 to 12 years, it is a fact that neither armoury not any other sensitive issue is being dealt by the control room officer (CRO). The CRO only receive Senior most Officers and attend the some phone calls regarding miscellaneous enquiry etc. In fact, it is not dignified for a Inspector level executive officer to perform such a unwarranted, disregardful, wasteful & meaningless duty. Therefore, evidently, it  is only wastage of man power by deputing Inspector(an executive cadre officer) as CRO, whereas the hawaldar/Sepoy are enough for control room duty and  in case of  any difficulty/emergency, P.R.O can co-ordinate/manage the situation. There is also precedence in Hyderabad Central Excise Commissionerate, where recently, Control Room duty for inspector has been spared by the Administration.  Hence, Association may take strong initiative and persuade local Administration to discontinue the control room duty of the Inspectors.

3.  Inordinate delay in settlement of LTC/HTC, Medical etc claims: Time and again it is seen that LTC/HTC, Medical etc claims presented by an officer is kept pending without any valid reasons and no communication made to the claimant giving any reasons/discrepancy in the claim, on the pretext of high pendency of other works by A.O/ministerial staff in Accounts section. Hence, strict guideline may be issued for clearance of bill & the time limit of maximum pendency of such claims and effective implementation of it. Any deviation or negligence by competent staff in this regard may be dealt seriously by Head of the Office.

4.   Accommodation for newly joined Inspector:- It has been noticed that when a newly inducted Inspector join the department, accommodation remains the major pressing problem for him/her till he/she get a regular department accommodation, which is also not sure in current circumstances,  Hence, Association may persuade local Administration to arrange Transit Hostel for newly inducted Inspectors in department, as it a recurring issue emerges each time, when a new batch of inspector join the department. The administration may also be persuade for up gradation of deptt Quarters/dilapidated Buildings,  on priority, especially in Antop Hill quarters. New accommodation facility may also be provided in central & western region.

5.  Appointment of TA & MTS: There is a shortage of TA & MTS staff in Range, Division & Hqrs offices. Inspectors are compelled to do all the works. They are in over work load & acute mental pressure. Therefore appointment of TA & MTS staff required to overcome the work load & mental pressure of Inspectors.

                                                                                                                 Sd/-

                                                                                                    (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                                        General Secretary

                                                                                                   AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

Submitted to,

1. The Principal Chief Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax Zone, Mumbai for information and necessary action.

2.  The Commissioner, Central Excise, Mumbai-I for information and necessary action.

3.  The Additional Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax Zone, Mumbai for information and necessary action.

4.   President / Secretary General/ Organising Secretary of AICEIA.

                                                                                                                  Sd/-

                                                                                                           (ABHISHEK SINGH)

                                                                                                        General Secretary

                                                                                                     AICEIA, Mumbai Circle

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