Friday, February 8, 2013

CESA MUMBAI CIRCULAR




Mumbai I,  II,  III, V,  Thane I, II, Belapur, Raigad, Customs Prev,, Service Tax – I & II Comm’te & L.T.U. Mumbai.
 



CIRCULAR No. 1/2013 OF CESA MUMBAI.

Dear Members,
The celebration of the New Year 2013 was cold because of the 16th December, 2012 New Delhi incident that shook the entire country. People came on road openly demanding safety, respect and dignity.  The Government was forced to wake up due to mass agitation.  The expectation of our cadre in the year 2012 of cadre restructuring, promotions etc. remained an illusion due to the constant systematic neglecting attitude of the CBEC.   The same remorse feeling is prevailing and the officers are retiring with sour heart.

SERVICE TAX: As the situation and the working condition in the Service Tax is alarming the steps initiated by CESA, Mumbai Unit to tackle the same are as under:

The Managing Committee Meeting of CESA, Mumbai was held at NACEN, Bhandup on 11.01.2013 and had a detailed discussion apart from other issues relating to Service Tax, Infrastructure, Work-load, Lack of supporting Staff and unruly behavior of the Senior Officers. In this regard, CESA, Mumbai has passed a resolution and forwarded it to the Finance Minister and copy endorsed to the Revenue Secretary, Chairperson and Member (P&V) & Member (Service Tax), C.B.E.C. The workload in the Service Tax as well as the Revenue has increased manifold. The Department does not have the vision how to mop-up the revenue and plug the leakage except giving threats to the field staff.  The Senior Officers have been sent to Foreign Countries to learn their tax collection pattern so that the same may be adopted here. India is basically an Agricultural Country and instead of spending Crores of Rupees on foreign travels, we should learn, at-least, from our own farmers. For example, in villages after harvesting the poor farmer carry their crops on their head and deposit in one place, the small time farmer carry their crops on bullock cart whereas the rich farmer carry their crops on tractors. The mode of carrying and using the carrier varies from head-load to bullock cart to truck. Many of us in our childhood have witnessed that no one can carry anything beyond their strength and capability whether it is head-load or bullock cart or tractor/truck. Sometimes it happens, the miser loads in excess which results in dropping of the grains. Similarly, we have also witnessed when excess grains are loaded in the cart, the bullocks are unable to carry, become breathless, kneel & collapse. When such incidence happens, the farmer realizes and immediately loosen the rope and bifurcate the load and transports it in multiple batches. Even the vision prevailing among the ordinary farmer is lacking at our top level.

The imposition and collection of Service Tax revenue started from 1994 with
4 services (now no services are left out except negative list) and now it has reached 2.5 lakh assessees and revenue up-to December, 2012 has touched Rs.30,000 Crores in Mumbai itself. With a skeletal staff, without increasing the Commissionerates / Divisions the administration is managing the show with the existing 2 Commissionerates and 6 Divisions. Even the condition of Service Tax wing of Raigad Commissionerate, having 10,000 assessees and yielding a Revenue of Rs. 500 Crores annually, is in the same apathetic condition without proper amenities, infrastructure end even without a regular Assistant Commissioner.  CESA made several representations and met several senior officers who are not sensitive to the issues, which compelled us to pass the resolution (copy annexed).

Ä  2/…
Address for correspondence
 

Shiv-Gaurav, Flat No. 10, Plot No. 16, Shiv Ganga Nagar, Ambernath (E) – 421 501.
e-mail : sasmal2011@gmail.com Tel. : (0251) 2603806; Cell : 09820950885



Ä  2  Ã

No officer should attend office on Saturdays/Sundays and Public Holidays except on exigency grounds or involve themselves in freezing bank accounts without authority of law. Similarly, no PRO work except protocol to be carried out. Do not carry your own laptop or request your colleague to share their chair/table/computer/printer/internet. Do not move from your office to any places unless the vehicle/facility/remuneration is provided to you. 

If situation doesn’t improve, be prepared to work in the open area of office premises on 22nd February 2013 to register our protest. Dear Members, Now the time has come to be bold and strong, and face the situation as the Administration except creating pressure tactics or issue threat of disciplinary proceedings to get the enormous work done without providing the basic facilities like working space, table & chairs, supporting staff etc... The Service Tax Commissionerate in Chennai and Banagalore was formed much later and they have their own premises, but it is shame that we still do not have our own premises.  We have tolerated enough, our safety and respect and dignity to be maintained.

A Tragic End of a Dynamic Officer:

We lost a dynamic officer Shri. S.P. Mane, Superintendent, Service Tax – I (Audit), Mumbai on 23.01.2013 due to heart attack. Condolence Meeting was held on 24.01.2013. CESA express its heartfelt condolences to the grieved family and pray the Almighty “Let the Departed Soul Rest in Peace and give courage and strength to the family”. A Telegram (copy enclosed) was sent to the Finance Minister copy endorsed to Revenue Secretary, Chairperson, Member (P&V), Member (Service Tax) of CBEC to express our agony.

TELEGRAM TO FM


In continuation to our letter dated 18.01.2013 (Resolution dated 11.01.2013 by CESA, Mumbai), while the ink of the communication is yet to dry, one more casualty in the cadre of Superintendent, one of the best officers posted in Service Tax, Mumbai – I passed away due to massive heart attack.

            This is yet another unfortunate incident stirring our souls.  The loss of Shri S.P. Mane at the age of 53 is an irreparable damage caused to his family, for which the callous attitude of the Service Tax Administration is solely responsible.

It’s high time for Hon’ble Finance Minister to intervene and sensitise the administration for immediate remedial action to avoid any further recurrence of such unfortunate incident.

         Dated: 23.01.2013                                                                                 CESA, Mumbai

Copy: Revenue Secretary, Chairperson, Member (P & V), Member (Service Tax), C.B.E.C., New Delhi.

Shri. S.P. Mane was one of the jewel of the Department who excelled wherever he was posted whether in Excise (Prev.) or Customs (Prev.) or Commissioner (Appeals), Service Tax etc.  He brought many laurels, appreciations on account of his excellent and sincere work.  Within a span of 10 months he single handedly detected Service Tax evasion of Rs. 30 crores revenue and got realized Rs. 21 crores.  Recently, he detected evasion to the tune of Rs. 10 Crores by Al Arabiya Airlines who have already paid around Rs. 9 crores.  Investigations of similar evasion of Service Tax by Singapore, Swiss, Gulf, Kuwait and Emirates Airlines are in pipeline.  Earlier he received appreciation for detection of unique modus operandi adopted by Hyatt International, and modus operandi circular was also issued.  He was a good colleague and friendly and was always helpful to those in crisis. 

For such an outstanding officer it is tragic to share that he had done his angiography on 12th January and was in office even on 21st January attending his work.  He got admitted on 22nd evening, by-pass surgery was scheduled on 23rd and before reaching the operation theatre he suffered a massive heart attack around 8:00 a.m. 

            Shri. Mane had applied for medical advance of around Rs. 3 lakhs.  Shockingly the application remained in the file as there was no grant.  This is the tragedy of a Superintendent who recovered around Rs. 30 crores and the department could not advance even Rs. 3 lakhs. 

            The departure of Shri. Mane has created a vacuum in the office which can be filed up by his colleague but the space in his family and home will always remain empty.

Ä  3/…



Ä  3  Ã

Felicitation function :

For the second consecutive year the felicitation of retired Superintendents was held: This time at NACEN, Bhandup for Superintendents retired during January to December, 2012.  Shri S.P. Bhadagaonkar aged 94 years who joined the Department in 1941 and retired as Superintendent in 1977 was also felicitated. A directory of all retired Superintendents of 2012 was also released by him. The felicitation function was reported in Tax India on line and CENGO India blog post and cesamumbai2013.blogpost.com.

CONCLUSION:

In our forthcoming Circular we will appraise you in detail as well as the call by the All India Body about the agitation programme and boycott of Celebration of Excise Day

Dear Members, the blood given by our fellow officers for Shri Mane, and his abrupt demise should not be forgotten.  Be serious to take care of your own health.  Take timely leave and medical check-up - do not postpone or wait for a crisis.

            Dear friends, your whole hearted participation supporting our resolution passed by CESA, Mumbai is expected and strive till the Administration wakes-up and redress our genuine grievances.

Encl : As above.


Mumbai, 28/01/2013.
Yours sincerely,
A.K. Sasmal
General Secretary






Rounded Rectangle: Updates :

Current position on CR and Ad-hoc regularization:

The Board is going to regularize the ad-hoc promotion in old ratio i.e. 6:2:1.  The UPSC has refused to conduct any fresh DPC and advised the “Board to make regularization of pending ad-hoc promotions first.  Board is going to make the regularization stating that subject to out come of the judgement on Contempt petition in Apex Court” (ii) The Secretary D.O.P.T. has stated that unless Expenditure is cleared the revised proposal on CR of CBEC, will not be placed before the Cadre Review Committee.  FMN is not in a mood to increase the staff strength since lot of expenditure have already been incurred for automation and computerization, then what is the justification for increase of staffs ?.  Board is unable to justify the same. However, Chairman has called for a meeting with A.I.A.C.E.G.E.O on 31st January. But in the present scenario nothing can be expected positively unless a mass agitation is launched.
 




































Ä  4/…



Ä  4  Ã

Ref. : CESA/12/2013.
Dated : 18.01.2013.
To
            The Hon’ble Finance Minister
            Government of India, North Block
            New Delhi

Respected Sir:

            Sub :  Resolution of CESA Mumbai dated 11.01.2013 – Reg.

We are encroaching upon your precious time for appraising you about the Administration of Service Tax Commissionerates of Mumbai and its terrible working condition. As several representations have yielded no result and improvements, with Commissioners, Chief Commissioners and Members have come and gone, but still the Administration is unresponsive. No vision exists as to how to cope up with the expansion of service tax base and the service tax collection in Mumbai which contributes a major share of the Union exchequer.  Also there is no mechanism to plug the evasion and check the increasing number of defaulters.

As the working condition of the field staff is deteriorating day by day CESA Mumbai has been compelled to pass a Resolution in the matter. We are bringing to your kind notice the contents of the Resolution for action.

With regards, Sir,
Yours sincerely,

A.K. SASMAL
General Secretary
Copy to :

1.         Hon’ble Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance, North Block, New Delhi.
2.         Hon’ble Chairperson, CBEC, Ministry of Finance, North Block, New Delhi.
3.         Hon’ble Member, Service Tax, C.B.E.C. North Block, New Delhi.
4.         Hon’ble Member, (P & V), C.B.E.C.North Block, New Delhi.
5.         Hon’ble Chief Commissioner, Mumbai Zone – I and Zone – II.
6.         Hon’ble Commissioner, Central Excise, Mumbai – I, II, III, V, Thane – I & II, Raigad, Belapur, Service Tax – I, Service Tax – II, M & P & L.T.U Mumbai.
7.         Secretary General, A.I.A.C.E.G.E.O. New Delhi.




Resolution of CESA Mumbai
CESA Mumbai in its Managing Committee meeting held on 11.01.2013 considered at length among others the burning issue related to two Service Tax Commissionerates in Mumbai.  Service Tax was introduced in 1994 with four Services, the ST branch started working from the 6th floor of the Mumbai-I Commissionerate at Churchgate building.  Subsequently, due to increase in the number of services covered, it started functioning from all the existing Central Excise Commissionerate in both the Zones of Mumbai.  The first full-fledged Service Tax Commissionerate came into existence in Mumbai in September, 2004 and it continued to function from the Churchgate office building.

In January, 2005 the sanctioned strength of Superintendents in M & P was reduced from 90 to 64 and 26 Superintendents were diverted and posted in Service Tax Commissionerate.  Thereafter, gradually the Administration diverted the officers and staff from Central Excise Commissionerates of Mumbai Zone – I, to cater the increased work load of Service Tax.  In September, 2010, Mumbai – IV Central Excise Commissionerate was abolished and in its place Service Tax – II Commissionerate was formed.  The existing 6 divisions of Service Tax Commissionerate was bifurcated and both Commissionerates were given three divisions each. 

With phenomenal increase in the assessee base, the workload of Service Tax has increased manifold. So is the collection of revenue.  Side by side, disputes and litigations have also increased.  However, in spite of huge work load and equally enormous amount of revenue, till date the Administration has adopted adhocism in every sphere of work relating to the functioning of the Service Tax Commissionerates

Ä  5/…



Ä  5  Ã

in Mumbai.  At the end of every financial year i.e. from December to March all the senior functionaries of the department from Delhi rush to Mumbai to mobilize revenue collection but when it comes to basic infrastructure they have miserably failed to pay any attention or to show any concern about the condition in which the officers of Service Tax are working.  In any of the Chief Commissioners Conference this burning issue was never part of the agenda; nor considered in any other high level meetings. The adhoc mode of functioning continues unabated despite several representations submitted in the past to all the concerned authorities.

Due to this apathy, several of our Colleagues and Officers have suffered irreparably damage to their health and some of them have even lost their lives.  Condolences were offered to the families of fallen colleagues and empty assurances were given time and again to reduce work load and to improve working conditions and basic infrastructure. But the Administration has failed repeatedly and we have now reached the nadir of our patience. The Administration has diverted 30% of the sanctioned strength of Superintendents from Central Excise Commissionerates of Mumbai Zone-I, i.e. Mumbai – I, Thane – I, Thane – II and Mumbai – V and posted them in Service Tax Commissionerates.  Such diversion of officers from Central Excise Commissionerate to Service Tax is causing serious stress to the Central Excise Officers since they are forced to take additional charge and perform the day to day work and statutory work in time.  Resultantly, the audit of the Central Excise formations, scrutiny, recovery and other time bound work are piling up and cannot be attended to in time.  To increase the suffering further, now Audit work of HQs has been transferred to Ranges in Zone I Commissionerates.

On Service Tax side, six divisions, 32 Audit groups and 31 Anti-evasion groups, and numerous cells in addition to the regular sections are functioning under the two Commissioners.  Each division is having more than 40,000 service tax assessees, and the skeletal staff posted there is required to manage the entire show. It is a matter of shame that there are no basic facilities to handle a total registered assesses of more than 2.5 lakhs paying revenue of more than Rs. 29000 thousand crores upto December, 2012. Less said the better about the efficiency, speed and the quality of ACES system and infrastructure related to it.  Apparently, functioning of the ACES system is of least concern to the Administration and has become non-operational resulting in statistics relating to number of Service Tax assessees / returns filed / SCNs issued etc. are not being properly/ correctly reflected in the system.

The work load of every Superintendent whether posted in the Division, Audit, Anti-Evasion or elsewhere is so heavy that it is humanly impossible to do justice to the mountain of issues and files. For almost two decades the number of service providers and the service tax regulations have been amended and expanded tremendously, but its enforcement and Administration in Mumbai is still being done on adhoc mode and managing the Administration as and where  basis. We are ashamed of the utter callousness of the Administration in dealing with the life and death situation prevailing now. The Administration has stooped to such a low level that they expect the diverted Central Excise Superintendents and officers even to carry their old furniture and computers/personal laptops to their newly posted Service Tax Commissionerate. There can be no two opinions about the total failure of the Administration in providing even the most basic infrastructure for effective functioning to its workforce, like office space, chair, table, computer, Officers, Staff etc.  Forget about minimum courtesy to provide even chair to Assessees who are visiting our offices.

Further, the utter lack of vision of the Administration is compelling the officers to attend office on Saturdays and holidays. The Administration is well aware that in the days of computer, mobile and email the officers are always connected and are working beyond office hours and even from home, trying their best to do justice to the overload of work but the Administration failed to provide network/LAN facilities. These very officers are already tired of working beyond working hours in an office bereft of basic infrastructure. The Audit and Anti-evasion groups/officers are asked to do their field duties without providing any vehicles or any travelling allowances.  Further, the Hqrs of both the Commissionerates are functioning from Churchgate while their Anti-evasion and Audit groups and other sections are functioning from Worli, Dharavi and old Customs house. These officers are also called

Ä  6/…



Ä  6  Ã

regularly from their respective office to Hqrs. and no transport facilities or traveling allowance / remuneration is given to them, apart from wastage of office hours.  The cost and stress of additional travel in Mumbai, coupled with the unacceptable behavior of some of the senior officers, is adding to the mental stress of the officers even to render their best. 

Thus, to conclude:

  • Several representations from Associations submitted to the Administration on basic infrastructure, work load and working conditions have failed to evoke even muted response;
  • the Administration has always been acting in an adhoc and casual manner;
  • the Senior officers who are duty bound to ensure healthy working conditions to their subordinates have repeatedly failed in their basic duty of protecting and taking care of their sub-ordinates;
  • due to lack of vision of Administrative powers that for almost two decades, the continued insensitivity and inaction, has taken a serious toll on the Superintendents and Inspectors in particular and staff in general;
  • the Administration has completely failed to foresee the magnitude of the assessee increasing in every passing day and the issues and problems that are arising thereon, and has completely failed to chalk-out an action plan and implement a healthy assessee-officer ratio; and proper mechanism for effective control and mop up revenue collections and also to check defaulters  

In the light of above,

CESA Mumbai UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVES -: THAT

Ø         The existing  Service Tax Commissionerates and Divisions in Mumbai be further bifurcated to form more new Commissionerates and Divisions, based on number of registered Service Tax Assessees;
Ø    Sanctioned Strength of Officers and Staff at all levels be fixed in direct proportion to the number of registered assessees;
Ø         Office premises be acquired to meet the requirements of all officers and staff.
Ø         work load of Superintendent to be quantified, proper duty list to be allocated and norms be fixed for each item of work with adequate support and sub-ordinate staff; 

Ø         the officers, especially from Audit, Anti-evasion and field staff on survey work, shall be provided with vehicle for carrying out the field work or the reimbursement of the traveling expenses;
Ø         no Superintendent be forced to interact or communicate under their signature with outside agency or banking institutions like for freezing of accounts etc.;
Ø         the role of the Superintendent is supervisory and it should be clearly adhered to;
Ø         No officer should be called to office on Saturdays and holidays unless there is  emergency situation; and no one should be asked to work  beyond prescribed office hours;
Ø    No leave of any kind should be denied to any officer;
Ø     The Senior Officers should not misbehave, ill-treat or use filthy language to the subordinate Officers. Such misbehavior, ill-treatment does not improve the efficiency but demoralize the officers.  Therefore use of abusive/filthy language will not be tolerated;
Ø     staff on loan basis be surrendered to Central Excise Commissionerates  and the strength of Marine & preventive be reviewed; and
Ø     If infrastructure situation does not improve, then we will be constrained to launch agitation and register our protest, by working in the open area of the office premises on 22nd February 2013.



V.A. KOLHATKAR                                                                 A.K. SASMAL
       President                                                                    General Secretary

Mumbai : 11.01.2013.


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.