Functioning in Service Tax Commissionerates in Zone – I – reg.

Central Excise Superintendents’Association Mumbai

Unit of AIACEGEO

(Recognized under F. No. B-12017/10/206-Ad-IV A dtd. 21-01-2008).

   V.A. Kolhatkar, President                 A.K. Sasmal-General Secretary

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

 

Ref : CESA/44/2013

Dtd.: 12.08.2013

Shri. V. Krishnan,

Hon’ble Chief Commissioner,

Central Excise, Zone – I,

Mumbai.

Respected Sir

          Sub: Functioning in Service Tax Commissionerates in Zone – I – reg.

          Apart from the inadequate and poor infrastructure problems faced by the staff, the issues causing difficulties in administering service tax law are being brought to the notice of the Administration time and again. Amongst these, many require a long term solution. However, some issues are to be resolved instantly as it is necessary to discharge the duties properly and also to ensure hassle free administration.

          CESA Mumbai submits the following issues which needs immediate attention of the Authorities in Service Tax administration and your goodself also:

1.   Providing I-Cards: It is brought to our notice that officers while going for survey, in field assessee are asking to show the identity. In Mumbai
Zone – I officers in Service tax are posted against the sanctioned strength as well as on loan basis. But no I –Card of service tax is issued to them. The I-cards are issued as of now according to Commissionerate posting. This causes confusion/doubts in the minds of assessee and embarrassing situation for officers.  All the officers in Service Tax to be
provided I-Cards immediately.

2.  Conveyance and other allowance for Survey and other field work: Service Tax officers are sent outside for field work like Survey, Audit and Anti Evasion operations etc. Further, they are instructed to personally deliver the letters issued under Section 87(b) to the Financial Institutions and also collect data, for which no vehicle is provided or travel allowance is paid to the officers in Service Tax formation anywhere to meet such expenses. In other words, by not providing vehicles and other incidental expenses or keeping funds for the same with Service Tax formation is an passive way of encouraging and giving scope for corruption by way of dependency on the tax payers for such necessity. This needs to be stopped forthwith and steps to make the funds available to meet urgent petty  expenses and vehicles/ TA DA allowance/Conveyance allowance be given to the officers posted in service tax This is necessary for refurbishing the image of the department and to motivate the staff by making them feel dignified while discharging their duty.

3.   Freezing of Accounts of the Tax payers as a measure to realize the Govt. dues:  The Chief Commissioner  vide letter dated 06.02.2013, had directed in clear terms that the freezing the accounts of the assessee has to be done by the officers not below the rank of Assistant/Deputy Commissioner. Besides, It also emphasized that the orders to be issued only in writing as per the Rule. However, it is brought to our notice that the Authorities are hesitating to implement it and directing verbally to their subordinate officers to issue letters for freezing of Bank Accounts. Kindly ensure that the above directions of Chief Commissioner are complied with in letter and spirit in the interest of revenue as the Asstt /Deputy Commissioners are the proper and authorized officers in the matter.

4.   Vehicles for preventive and Audit: At present there are no vehicles provided to Audit and Anti evasion teams for their official work, during visit as stated above. The Officers posted in Audit and Anti Evasion for both the Commissionerates are placed far away from the HQ, and their area of operation is very vast. The performance of both the sections are commendable and if proper infrastructure and vehicle is provided the officers can excel further which will definitely enhance the performance and also boost their morale. Hence it is requested that vehicle should be provided to each of these sections for official use under 1% incremental grant.

5.   Attendance in office on Saturday/Sunday/Holidays: We regret to bring to your kind notice that despite directions from your good office, circulated vide letter dated 06.02.2013, the same are not being implemented and it remains only on a piece of paper.  Kindly ensure that instructions given by your office are complied with.  The manpower of the sections should be increased instead of squeezing the existing staff by pressurizing to work day and night.  If any exigency demands then the Head of the Office may issue an Office Order and staff may be called accordingly and they may be suitably compensated by grant of CCL.

Sir, as the above issues do not require any major expenditure / sanction /approval from any higher office, directions are already issued, only it needs to be implemented and properly monitored.  We hope yours goodself will kindly intervene and resolve all the above issues which will definitely boost the disgruntled stagnated staff. 

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely

A.K. Sasmal

General Secretary

Copy to:

1.    Hon’ble Commissioner, Service Tax – I, Mumbai. For kind information & necessary action.

2.    Hon’ble Commissioner, Service Tax – II, Mumbai. For kind information & necessary action.