Thursday, July 2, 2015

CESA, MUMBAI, SALUTES PIONEER SHRI R C SHARMA

Shri R. C. Sharma joined the department as Direct Recruit Inspector of Central Excise, in the very first Batch of Staff Selection Commission in 1978. 

He hails from a small village in Haryana and landed in Kalyan, and in the earlier stages stayed in a dormitory. In the late 70's & early 80's, there was a large gap in the respect given to senior officers and to the newly recruited officers. No lower officer dared to raise any issue before the senior officers.  

Shri R C Sharma, founded the Central Excise Inspectors' Association in the erstwhile Thane Collectorate, later known as Mumbai-III Commissionerate.  He became the voice of the masses. No office bearer, present or past, reached his ability/calibre to deliver results to the cadre.

Shri R C Sharma started publishing in-house journals, namely "Sentinel" for the Inspectors Association and "Insight" for the All India Federation, for the dissemination of information about the activities of the Association.    

He was instrumental in the introduction of the official raising day of Central Excise since 1994 and observing 24-Feb every year as Central Excise Day. The letter he wrote to Board for this has been as it is been transcribed in Board Circular for the celebration of Excise Day.

In the history of Central Excise, he has called for an agitation on Budget Day in 1996. The Board sent a messenger to his residence at Panvel to convey that the demands of the Association have been accepted and to withdraw the call for agitation. He earned the presidential commendation award in 1994.  

He was successful in getting 2500 posts upgraded from Inspector to Supdt. He was also the first to book the first case in DEEC/DEPB scheme and expose the scam, which resulted in the Government being forced to withdraw the said scheme.

In the 1993 Bomb Blast case, he visited entire Marine & Preventive formation and submitted a detailed report to the Finance Minister & CBEC as well as to the Mumbai Police and fought for the dignity, safety of the officers posted to Marine & Preventive wing.

He was instrumental in the acquisition of 76 staff quarters at CBD, Belapur, and setting up of an office at P&P jetty. He always fought for the cadre and its officers, sacrificing his personal comforts, family life and career.  For the senior officers, he was an eye-sore, but for the cadre, he was always a saviour. Many agencies were engaged by his detractors to fix him, so as to destroy the leadership of the Association, but he remained unfazed and came out unscathed.

His sense and style of representation was so methodical, effective & marvellous, that the Administration was always on the back foot. He brought dignity to the cadre and gave strength to raise the voice against injustice without compromising dignity & interests of Revenue. Wherever he was posted, he left his footprints and his presence was felt.

Shri R C Sharma retired on 31-May-2015 as Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai, after putting in around 37 years of service.

The entire fraternity will miss him and CESA, Mumbai, salutes the pioneer of Mumbai Association for his selfless services, support and the capacity to lead from the front.

In the recent mega-function held on 26-June-2014, Shri R C Sharma was felicitated along with other senior officers of the Department.

The farewell of Shri R C Sharma, which was attended by his colleagues, friends and office bearers of Associations across the country, a few photos are annexed. The farewell speech will be uploaded shortly.







3 comments:

  1. Hats off to RC Sharma - that was a glorious life in the Department. I met him only once - 22 years ago, but the impression has not dented or withered by time.

    Wishing him a happy retired life - the best years are ahead.

    Vijay Kumar

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hats off to RC Sharma - that was a glorious life in the Department. I met him only once - 22 years ago, but the impression has not dented or withered by time.

    Wishing him a happy retired life - the best years are ahead.

    Vijay Kumar

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hats off to RC Sharma - that was a glorious life in the Department.---------------Pramod kumar singh Inspector, Audit-II ,Aurangabad

    ReplyDelete

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