GEAR UP... OR.....PACK UP !!!

We are not content with our accomplishments but will strive & continue to try to achieve finality in all our pending issues.

Seniors, when they become more senior and get placed in North Block, seems to look at it as if they have fulfilled their ambition and nothing more needs to be done by them. 

Now there is a full compliment of Members in the Board, but delivery-wise have failed miserably and needs to be prove not only to themselves but also to their subordinates, that they are not lessor than their idols like Dutta, Gopalnathan, Zutsi, Majumdar, Ms. Shantisundaram, etc.  

  The year 2015 is full of achievements as far as CESA, Mumbai, is concerned. Due to our persistent efforts and all out co-operation from the respective Administrations, we were able to achieve / acquire …..

• 30th floor for LTU-Audit at World Trade Centre, Cuff Parade, Mumbai,
• Three floors at Lotus Building for Service Tax Audit I & II,
• Proposal at final stage for office premises for C. Ex. Audit-II at Vashi in MTNL Bldg.,
• Proposal for office accommodation for ST-V Comm’te. at BKC (erstwhile office premises of Sahara India – approx 70,000 sq ft.)
• Satra Plaza premises at Palm Beach Road, Navi Mumbai for Service Tax VII Comm’te.,
• Proposal in process for office premises for Thane-II Comm’te. at Kandivali,
• Renovation of Churchgate Bldg. interiors is in full swing,
• Renovation  of office premises at Bombay Garage, Laxmi Bldg. and staff quarters at various places, which were in dilapidated condition, is in progress,
• For all these, including office premises at Air India Bldg, Lotus Bldg; and renovations of offices at Dharavi, Mahaveer Jain Vidyalaya, Andheri for Service Tax, CESA is indebted to Shri. V S Krishnan, the then Chief Commissioner, Mumbai, and later Member(ST), now retired, in whose tenure all the staff welfare and improvement of various infrastructure reached its zenith, which can be termed as a Golden Period for Mumbai Zone.
• A mega project, at Kharghar, CIDCO plot (which was almost lost from our possession, re-possessed) comprising of 186 flats for all types with modern amenities are approved by Board as well as approval sent to MBEC for construction. For the said Mega Project credit goes to Ms. Arusha Vasudev, Ms. Deepa Dasgupta, the then Chief Commissioners, Central Excise Zone-II and Shri. Ajit Kumar, the then Commissioner, Raigad.
• Apart from the above there are other proposals, including M&P at Everest Bldg etc, which are in process.
  
  

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As  far as other pressing issues are concerned, their status is as under :-

Promotions : Due to the stalemate raised by Parliamentary Committee, the Board is unable to carry out DPC for promotions from Grp. B  to Grp.A

Several applications are pending before CAT at various places against holding of the Review DPC. Board has filed an application to bunch all the regional applications together before the Principal CAT Bench, New Delhi. Hearing is scheduled for the 08Jan2016 to decide whether to combine all OAs or not.

Due to the CAT cases, no promotions from Insp to Supdt happened. Around 430 posts of Supdts. are lying vacant.

There is massive shortage of Insps. - around 1250 posts are lying vacant. Similar is the status of officers in the ministerial cadre.

Seniority as per Parmar Case : Due to our consistent efforts, in spite of several hurdles, finally Board has agreed on 15/12/2015 that the DOPT has concurred with the CBDT proposal and agreed on the OM dated 7/2/1986. On the same analogy, Board has asked all the CCAs to furnish the details to re-fix the seniority. CESA, Mumbai has filed two applications before Mumbai CAT for re-fixation of the seniority – one from 1986 and another one from 1981. As Board has already concurred with the DOPT's OM of 1986, the positions from 1986 shall be streamlined. But the position from 1981 is to be contested so that the Mumbai Officers will be benefited at par with other zones. Both the applications are listed for hearing on 18-Jan-2016.

M A C P : In our earlier Blog we have carried the details; again we met the Dy. Controller of Accounts, PAO, West Zone, Mumbai and handed over another write-up, as desired, on 23/12/2015. In the said communication it was insisted upon that “to intimate whether the grant of Grade Pay of Rs.6600/- to similarly placed officers can be considered by the CCA as certain PAOs are granting the same to the officers within their jurisdiction.” It was assured that a communication to allow uniformity to prevail will be issued.

M & P : As represented M&P Admn. has agreed to provide vehicle for each circle fitted with beacon and demanded official vehicle (departmental owned) for preventive/Anti-smuggling purposes. Officer has to carry fire arms while conducting NRP/JSP duties. Young Insps. to be posted and not to keep vacant positions which is causing inconvenience in patrolling.  CESA, Mumbai resisted the attempt to hand over minor ports to Customs as our Central Excise officers are more competent, skilled and experienced as compared to Customs.

Vigilance : A large number of officers, from erstwhile Thane-I Commissionerate, who were languishing for want of / delay in the submission of the IO's report. These have been followed-up meticulously by the Association and all the IO Reports have now been submitted to the DA for further action.

CESA, Mumbai is unhappy with-respect-to the quantum of funds allocated under the IT and Medical Treatment Heads. Because of fund constraints various offices are lacking sufficient number of computers which ultimately cost efficiency. Large number of Medical Claims are sanctioned but not paid. Officers are coerced to borrow to meet the emergency expenditures with no alternative. Ultimately, it demotivates the staff and the frustrations increase. 

Within the limitations CESA, Mumbai has tried its best to represent, without any reservations, not only the Supdt. Cadre but all the cadres of Mumbai Zone, whenever any issue emerged, both at the local level as well as the Board level. 

Issues like promotions and irregularity in granting MACP, which is pending at the Board’s level needs action by the All India Body. In 2014, CBEC felt the departure of Ms. Shanti Sundaram madam and in 2015, CBEC shall be missing the presence of Shri. V S Krishnan, who remains as an icon in the heart of every officer, being head of the family.

Before bidding goodbye to 2015, CESA, Mumbai is thankful to one and all who have contributed / participated in our efforts and reposed faith in us. With the same determination, strong vigor and aspirations, CESA, Mumbai welcomes 2016 to bless and prosper all of us.

JAI HIND !!

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