Grand Success of GST protest

On Martyrs Day, Officers of CBEC are forced to wear black bands/badges, to protest against some of the decisions taken by the recent GST Council headed by the Hon'ble Finance Minister.

The Associations under CBEC observe that the said decisions are heavily tilted towards the states which does not augur well for the sovereign function of the Centre to levy and collect taxes. While extending their support for successful and smooth implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Associations felt that the decisions were not rational.

However, in the present setup of things and the decisions which have been taken in the recent meeting of the GST Council, it is felt that the basic structure of the scheme is being compromised and the same may lead to utmost chaos which may be detrimental not only to the revenue but also to the industry, trade and commerce in general, as well the interest of the service of the all employees.

The Council had in its January 16 meeting agreed to give states the powers to levy tax on economic activity within 12 nautical miles of territorial waters and to administer 90 per cent of the tax payers under Rs 1.5 Crore annual turnover besides certain provisions of Integrated GST. These and other decisions are detrimental the very existence of the huge work force under Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). All the employees from top to bottom feel that there is an urgent need for their review.

Being a responsible officer of the esteemed organization, who have a history from the freedom era to liberalization till demonetisation, believe in Constitutional methods of protests to make their voices heard and to draw the attention of the decision makers. It is hoped that the action plan of the movement of wearing of black bands/badges by officials of CBEC on January 30 - Martyrs Day, will have an impact and will force them to review the decisions taken.

The response in Mumbai (in all the offices - from the city to the suburbs) was spontaneous. At a short notice, all the officers concerned, rose to the occasion, actively participated in the protest.

It is hoped that the All India body will take stock of today's protest and will chalk out the future course of action by taking all staff Associations including Inspector of Central Excise Federation  into confidence. It should be more methodical, so that it will be more forceful. Let us be UNITED in this...

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