Tuesday, April 11, 2017

No hasty slice please

Ref :    CESA/20/2017
Date : 10.04.2017

Hon’ble Chief Commissioner,
Central Excise, Zone-I,
Cadre Controlling Authority,
Mumbai.

Respected Sir,

Sub: - Proposed restructuring/reorganization of Department consequent
to rolling out GST from July 2017 – reg. 

            Sir, as we all are aware that major tax reforms of the Century is taking place in our country and in all probability the GST will be made effective from June/July 2017. This historic event will require administrative changes as well as organizational changes in the entire formation.
           
Though the officers had given their support to rollout GST successfully and have undergone training for the same, the Cadre officers, being human, their nature is always apprehensive to the coming changes and this makes them worried as to how they will perform and how it will affect their day to day functioning.
           
The life in Metro and the suburban area of Mumbai has its own impact on each one of us, especially as commuting to & from office is full of woe. Advantages and disadvantages are there, but everyone has to manage their best under the given circumstances. The members of CESA are also worried, considering the past experiences. Hope that in the near future, all these apprehensions, as what will be the structure, how the staff will be deployed in the new tax regime,etc., will be set to rest.

The factor most affecting, both the trade as well as staff in the field, is the infrastructure provided, which always has been a grey area with even basic amenities of office becoming a cause of struggle, for the lower staff. CESA suggests and requests that immediate steps be taken so that all the infrastructure issues are sorted out on priority basis. If required, the stake holders may also be involved in the process of deliberation and inviting suggestions in the matter.

            Board has finalized the number of Commissionerates in our Zone i.e. 11 Executive Commissionerates with 650 Ranges, 5 Audit Commissionerates and 5 Commissioner (Appeals). While finalizing the Headquarters office and its Division/Range/Circle, adequate precautions be taken, so that it is convenient, both for the trade as well as field staff, majority of whom resides at far away suburbs of Mumbai (from the commutation point of view). For example, theCommissionerateof Thane/Thane rural/Bhiwandi/Palghar are having jurisdiction which are adjacent to each other. So is the case with the Commissionerates of Mumbai East/South/Central/West and Raigarh, Belapur&Navi Mumbai.

            Although Board has finalizedthe number of Commissionerates/Directorates and other subordinate offices,we feel that the Administration does not have proper data,either as to how much of the assesse-base will be lost to the State Administration or how much of the business activity will be gained by us. Hence, the Association feels that it is premature at this juncture to go in for reorganization.

The traditional method of bifurcation of the jurisdictions, as happened during the Cadre Restructuring of 2014, will not be applicable now. Further, the new tax regime will be based on the concept of ‘principal place of business’. Mumbai will have a major share, whereas the activity in the Commissionerates ofPalghar, Bhiwandi, Thane rural, Belapur will remain only in name, as the major taxpayers in these Commissionerates have their Headoffices and therefore ‘place of business’ in the city of Mumbai.Also, various large taxpayers, now attached to LTU-Mumbai, needs close consideration, while creating / shaping Commissionerates. Revenue and the work load of each Commissionerate will not be uniformly even, by any yardstick or parameter.

            We are also aware that our current network system is incapable to cope with the new system. For the failure of the system and lack of its upgradation,the officers are being subjected to harassment. Hence, this aspect may also be looked into.

            We understand that change is an important part of life, but if it is done after taking into confidence,all the constituents, then the process of change is smooth and good for the entire organization and its stake holders.But if the same is done unilaterally, then it becomes a cause of unrest and resentment.

We hope that the Administration will not allow the situation to degrade to such an extent and the Administration, under your kind control, will involve all the Staff associations to be part of the deliberation and will move with pace to adopt the changes, for the betterment of all.
           
Thanking You,

Yours sincerely,

A.K. SASMAL
General Secretary


CC :The Hon’ble Chief Commissioner, Central Excise, Mumbai Zone-II  &

Chief Commissioner,  Service Tax, Mumbai Zone – For kind Information & necessary action.

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