AIASCT CEC Reviews Three Months of Progress; Charts Future Course

 Dear Members,

Warm greetings to all of you!

As informed earlier, an online meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the All India Association of Superintendents of Central Tax (AIASCT) was convened on 11th July 2026 on completion of the first three months of the tenure of the present Central Committee. Representatives from Units across the country participated in the meeting and deliberated on various organisational and service matters concerning the cadre.

The Minutes of the Meeting, incorporating the discussions, resolutions and decisions taken by the CEC, are now presented for the information of all members.

The Secretary General placed before the CEC the report on the activities undertaken by the All India Body during the first three months of the tenure of the present Central Committee, which had already been shared with the members through the Association's blog on 11th July 2026. The ensuing discussion centred on the major initiatives taken by the Association, including follow-up with the CBIC on the All India Seniority List (AISL), promotion to the grade of Assistant Commissioner, Cadre Restructuring, the 8th Central Pay Commission, legal initiatives and organisational strengthening. The Treasurer thereafter apprised the CEC of the Association's financial position and the progress made towards renewal of its recognition.

Representatives from various Units shared their views on organisational and service matters. The discussions primarily focused on the urgent need for early finalisation of the AISL, timely conduct of DPCs, cadre restructuring, prevention of victimisation of office bearers, strengthening of Units and better coordination across Zones. Members also discussed a future strategy to pursue these issues through sustained engagement with the Board while keeping organisational options open if necessary.

After detailed deliberations, the CEC unanimously resolved:

Ø that the All India Body shall continue to accord priority to the early finalisation of the All India Seniority List (AISL), conduct of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), Cadre Restructuring, prevention of victimisation of office bearers, organisational strengthening, and other service matters affecting the cadre.

 

Ø that sustained engagement and continuous dialogue with the Board and other competent authorities shall remain the Association's primary strategy for securing the early resolution of these issues. However, if no meaningful progress is achieved within a reasonable time, particularly in respect of the AISL and DPC, the All India Body, in consultation with the Central Executive Committee, shall initiate appropriate organisational programmes, including lawful and peaceful agitational measures, in a phased manner to safeguard the legitimate interests of the cadre.

To further strengthen the organisational framework, the CEC unanimously approved the nomination of Shri Ajit K. G. as Secretary (Legal) and Shri Amar Anand as Organising Secretary. The Secretary General also nominated Shri Raju Halder from Kolkata Unit and Shri Sanjay Kumar from Pune Unit as members of the Core Committee in accordance with the Constitution of AIASCT.

The CEC welcomed the proposal of the Bhopal Unit to host the next physical meeting of the Central Executive Committee. After deliberations, it was unanimously resolved that the next CEC Meeting would be hosted by the Bhopal Unit, with the exact dates to be finalised by the President and the Secretary General in consultation with the host Unit.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to work collectively for the welfare of the cadre and to pursue the Association's priorities with unity, dedication and sustained engagement with the authorities.

Fraternally Yours,

Rabish Chandra
Secretary General

Click here for the Minutes of Online CEC Meeting held on 11the July 2026 

AIASCT's Ranchi Visit: Constructive Meeting with Hon'ble MoS for Defence and Valuable Interaction with Members of Bihar & Jharkhand Unit

Dear Members,

As part of AIASCT's continued efforts to pursue the service interests of the cadre, I had the opportunity to visit Ranchi, Jharkhand. A key highlight of the visit was meeting with the Hon'ble Minister of State for Defence and Member of Parliament from Ranchi, Shri Sanjay Seth. During the visit, I also had the opportunity to interact with members of the Bihar & Jharkhand Unit.

MEETING WITH THE HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

During the visit, I had the privilege of meeting the Hon'ble Minister of State for Defence and Member of Parliament, Shri Sanjay Seth. I was joined by our Vice President (East), Shri Sanjeev Kumar Jha, and together we apprised the Hon'ble Minister of the key issues affecting the cadre.

AIASCT delegates with the Hon'ble MoS for Defence

The delegation highlighted the prolonged stagnation faced by Superintendents, the continued delay in finalisation of the All India Seniority List (AISL), which has consequently held up the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion to the grade of Assistant Commissioner.

A detailed representation was submitted requesting the Hon'ble Minister to extend his support by taking up these issues with the concerned authorities in the Ministry of Finance to facilitate their early resolution.

The meeting reflects AIASCT's continued endeavor to pursue the timely resolution of issues affecting the career progression and welfare of the cadre of Superintendents of GST & Central Excise.

INTERACTION WITH BIHAR & JHARKHAND UNIT

During my visit, I also had the pleasure of interacting with members of the Bihar & Jharkhand Unit. The meeting provided an opportunity to brief members on the initiatives and follow-up actions undertaken by the All India Body over the past few months on various cadre-related and organisational issues.

The interaction was equally valuable in understanding the views, suggestions and expectations of members. The constructive inputs shared during the discussion reaffirmed the importance of maintaining close coordination between the All India Body and Units across the country. Such interactions enable the Association to represent the collective voice of the cadre more effectively and ensure that members' concerns continue to guide its priorities.

I sincerely thank the Bihar & Jharkhand Unit for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended during the visit. I deeply appreciate the valuable suggestions shared by the members and look forward to working together for the continued progress and strengthening of our Association.

Moving Forward Together

AIASCT remains committed to pursuing every legitimate issue affecting its members through constructive dialogue and continuous engagement with the Government and the Department. At the same time, regular interactions with members across the country remain central to the Association's functioning, enabling the All India Body to represent the collective voice of the cadre more effectively.

The Ranchi visit reinforced the importance of both these objectives: strengthening organisational unity and ensuring sustained advocacy for the timely resolution of cadre-related issues. With the continued support and active participation of members, AIASCT will persist in its efforts to secure meaningful progress on matters that are vital to the career advancement and welfare of the executive cadre.

Fraternally Yours,

 

Rabish Chandra

Secretary General

AIASCT

Constructive Engagement with the CBIC Chairman: AIASCT Follows Up on Key Cadre Issues

 

Continuing its sustained efforts to address the long-pending service concerns of the executive cadre, AIASCT President Shri Santosh Kumar, along with the office bearers of the AIASCT Kolkata Unit, called on the Chairman, CBIC, during his visit to Kolkata. Under the leadership of the AIASCT President, the delegation held a constructive discussion with the Chairman on several important cadre-related issues affecting officers across the country.

The meeting provided an opportunity to follow up on several long-pending cadre-related issues that had earlier been taken up by the Association with the Hon'ble Chairman during its meeting in New Delhi. The discussions primarily focused on Cadre Restructuring, finalisation of the All India Seniority List (AISL), conduct of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), the N.R. Parmar issue, Review DPC in Kolkata Zone and infrastructure and workload-related concerns.

AIASCT President and Office Bearers of Kolkata Unit with the Chairman, CBIC

CADRE RESTRUCTURING

The Association reiterated its request for the early implementation of Cadre Restructuring, recalling the assurance given by the Hon’ble Chairman during the earlier meeting in Delhi that AIASCT would be invited for a detailed discussion once the High-Level Committee submitted its report. During the meeting, the Chairman informed the delegation that the Committee's report is yet to be placed before him. He further assured that after examining the report, the Board would consider the Association's demands and hold a detailed discussion to address the outstanding issues.

AISL AND DPC – HOPE FOR LONG AWAITED PROMOTIONS

The issue of finalisation of the All India Seniority List (AISL) and the consequential Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion to the grade of Assistant Commissioner was discussed in detail.

The Chairman informed the Association that the Vadodara Chief Commissionerate would be filing an appeal in the related matter. Simultaneously, the Review DPC from the Ministerial Cadre to Inspector has already been initiated by Delhi and the exercise is expected to be completed at the earliest. He further indicated that the DPC process is likely to be completed within the next three months.

The Association earnestly requested that the DPC be conducted without further delay, highlighting the plight of officers who have rendered nearly 35 years of dedicated service and are still awaiting only their second promotion. AIASCT emphasised that timely completion of the promotion process is essential to address decades of stagnation experienced by the executive cadre.

N.R. PARMAR ISSUE – NEED FOR UNIFORM IMPLEMENTATION

The Association sought clarity regarding the Board's position on the implementation of the N.R. Parmar judgment for the period prior to 2012, noting that multiple Zones continue to face litigation due to varying interpretations.

The Chairman clarified that the Board is bound by the policy and instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) and cannot take a position inconsistent with those instructions.

REVIEW DPC IN KOLKATA ZONE

The delegation also raised the demand for holding a Review DPC in Kolkata Zone, informing the Chairman that representations had already been submitted by all Associations to the Chief Commissioner.

The Chief Commissioner, Kolkata Zone, who was present during the meeting, assured the Association that the matter would be examined appropriately.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKLOAD RATIONALISATION

The Association also discussed infrastructure requirements and the uneven distribution of taxpayers among various Ranges.

The Chairman informed the delegation that proposals relating to infrastructure received by the Board have either already been sanctioned or are under active consideration. Regarding the imbalance in taxpayer distribution, he observed that the issue could be addressed at the Zonal level and is also expected to be taken care of through the Cadre Restructuring exercise.

LOOKING AHEAD

Owing to the limited time available, several other important service matters could not be discussed during the interaction. The Association hopes to take them up during the next meeting with the Hon’ble Chairman.

The meeting concluded on a positive and encouraging note. While several issues remain under consideration, the interaction reflects the continued engagement between the Association and the Board on matters of vital importance to the executive cadre.

AIASCT will continue to pursue these issues with sincerity, persistence and constructive dialogue, while keeping members informed of every significant development. The Association remains committed to securing timely solutions to the long-pending concerns of its members and ensuring that their legitimate expectations receive due consideration.

Three Months of Purposeful Progress: Together Towards a Stronger AIASCT

 Dear Esteemed Members of AIASCT,

Warm greetings to all!

With the completion of three months of the tenure of the present Central Committee on 13th June 2026, the progress made during this initial period was reviewed in an online meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) convened on 11th July 2026. The Chief Office Bearers of Units from Units across the country and members of the Central Committee (All India Body) participated in the meeting and deliberated on the action taken by the Central Committee on various organisational and service matters. They offered valuable suggestions and constructive guidance, besides discussing the future course of action and strategies for effectively pursuing the issues affecting the cadre. The deliberations reflected the democratic functioning of our Association and reaffirmed the collective resolve of the leadership to work in close coordination for safeguarding the legitimate interests of our members.

As we complete the first three months of our tenure, I consider it appropriate to share with our members a brief account of the important decisions taken, activities undertaken and significant developments concerning the Association during this period. While three months is a relatively short period in the life of any organisation, the Central Committee has endeavoured to translate the mandate received at the XVI All India Convention into meaningful action through collective leadership, constructive engagement with the administration and continuous interaction with our members.

During this period, Team AIASCT actively engaged with the Chairman, CBIC, Member (Administration), DGHRD and other senior officers of the Department on issues of critical importance to our cadre. The long-pending All India Seniority List (AISL) and the consequential Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) have remained our foremost priority. Through successive meetings, detailed representations and continuous follow-up, the Association consistently impressed upon the authorities the urgency of resolving these issues without further delay. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Association also sought the intervention of the Revenue Secretary to facilitate expeditious finalisation of the AISL and early conduct of the DPC.

Cadre Restructuring has been another major area of focus. The Association constituted its own Cadre Restructuring Committee, invited suggestions from members across the country, submitted its preliminary inputs to DGHRD and sought greater transparency and meaningful stakeholder consultation in the restructuring process. Our endeavour has been to ensure that the restructuring exercise not only addresses the functional requirements of the Department but also provides meaningful career progression by tackling the long-standing issue of stagnation in the executive cadre.

The Association also effectively represented the concerns of the cadre before the 8th Central Pay Commission, placing emphasis on pay parity, NFUG, MACP and other long-pending service issues. We remain hopeful that the concerns placed before the Commission will receive due consideration.

On the organisational front, the Central Committee has worked towards strengthening AIASCT through regular meetings of the All India Body, improved communication with members, greater transparency in functioning and enhanced coordination among Units. A significant organisational achievement during this period has been the successful progress towards the formation of the Federation of Associations of Central Tax Officers (FACTO), which is expected to provide a stronger collective platform for pursuing issues of common concern affecting executive officers. The Central Committee also successfully discharged important organisational responsibilities, including the conduct of the Mumbai Unit elections, thereby further strengthening the democratic traditions of the Association.

The first three months have therefore been a period of laying a strong organisational foundation while simultaneously pursuing the most pressing issues affecting our cadre. Although several of these issues are yet to reach their logical conclusion, the Central Committee has ensured that they remain firmly on the agenda of the Government and the Board through sustained engagement, well-reasoned representations and continuous follow-up.

Dear Members, we are fully conscious that the road ahead is both challenging and crucial. Finalisation of the AISL, early conduct of the DPC, meaningful Cadre Restructuring and favourable recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission continue to remain our foremost priorities. We remain committed to pursuing these issues with perseverance and determination. At the same time, we firmly believe that the success of our collective efforts depends not only upon the initiatives of the Central Committee but equally upon the unity, confidence and active participation of every member of our Association.

As we move forward, let us continue to remain united in purpose, constructive in our approach and resolute in our commitment to securing justice, dignity and better career progression for every Superintendent of Central Tax. Together, we can build a stronger organisation capable of effectively representing the aspirations of our cadre.

On behalf of the entire Central Committee, I once again express my heartfelt gratitude to all our members, Unit Office Bearers, Central Executive Committee Members and the All India Body for their continued trust, valuable guidance, cooperation and unwavering support.

Let us move forward together, with unity in purpose, strength in organisation and confidence in our collective future.

With fraternal regards,

Rabish Chandra
Secretary General
All India Association of Superintendents of Central Tax (AIASCT)

Click Here to View REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
(On the Decisions Taken, Activities Undertaken and Important Developments During the First Three Months of the Present Central Committee)

The Wait Must End!

 AIASCT seeks the Revenue Secretary's intervention for AISL & DPC.

Dear Esteemed Members,

Warm Greeting!

The pursuit of justice for our cadre continues with renewed resolve. As part of our sustained efforts to address the long-standing issues of All India Seniority List (AISL) and conduct of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion from Superintendent to Assistant Commissioner, the Association has now taken the matter to the highest level in the Department by submitting a detailed representation to the Revenue Secretary seeking his intervention for an early resolution.

A Cadre Grappling with Unprecedented Stagnation

The Superintendent cadre is today witnessing one of the most prolonged phases of career stagnation in its history. A large number of officers are retiring after rendering more than 30 years of dedicated service with only one regular promotion in their entire career. This is not merely a question of delayed promotions—it is a matter of fairness, equity and recognition of decades of dedicated service.

The continued non-finalization of the AISL has consequently delayed the DPC for promotion to the grade of Assistant Commissioner, depriving eligible officers of their legitimate career progression. Every passing month sees more officers retire without receiving the promotion they rightfully deserve, resulting in an irreversible loss that no subsequent financial benefit can fully compensate.

1,534 Vacancies Demand Immediate Attention

One of the key concerns highlighted in the representation is that, as per the Disposition List (SS-WS) as on 01.06.2026, there are 1,534 vacancies in the grades of Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, the majority of which are promotional posts. Despite the availability of such a substantial number of vacancies, eligible officers continue to await consideration for promotion due to the pendency of the All India Seniority List (AISL). 

The Association has further pointed out that, as per the timelines prescribed by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) in O.M. No. 22011/4/2013-Estt.(D) dated 08.05.2017, the DPC for the vacancy year 2026 ought to have been completed by October 2025 itself. By this time, the process for the DPC for the vacancy year 2027 should ordinarily have been at an advanced stage. 

The continued delay has only prolonged stagnation in the Superintendent cadre and deprived eligible officers of their legitimate career progression.

AIASCT Strongly Supports Early Cadre Restructuring

The Association has once again reiterated its unequivocal support for the early implementation of Cadre Restructuring. Cadre Restructuring remains an essential long-term measure to address stagnation, strengthen the organisational framework and create better career opportunities for the cadre.

At the same time, the Association has submitted that when a substantial number of sanctioned promotional posts are already lying vacant, the assurance of creating additional Assistant Commissioner posts through Cadre Restructuring, without filling the existing vacancies, may not adequately instil confidence in the cadre regarding the intended improvement in career progression.

A Long-standing Injustice to the Central Excise Feeder Cadre

The representation also highlights the continuing injustice faced by officers of the Central Excise feeder cadre. Although Superintendents of Central Excise, Examiners and Preventive Officers entered the Department through the same recruitment examination, career progression has not been equitable.

In many instances, officers belonging to the Examiner and Preventive Officer streams have secured promotions to higher grades well before their seniors in the Central Excise feeder cadre. This disparity, particularly affecting officers serving in the most stagnating Central Excise Zones, has persisted for decades and deserves urgent corrective attention in the interest of fairness and equal opportunity.

Our Appeal to the Revenue Secretary

The representation submitted to the Revenue Secretary concludes with a request for his kind intervention to ensure an early resolution of this long-pending issue. AIASCT has requested that suitable directions be issued for the expeditious finalization of the All India Seniority List (AISL) of Superintendents of GST & Central Excise for the years 2014 and 2015; that the concerned authorities complete all remaining formalities within a definite timeframe, and;  that the long-awaited Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion to the grade of Assistant Commissioner is convened at the earliest, thereby providing the long-overdue career progression to eligible officers.

Our Pursuit Continues

The issue of AISL and DPC has remained one of the Association's foremost priorities. The present Central Committee( All India Body) has continued this sustained effort through representations to the Chairman, CBIC, discussions during the Official Consultative Meeting, meetings with senior officers in New Delhi and, most recently, by submitting a detailed representation to the Revenue Secretary seeking his intervention for an early resolution.

The Association remains steadfast in its commitment to pursue this matter until a meaningful outcome is achieved.

Together Towards Justice and Career Progression

The strength of AIASCT lies in the unity and unwavering support of its members. Every representation, every meeting and every initiative is driven by a single objective—to secure fair, timely and equitable career progression for every Superintendent. We sincerely hope that the intervention sought from the Revenue Secretary will lead to the early finalization of the AISL and the conduct of the long-awaited DPC, bringing long-overdue relief to thousands of deserving officers across the country. However, if the issue continues to remain unresolved, the Association will be constrained to consider an appropriate future course of action in consultation with the members through our unit representatives. Any decision, including appropriate collective action, can succeed only with the active support and solidarity of every member of the Association. 

Together, we shall continue to strive for fairness, justice and timely career progression.

With confidence in our collective strength,

Rabish Chandra
Secretary General

(Click here for letter submitted to the Revenue Secretary)

Transparency and Consultation: Key to a Successful Cadre Restructuring

 Dear Members

Greetings of the Day!

The All India Association of Superintendents of Central Tax (AIASCT) has addressed a representation to the Chairman, CBIC, requesting that the Report submitted by the Working Group on Cadre Restructuring, along with the proposal currently under consideration in DGHRD, be shared with the Association. 

Cadre Restructuring is a long-awaited reform that carries significant implications for organisational efficiency, manpower planning, career progression, promotional avenues and the resolution of stagnation across various cadres. Officers across the country have consistently looked forward to an early and meaningful restructuring exercise that addresses long-standing concerns while strengthening the Department's operational capabilities.

CBIC had constituted a Working Group to examine various aspects of Cadre Restructuring and submit its recommendations. Given the Working Group's access to relevant data, workload assessments, sanctioned strength, functional requirements and other critical inputs, its report is expected to provide a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment of the existing cadre structure and the options available for reform.

AIASCT believes that sharing the Report submitted by the Working Group and the proposal under consideration by DGHRD would facilitate informed discussions and enable the Association to provide constructive suggestions based on field-level experience and operational realities. Such an approach would strengthen stakeholder participation and contribute to a more balanced, practical and sustainable restructuring framework.

The Association had earlier requested DGHRD to share the proposed structure or framework being examined as part of the restructuring exercise. Since the Working Group has reportedly submitted its report, AIASCT has now reiterated its request for access to the relevant documents to enable a detailed examination of the recommendations and proposals.

The recommendations emerging from the restructuring exercise are expected to influence the future human resource architecture of the Department for years to come. In this context, wider consultation with stakeholders can enhance transparency, build confidence among officers and help achieve greater consensus around the proposed reforms.

AIASCT remains fully committed to supporting an early and effective Cadre Restructuring that serves the interests of both the Department and its officers. The Association hopes that the Report submitted by the Working Group and the proposal under consideration by DGHRD will be shared, enabling a meaningful exchange of views and facilitating the successful implementation of this much-awaited reform.

Fraternally Yours,

 

Rabish Chandra
Secretary General

 (Click here for letter submitted to CBIC)

Updates on the Two Days (10-11th June 2026) Delhi Visit of the AIASCT Team

Dear Members,

Warm Greetings of the Day!

Representatives of the All India Association of Superintendents of Central Tax (AIASCT) attended the Official Consultative Meeting (OCM) on 10.06.2026, chaired by the Member (Administration), CBIC, along with senior officers of CBIC and DGHRD. The meeting deliberated on key cadre-related issues, including: (i) DPC for promotion from Superintendent to Assistant Commissioner, (ii) the 01.01.1996 issue, (iii) uniform implementation of the N.R. Parmar judgment, (iv) grant of NFU to eligible Adhoc Superintendents, and (v) review of pay stepping-up withdrawal and recovery cases in the Thiruvananthapuram-Cochin Zone and other issues as per agenda items fixed by the board.

On the issue of the non-convening of the DPC for promotion to Assistant Commissioner due to the pending AISL, the DG, DGHRD informed that zonal seniority lists from Vadodara and Delhi Zones are still awaited despite repeated follow-up. As finalisation of the AISL and conduct of the DPC depend on these inputs, Team AIASCT strongly objected to the delay, noting that officers nationwide have been denied legitimate promotional opportunities. The Association urged the Board and DGHRD to expedite finalisation of the AISL and convene the long-pending DPC without further delay.

AIASCT strongly raised the issue of non-regularisation of ad hoc promotions of over 2,000 Superintendents in the Mumbai Zone. The OCM Chairman heard the concerns and advised the Association to submit a detailed representation outlining the issues and relief sought, assuring that the matter would be examined upon receipt of the representation.

The Association requested notional retrospective implementation of the revised pay scale w.e.f. 01.01.1996 for all eligible officers. It was further urged that, where favourable court judgments have been obtained, pay fixation and disbursement of arrears be completed at the earliest. It was informed that any delay in pay fixation in a specific Zone may be brought to the notice of the Board for appropriate action.

Issues relating to promotions for PwBD officers in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling and DoPT instructions, settlement of pending claims, infrastructure-related concerns, implementation of e-Pratiniyukti for deputation applications and other agenda items were also discussed during the OCM.

 The meeting concluded on a positive note, with assurances that the issues raised would be examined and pursued by the concerned authorities.

Fnalisation of the Constitution of the Federation of AIASCT and AICEIA

During Delhi Visit, meeting with AICEIA was held. Constitution of the federation of both the associations, Federation of Associations of Central Tax Officers (FACTO) was finalized.

Meeting with Chairman

AIASCT Team with CBIC Chairman on 11.06.2026

Issues relating to AISL finalisation, delay in DPC, cadre restructuring, and grant of NFU to Mumbai Zone officers were also raised with the Chairman. The Association suggested finalising the AISL atleast up to 30.09.2014 as a last resolution, with subsequent seniority lists to follow separately. The Chairman took note of all issues and assured that options for expediting AISL finalisation would be explored. The Chairman informed that once the Working Committee submits its report on cadre restructuring, the associations will be invited for consultations and discussions on the matter. The Association thanked the Chairman for convening the OCM and requested that it be held at least once every six months. In response, the Chairman emphasized that resolution of issues is more important than the frequency of meetings which was appreciated by the association.

With fraternal regards!

 

Rabish Chandra
Secretary General
AIASCT