Mumbai AIEC and after

Dear friends and Comrades,

               The first All India Executive Committee Meeting of our Association after the 12^th Convention at Chennai in May 2017, was held at Mumbai on 10.12.17.  The Mumbai unit (CESA) which had come into office only in May 2017, with Com. Anil as President and Com. Shishir Agnihotri as General Secretary had hosted the meeting within a short notice.  The arrangements were grand and all delegates (49) from 20 units all over India appreciated the arrangements.  Some other units had sent their messages that they were not able to attend due to local reasons and had assured to join for the next meeting.  Two of the AIB Office bearers were also held up due to personal reasons.  Com. Bajaj had earlier tendered his resignatio from the AIB to contest the Delhi elections (which have run into problems due to interference by Sh. C.S.Sharma).

               Many issues concerning the department and our cadre were discussed.  Some of the main decisions taken in the meeting are;

ü  We have to protest against the shabby treatment metted out to our cadre on various issues by launching a phased agitation.

ü  The agitations could be launched along with the other constituents of the COC of CBIC, if all of them concur with our main demands; and separately if they do not concur.

ü  Campaign committees have to be formed to tour various cities where maximum number of members of the cadres are working to reach out to them and make the agitation programme a success.

ü  Members should avoid taking instructions over whatsapp groups and mobile phones when no instruments have been provided to them by the department.

ü  The Board should maintain status quo in respect of staffing and cadre control of Customs stations manned by Central Excise Officers as on date, until there is complete bifurcation of the Board.  In the event of bifurcation of the Board, the Central Excise Officers have to be allowed to give options and their seniority and service protected.  The house approved of the case before the CAT Chennai in this regard.

ü  The pay scale matters (1.1.96 and 5400) have to be vigorously pursued.

ü  Implementation of Parmar case decision and conducting of DPC for the vacant posts of Acs (more than 1300) should be pursued simultaneously and vigorously.

ü  Organisational side: The meeting unanimously resolved to request all the units which are not yet with us to take a conscious decision in the interest of the cadre and join with this Association, because it has clearly been established that the majority is here and almost all elected and functional units have joined.

( I make a personal appeal to the elected functional units which are yet to take a decision about joining us to ensure that on our submission of the 35% DDO Certificates [which the previous SG did not submit to get the recognition renewed] vested interests should not be allowed to submit a claim for a second association by submitting 15% membership/DDO certificates.  In this regard we hope that these units who attend the meeting at Hyderabad in January convened by the other faction would take a conscious decision in the interest of unity of the cadre.]

Subsequent development:

The order of the Hon’ble CAT, Chennai in respect of Customs reorganisation is given above.  The Sr. Advocate has communicated the same to the respondents.

In respect of the 5400 issue, there is movement of file in the IFU and Expenditure based on our representation.  Details will be given in due course.