Dear Members and Friends,
On the eve of this Iconic day of
our 76th Independence day, our Azaadi Ka Amruth Mahothsav we will
complete 75 years of Independence. My heart is filled with greetings to all my
countrymen in general and my members of AIASCT in specific. The day should mark
our tribute to the mammoth amounts of sacrifices for the country by uncountable
number of individuals, massive amount of hard work by many for a better nation and
the hard core resolve of my countrymen to stay independent and cherish their
right to Justice and freedom. The
biggest democracy has come of age and is rearing to go forward steadfastly towards
a promising future.
May be, motivated by this solemn occasion
the CEC of AIASCT which met on 06.08.2022 took a momentous decision
to pursue Justice for all, rather than short sighted benefits to some. The
release of the Draft seniority list of Superintendents of Central tax by CBIC
after a delay of 15 long years evoked more sarcasm than praise. The debate on regional disparity which was
pushed to the background from the past 30 years by the CBIC, and may be by the meek
acceptance by the Association too probably for lack of conviction was brought
to the fore front. When a 1992 batch officer of an advantageous Zone sits 4000
places above a 1990 or 1991 batch officer of a stagnated Zone there is
something grossly wrong with how CBIC administers its HR policy. This issue has been put on the back burner by
the CBIC by sheer lack of will to do justice and what is right even against
odds.
The very fact that even Zones
which are placed comparatively better supported the call for Base cadre (Inspector)
seniority in the eye of the huge
disparities of more than 5 to 6 years between the better placed Zones and
stagnated Zones speaks volumes of the sense of injustice and misery heaped on
those stagnated Zones. An officer of
1992 batch Inspector bossing over a 1985 or 86 batch officers of another Zone
from the same cadre reeks of disastrous HR management let alone the inter cadre
disparities. The historical reasons for the disparity is well known and well
documented but is it not the responsibility of the administration to correct
something which is unjust? Well, the CEC
of AIASCT decided to stand for justice rather than for short term benefits of
promotions among others to forward Zones which would increase the disparities
and in turn litigation.
The point that any change of RR
would require time and administrative will is well taken and that is the reason
why this Association has suggested for Re-designation for officers who have achieved
the grade of PB 3 5400 as an interim measure, which is expenditure neutral. This
will obviously benefit more people and bring equity is required to be
understood by all. A letter dated 08.08.2022
addressed to the Chairman CBIC was issued by this Association requesting for
implementation of base cadre seniority which is historic in itself. (Click here for the letter) The CEC by a
majority decision decided to pursue the demand for Base Cadre Seniority for the
reasons well enumerated in the letter.
Various, allegations that this
association does not wants DPC, the SG and President is being manipulated, some
leaders of AIASCT does not want promotion etc etc are being floated by fringe
groups. This is totally untrue and
fabricated, even to suggest that
officers who have put in more than 30 years of service do not aspire for a
promotion is outrageous, everyone wants promotion but it would be the duty of
the association to get justice for the rightful ones. One could always say that this AISL is as per
the present Recruitment Rules, but as an Association representing officers
across the country it is imperative that we should have the guts and gumption
to say that the RR itself is skewed and unjust to many. When the three top
office bearers out of four belongs to advantageous Zones and still a decision
to support the demand for Base cadre seniority is passed by the body, it truly
speaks volumes about the vibrant democratic process in this association. It also
demonstrates that the stark naked injustice heaped on the stagnated Zones which
stares at us and stirs our conscience for a justified decision devoid of
parochial interests.
Yes, I know that the forward Zones
are feeling that a Seniority list issued after 15 years is being litigated and
may jeopardise their promotions, yes it may for a short period of time, but we
will not carry the burden of snatching something which belongs to someone more
senior to us. The whole idea is to do what is justified, to bring what is our
moto - equity, to go by what is right for the cadre for now and for the future.
Being an advantageous Zone or a forward
Zone is only temporary but having the Right RR which would bring justice to all
is permanent.
I urge all of you to realise that
we are eliminating a plethora of contentious issues which has plagued the cadre
and ensured that we stay divided to the benefit of who? Everybody knows. We are also eliminating the divisive issue
which has been all along been taken advantage off by the administration to keep
us busy fighting among ourselves. We have
come to a point of now or never, we have huge amount of vacancies which will
smoothen out the effect of the change in RR proposed and close to the Cadre
restructuring with Branch B service on the anvil which should pave the way for
a better future for our young ones. This is something what we have to do for
the future for this cadre to be relevant.
Let us chart a new path of Equity
and Justice for all on this historic occasion of completion of 75 years of
Independence.
My greetings to all.
Jai Hind.
Yours truly
M.A. Jithendra
Secretary General
AIASCT
