INCOME TAX EMPLOYEES FEDERATION

MANISHINATH BHAWAN

A2/95 RAJOURI GARDEN

NEW DELHI-110027

Cir. No. 42/1215                                                                                    Dated: 26th March, 2014

Dear Comrades,

Personnel Grievance Redressal Committee Meeting:  The PGRC meeting at the apex level was held on 25th March, 2014 as scheduled at 11.00AM.  The meeting was co-chaired by Member (P&V) and Member (R).  Apart from other Officials, the JCA was represented by Coms. Ashok B Salunkhe (President ITEF),  Ajay Goyal (President ITGOA), KP Rajagopal, SG, ITEF, Bhaskar Bhattacharya, SG, ITGOA and Ashok Kr. Kanojia, Addl. Secy. ITEF.  The outcome of the meeting on each agenda item is as under.

1. Discussion on allocation of Group B and C posts and related matters-viz. Finalisation of RR and Filling up of vacancies etc.

We have strongly expressed our resentment over the presentation of the final proposal of allocation of posts to the Ministry without causing discussion with us, as promised by the authorities and requested for the principle adopted  by the Board for the said proposal as also the status of the RRs and filling up of posts.

The Official side informed us that the matter was discussed in length with the staff side on 16th and 17th Jan. 2014 and the points were well taken in the final report.  The yardsticks adopted for the allocation is mainly the workload, Revenue Collection, geographical area etc. We were also informed that there will not be reduction of posts in any charge and all charges will get the entitled additional posts. The proposal is now awaiting the final approval of the Finance Minister and in all probabilities the same will be notified by 31st March 2014.  Regarding the status of the Recruitment Rules and Filling up of the Posts the Officials in the HRD is working on it and the Representative of ITEF have been asked to  discuss the same with them.

2. Amendment to the provisions of Permanent Grievance Redressal Committee as suggested by ITEF.

We have been informed that the issues raised in the ITEF letter have been considered and the stand of the CBDT has been communicated to the ITEF and ITGOA in F.No. B-12020/15/2012-Ad.IX dated 20th March, 2014 (Click here for copy of the letter).  On further insistence by the staff side, it was decided to increase the number of representatives from ITEF and ITGOA to seven and five respectively.    The Official side also agreed to hold the PGRC meeting in every month.

3. Exclusion of Group C cadre from the Eligibility for allotment of Guest Houses.

We have taken up the the exclusion of the group C employees from the purview of eligibility for allotment of Guest Houses as was available till Now.  We objected to this and pointed out that in the revised guidelines dated 03.10.2013 the entitlement has been reduced to only air cooled rooms or dormitory.  The Official side assured to look into the matter afresh.

4. Exclusion of Ex-servicemen from the purview of relaxation of conditions for inter-charge Transfers.

The point raised by us that while extending the period of relaxation for inter-charge transfers for officials certain categories which were entitled for the same in the past  have been excluded. We were informed that the exclusion of two categories were decided after careful consideration of the past cases. We insisted for sympathetic consideration of the category of  Ex-service man in view of the services and sweat rendered to the nation and their services in difficult and disturbed areas in their past service. The official side assured to consider the matter favourably.

5. Provision of 6 air conditioners per Range sanctioned by the Board from incentive fund in 2012 and referred to IFU in February, 2013 still pending implementation.

We have been  informed that all efforts are being taken to meet the requirements and objections of the IFU and DOE to get the clearance of the project at the earliest. On the personal intervention of the DIT (infra) the Officials of DOE  have promised to process the file immediately.

6. Implementation of the following Schemes approved by the Board in April 2013.

Laptops to Inspectors. 

we were informed that there was some confusion in the DOE about various proposals viz. Replacement of laptops to Officers, Provision of Laptops to AO &PS etc.  Now the proposal for Laptops to ITIs has been detached and resubmitted. The Directorate (infra) is pursuing the matter.

Mobile hands to All personnel. 

This proposal is also pending approval from the Dept. Of Expenditure and the Officials are pursuing the same for early clearance.

Enhancement of Local Travel Expenses of ITIs/NSs.

The proposal approved by the Board and submitted to the IFU has been returned for further clarifications.  The Clarifications and suggestions sought from the Chief Commissioners are awaited to further the matter.  We were also told that none of the CCsIT have respond yet,  except the CCsIT of Bhuvaneswar, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh.  We request all the Circle General Secretaries of other Charges to pursue the matter with CCsIT  to expedite their comments sought by the Board on 20.11.2013.  To enable you to render opinion to the CCsIT, CHQ letter dated 30.09.2013 addressed to the DDIT (infra)  is enclosed.

Adv. Increment to Sr. TA/Stgr. on passing ITIs Examination.

Apart from sending the proposal to the DOE, on our insistence the Member (P&V) directed the Directorate (V&L) to further examine the matter in the light of the favourable verdicts of various CA Tribunals.

On all the above issues we strongly expressed our total dissatisfaction over the efforts made by the authorities in pursuing the issues with other Departments. We have also complained that various Directorates and sections are sending proposals for clearance to the IFU and DEO and the required follow up action is not properly done and  demanded that one nodal Officer may be nominated to pursue all the issues referred to the IFU and DOE.  The Official side informed that the DGIT (Logistic) will henceforth pursue all such matters for expeditious approval and implementation.

We have also strongly objected to the publication of communications on service and other administrative matters through the official website of IRS Officers.  We pointed out that the issue was subject matter of discussion on several occasions in the Quarterly Review Meetings from the year 2011 and necessary instructions have been given to the effect that all such communications should be uploaded to the official site of the Department.  In spite of the same the communications are being uploaded in IRS Officers site only, access to which is restricted to IRS Officers with pass word.  We were again assured that necessary directions will be issued to put all such communication in the official website of the department i.e. www.incometaxindia.gov.in.

Departmental Examination -2013. 

Based on the reporting  from various places by the candidates who appeared for the Deptl. Examination, the matter of discrepancy in the answer keys for the question papers of ITO and ITIs were taken up with the Directorate.  Most of the reported wrong answer keys (13 Numbers) related to the Paper II (Advanced Accountancy) of ITOs Exam.  The Directorate, after careful consideration of all the questions and answers found no merit in the claim of the candidates.  The same has been communicated with reasons to all the CCsIT vide F No. DE/2013/Challenged Qs./ITOs/ITIs/DIT dated 7th March 2014 (click here for copy of the letter).  A copy of the same is annexed here.  You may kindly inform the candidates accordingly.  In yet another claim made about discrepancy in the answer keys of Law Paper of ITOs and ITIs (2 each) the same is still being examined by the Directorate.

Increment on promotion: 

The matter has been referred to the Department of Expenditure for their clearance of the proposal in accordance with the Govt. Decision to grant fixation benefit on promotion in the same Grade Pay.  The same is awaited.  Meanwhile, it has been reported to us that the ZAOs are resorting to recovery of the so-called excess payment on granting fixation benefit as per the order in F.No. 10102/2011-E.III/A dated 7th January, 2013.  You are requested to report such cases where the ZAO has ordered recovery and their specific objections in this regard to take up the matter with the authorities to stop the recovery.

Confederation Convention at Nagpur on 4th April 2014. 

In our circular Cir No. 41/12-15,Dated: 27th February, 2014 we have intimated the decision of the Confederation to hold a National Convention at Nagpur on 4th April, 2014. We have also requested the circles to ensure participation of two delegates from each circle including the ITEF Chq. Secretariat Member, and one of the Principle Office bearers from that circle.  In case there is no Sect. Member in the Circle, Two Office bearers may be deputed apart from the participation of the Women delegates who are the members of the National Committee.    We once again request you all to intimate the number of delegates and their travel programme  to Com. B.N. Chikate, GS, ITEF, Vidharbha Circle, immediately, if not already done.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

(KP Rajagopal)

Secretary General

JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

INCOME TAX EMPLOYEES FEDERATION &

INCOME TAX GAZETTED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

A-2/95, Manishinath Bhawan, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi 

Joint Convenors 

K.P. Rajagopal  &  Bhaskar Battacharya

———————————————————————————————————————

Cir. M-12/13-14

Dated: 5th March, 2014.

Dear Comrades,

Sub:    Implementation of Cadre Restructuring – allocation of Posts Protest against Callous attitude of the CBDT Authorities- 

You are aware that the Central Board of Direct Taxes has finalised and approved the allocation of 20751 additional posts sanctioned by the Government for restructuring of the Department.  The Board, according to the signing off message on the wee hours of the Chairpersons superannuation, has sent the proposal to the Hon’ble Finance Minister for his approval on 28th Feb. 2014.  The present position, it is learnt is that the same may be returned within a few days after approval for notification and implementation.

            The JCA, representing about 95% of the personnel in the Department and shouldering all the core responsibilities of completion of assessments, Revenue Collection, widening tax base etc. came to know the above development from the Website. In this context you may recall the ITEF Circular No. 38 dated 18.01.2014, wherein we have detailed the discussion with the Member (P&V) and other officials had with the representatives of JCA on 16thand 17th January, 2014 on the implementation of Cadre Restructuring and allocation of post. The focus of discussion in that meeting was to find out a solution and settlement of the differences arising out of the two reports made by the Committee constituted by the Board (Sub-Committee No. 1 and Core Committee) and the proposal of the Income Tax Employees Federation on allocation of posts.  As intimated in the above circular, the meeting was concluded on the basis of an assurance that the Board will come out with its stand as regards the basis of allocation of posts and other matters and revert to the leaders of JCA for discussion before finalisation.  In yet another meeting the representatives of ITEF had with the Chairperson, Member (P&V) & other officials on 20th February, 2014, the assurance of discussion with us as soon as the CBDT finalise its proposal was reiterated.  On 21st February, 2014 also, the Member (P&V), while addressing the Inaugural Session of the ITGOA Biennial General Meeting at Chennai, assured the entire delegates and leaders of both the organisation that the basis of allocation of posts is being worked out and will be subjected to discussion with the JCA before finalisation.  In its letter dated 24th February, 2014, the ITGOA, again requested the Chairperson to cause discussion with the Representative of JCA before finalisation.

            The above action on the part of the CBDT authorities is clear infringement of understanding and violation of principles of bilateral agreements.  This attitude of the CBDT in totally ignoring the recognised organisation which represent the majority of the personnel in the Department and duplicity of words deserve strongest condemnation.  The Leaders of the JCA met in New Delhi today and took stock of the situation arising out of the callous attitude of the CBDT in dealing with the aspirations of the Personnel, decided to lodge our protest in the form of a Demonstration and also to bring our protest to the knowledge of the authorities by sending a savingram. Therefore, we request the Circle/Unit leadership to stage this protest Demonstration during the lunch recess on 12th March, 2014 at all CCIT and CIT Stations and adopt and send the Savingram to the Chairman, CBDT in the enclosed format.

            With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

(KP Rajagopal) (Bhaskar Bhattacharya)

Joint Convenors.

To All Circle/Unit Geneal Secrearies.

JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

INCOME TAX EMPLOYEES FEDERATION &

INCOME TAX GAZETTED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

                                           _______________________(Name of place)

RESOLUTION

This General Meeting of the members of JCA______________ (Name of station) held on today the 12th March, 2014 took note of the manner in which the CBDT presented the final proposal of allocation of Posts of Cadre Restructuring to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, without causing discussion with the major stake holder i.e. Representatives of JCA. This action contrary to the assurances given by the authorities on several occasion, is breach of Trust and infringement of bilateral understanding.

            This General Meeting strongly condemn the betrayal and violation of agreement by the CBDT Authorities.

Date: 12th March, 2014.

Place.

Joint Convenors

———————- Unit

Forwarded to the Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes, North Block, New Delhi-110 001.