Officers of central excise to observe Satyagraha programme from today

Central Excise, Customs and Service Tax officers are observing a countrywide two-day satyagraha programme from today.

"The satyagraha programme is being revived in the form of moral support to the strike programme of the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers on 12.02.14 and 13.02.14," a release said.

"Our Superintendents of Central Excise, Customs and Service Tax will observe peaceful Shantigosthis in lunch hours on these days before Headquarters offices under field formations throughout India. After it, we will start to sit before the residences of the authorities throughout India including the Commissioners and Chief Commissioners, Addl. Director Generals and Director Generals, Members and Chairman, Revenue Secretary and Finance Minister," the release added.

The charter of demands includes immediate implementation of cadre restructuring, five functional promotions to all.

Scheme to improve the career prospects of Central Excise Superintendents/Inspectors independent of cadre restructuring to retire officers in PB-4 and next promotion of Central Excise Superintendent in STS like many other group 'B' gazetted officers.

A pay scale equivalent to the Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB3 to the Superintendent of Central Excise w.e.f. the date of the grant of the same to the counterparts of IB, CBI etc. alongwith other perks as being granted to the analogous counterparts of IB and CBI.

Seniority benefit on promotion to group 'A' in lieu of the service rendered in group 'B' and fulfilment of the commitments made during the presentation on cadre restructuring on 18.01.11.

Non-functional time scale in PB3 instead of PB2 to Superintendents after 4 years of service and promoting all Superintendents completing 1.5 times of qualifying service on the lines of CSS.