Central excise officials stage candle march over demands for better pay, cadre reorganization

New Delhi, Feb.15 (ANI): Central Excise Superintendents recently observed a candle march at their headquarters here over demands for cadre revision and better pay.

According to Ravi Malik, Secretary General, All India Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers, the demands include:

.Immediate release of the cadre restructuring posts without any cut and parity with the other counterparts either in the cadre restructuring or independent of it to retire our officers in PB-4.

.Grade pay of Rs. 5,400/- in PB3 w.e.f. the date of the grant of this grade pay/equivalent pay scale to the other analogous posts and implementation of para 7.15.24 of 6th CPC report.

.At least a grade pay of Rs. 6,600-/ and 7,600/- under MACPS after 20 and 30 years of service respectively to the officers after joining as an Inspector, if not got 3 functional promotions and

.Strong staff grievances redressal mechanism in the form of minuted meetings at regular intervals.

The customs excise officers said that they would next hold a satyagraha movement demanding promotions and pay at par with other counterparts, besides seeking a staff grievances redressal mechanism.

They said they had started their movement last year on the eve of Excise Day by bearing black badges.

They claimed that counterparts in other allied services of the government were already getting five to six promotions and had reached the level of Commissioner and Joint Secretary in Income Tax, Customs and CSS etc.

Central excise superintendents said they were made to retire after getting only one promotion in their service career of 35-40 years and also less pay and pension compared to their counterparts in the Intelligence Bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. (ANI)