Dear Valued Member:

On behalf of every member at All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association

Wish You A Very Happy Deepawali And A Prosperous New Year!

We wish that in the New Year, you and your family are blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.

We would also like to take this opportunity to seek your Cooperation in all our organizational call to achieve our demands.

Warm regards,

S.Mohan

Secretary General

May Day Greetings

This International Workers' Day, let us pledge to move away from competitiveness and profits towards a growth that is fairer, greener and focussed on meeting people's aspirations for a decent life. Tens of thousands of people around the world are taking to the streets today to mark May 1. What else is new? Well, plenty. The continuing economic crisis is hitting workers hardest. It also highlights how the macroeconomic policies of the past decades have downgraded the meaning of decent work.

The current growth model considers work as a production cost that must be as low as possible in order to raise competitiveness and profits. Workers are seen as being consumers of all sorts of loans rather than as having a legitimate share through wages in the wealth they contribute to create. Certainly a vision where capital has the upper-hand. Lost in translation is the fact that quality work is a source of personal dignity, family stability, peace in the community and, certainly, a source of credibility for democratic governance. However, in too many places we have lost the basic notion that labour is not a commodity. So, this is no ordinary May 1. It comes at a time when deep-rooted interests are pushing to go back to business-as-usual, arguing that this is just another crisis that can be solved applying the same old recipes. It is not.

This trend is especially visible in advanced economies and particularly in the Eurozone, where policies that are trying to cope with very high levels of public debt are generating even higher social deficits that will also have to be addressed. When youth unemployment rates hover around 50 per cent in Spain and Greece, it is obvious that we have reached the limits of this austerity-induced recession. This ignores the European Union's foundational values of justice and solidarity that have been enshrined in all major European treaties, from Rome to Lisbon. It also ignores the fact that paying back debt needs growth and jobs. Policies are also departing from ratified International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and disregarding the crucial role that social dialogue can play in times of crisis.

On fiscal consolidation

We need a socially-responsible approach to fiscal consolidation. In a democracy, it is more important to retain the long-term trust of people — especially the most vulnerable groups — than to gain the short-term confidence of financial markets. Globally speaking, most large companies and the financial system in general have bounced back from the crisis, although some pundits claim that there are still some “fragile” banks. Governments spent billions of dollars to ensure their recovery. Workers have not received the same treatment. It is understandable that people marking this first of May feel that while some banks are too big to fail, they are too small to matter.

So what do we do? I believe we need to change the current global growth model. True, this is a model that has created huge amounts of wealth, but it is wealth concentrated in very few hands. This model has failed to generate the type of inclusive growth we were led to believe it would. We need a different type of growth that is environmentally conscious and focused on people. This means a model whose main aim is to increase the general well-being of people and reduce inequalities; that measures success by the number of good-quality jobs generated, and not the percentage of GDP growth.

The financial system has to be at the service of the real economy, not playing around with other people's money. Banks have to go back to their original and valuable role of lending to sustainable enterprises so they can invest and create jobs. Employment, social and environmental policies need to be as relevant as macroeconomic policies. This is not the case today. Back in the days of the so-called Washington Consensus, conventional wisdom said that inclusive labour markets, which provide quality jobs, social protection and workers' rights, would perform poorly. The fact is that countries that invested in long-term social policies and capacity-building have experienced more stable growth. Many have even become more competitive and are recovering quicker from the crisis than countries that chose the fiscal austerity path.

We must move to a fairer, greener and more sustainable globalisation capable of meeting people's aspirations for a decent life. That means progressive access to a good-paying job with labour rights. That's how middle classes emerged at different stages in different countries. That's also why middle classes are now under threat, because it is increasingly difficult for people to find a decent job and to work their way out of poverty. This concern applies to all countries. And no country or region can lead on its own. Moving towards a new era of social justice requires cooperation, dialogue and, above all, leadership. Leadership fired by human values — key among them, the respect for the dignity of work and workers.

(Juan Somavia is Director-General of the International Labour Organisation.)


Courtesy: The Hindu



The CAG's mandate

As auditor to a nation whose institutions of oversight are weak and underdeveloped, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India is more than just the keeper of our national accounts. It is, in many ways, a conscience-keeper and a watchdog, which may not bite but can bark and warn ordinary citizens that something is amiss in the wider affairs of state. Like the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, the CAG has managed to protect its integrity and independence despite pressure from various arms of the state. If conducted freely and fairly, a robust audit can serve as a catalyst for corrective action. The CAG's report on Bofors in 1989 had major political consequences. Its explosive 2010 report on the allocation of 2G spectrum led to the filing of criminal charges against politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen. Other reports may have had a less dramatic political impact but they have been equally useful. The CAG's observations may be politically embarrassing to the government but they clearly contribute to the public good. Democratic India must ensure that the government takes the work of this constitutionally sanctioned institution very seriously and removes the obstacles placed in the path of a more effective and efficient audit process.

Aware of the limitations of its mandate, the CAG has asked the United Progressive Alliance government to make three broad amendments in the 1971 Audit Act, which governs the functioning of the audit authorities. The first amendment is intended to ensure that government departments reply to audit enquiries in 30 days rather than in the open-ended manner as now. Secondly, the CAG wants the statute to stipulate a clear timeframe for the tabling of completed audit reports on the floor of the relevant legislature. The Act, as it stands today, gives the Central and State governments wide latitude in this regard and it is hardly surprising that this freedom has been abused to delay making public the audit reports that contain embarrassing observations. The third set of proposed amendments is aimed at bringing the CAG's legal mandate up to speed with the changes that have taken place in the way public money is spent. Since the 1971 Act was passed, the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution have been adopted, adding a layer of decentralised governance — and hence expenditure management — to the institutions of the state. Liberalisation has meant public money is increasingly utilised in joint ventures and public-private partnerships. Because of ambiguities in its mandate, the CAG feels unable adequately to audit this vast area of public economic activity. The government should deal with the call for a modernised Audit Act proactively.

Courtesy: Editorial: The Hindu dated: 28th June 2011

Events During the Inaugural Session of 34th Conference

During Inaugural Session a book titled as

" In the Quest For Truth ....... To Serve the People"was released

in the Presence of Honourable Parliamentarians by our Association 

The Book " In The Quest For Truth ..... To Serve The People

was handed Over by our veteran Leader Com S.K.Vyas to

Worshipful Mayor of Chennai in the presence of

Honourable Parliamentarians,Fraternal leaders

Honourable Member of Parliament Shri.S.S.Ramasubbu M.P

addressed the gathering

Honourable Member of Parliament Shri.T.K.Rangarajan M.P being

Honoured by our Secretary General

Presidiential Address to the gathering

Convenor, Coordination Committee Shri.G.Jesuraja being Felicitated by Our President

Chairman of the Coordination Committee Shri.K.T.Sridharan

being felicitated by our Vice President Com.P.Prabhakar

Convenor Coordination Committee invited our Guests to Dias

Worshipful Mayor of Chennai  Welcome address 

during our inaugural Session 

Secretary General Conducted the proceedings of the inaugural Session

Fraternal Leaders in the Dias

Fraternal Leaders in the Dias

Nonourable Member of Parliament Shri.Basudeb Acharia M.P 

addressed the Gathering

President Com.S.V.Deshpande Hoisted our Association Flag

Honourable Member of Parliament Shri.S.S.Ramasubbu arrived to our Venue

Reception Committee Chairman Worshipful Mayor of Chennai Shri.M.Subramanian in the Dias

Reception Committee Chairman Worshipful Mayor of Chennai M.Subramanain 

honoured by our Secretary General

President S.V.Deshpande, Worshipful Mayor M.Subramanian,

Honourable Member of Parliament shri.Basudeb Acharia,

Honourable Member of Parliament Shri.S.S.Ramasubbu,

Former Secretary General Com.Unnikrishnan in the dias

HonourableMember of Parliament Shri.T.K.Rangarajan,

Worshipful Mayor of Chennai M.Subramanian,

Honourable Member of Parliament Shri.S.S.Ramasubbu,

Former Secretary General UnniKrishnan, Former President Radhakrishna in the Dias 

We Salute the Indian

Who choose to brave

The most difficult battle field in the world

 THE SIACHEN GLACIER

-53ºC        21,147 Feet

The 62^nd Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the

Constitution of India came into force replacing

the Government of India Act 1935 as the

governing document of India on 26 January 1950.

The date 26 January was chosen to honour the

memory of the declaration of independence of 1930

“WE, the people of INDIA, having solemnly

Resolved to constitute India into a

SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

and to secure to all its citizens;

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief,

faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the

Individual and the unity

and integrity of the Nation”

Be Proud to be an Indian…… Happy Republic Day

S.Mohan

Secretary General

Circular 9 -2010 -11 of All India Audit & Accounts Officers Association

To

The National Executive Members &

The Secretaries of the Affiliates.

Dear Comrades,

34^th Conference of All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association:

The 34^th Conference of the All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association was held at ICSA Centre Jivana Jyothi Building, 107, Pantheon Road, Egmore Chennai from 09.01.11 to 11.01.11 as notified. Its inaugural session was held at Museum Theatre Egmore, Chennai on 9^th Jan 2011 at 10.00 A.M. 34 Delegates and 20 observers and 2 Special invitees representing 17 units attended the Conference.

Inaugural Session of the 34^th Conference: 09.01.2011:

Com.S.V.Deshpande,  President of the Association hoisted the Flag and saluted the martyrs in the presence of Com.Basudeb Acharia, who is a seven time Member of Parliament, Com.S.K.Vyas., President Confederation of CGEs, Com MS Raja Secretary General All India Audit & Accounts Association, Com Unnikrishnan, former Secretary General of our Federation, Com.Radhakrisna former President. Shri,M.Subramanian, Worshipful Mayor of Chennai,the Chairman, Reception Committee, welcomed the Honorable members of Parliament, delegates and leaders of fraternal organisations.  The Conference was inaugurated by Com.Basudeb Acharia, who greeted this Association for its tradition of struggle and of discharging the responsibility through its accountability to the people. He pointed out that as a nation we were facing a crisis of Public Accountability today. The major crisis was that even after 63 year of independence we have not been able to resolve many of the problems faced by the majority of the people in this country such as the problem of poverty, the problem of unemployment, the problem of ignorance. The Gap between the rich and poor had increased and the society was divided not in the name of religion, caste, or region but in the name of wealth. He further added that we, the elite of the society, should search our soul for the rooting out of these problems. He explained the reasons behind these problems and how the pursuance of the policy of globalization, privatization, and liberalization followed by the successive Governments had been the sole reason behind this and proposed that the elite should come forward to reverse degeneration. Special Address was delivered by Shri.Ramasubbu Honourable Member of Parliament. He mentioned that the service of Audit and Accounts Officers were the backbone of the not only to Indian Audit and Accounts department but also to the entire nation. He further elaborated that the services of the AOs/SAOs should be honored with suitable grade pay and suitable status. He assured that our genuine demand would be taken by him in the floor of Parliament.

The 34^th Conference was felicitated by T.K.Rangarajan Honourable Member of Parliament. He pointed out that the  houses of the auditors in the private firm was raided by the CBI where as it would not be in the case of our case since the Audit Officers and Sr.Audit Officers  were very honest in their service to the nation. He also assured that our genuine demand would be taken by him in the floor of Parliament.

Release of a Book:

The institution of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India shoots into the limelight from time to time whenever his reports bring out issues that the media and the political parties find to be good publicity or adverse publicity material. The latest being the report on the 2G Spectrum allocation that marked the dawn of the 150^th year of the institution with a bang.  It has been the experience of many of those who serve the IA&AD that the public at large remains ill-informed about the institution of the C&AG and how it serves the public, largely because of the conscious avoidance of publicity and the uncompromising professional quest for facts regarding financial propriety, regularity etc. That the institution has not been accused of having “compromised” so far stands testimony to the practiced resistance to external influences and had discharged its responsibilities “without fear or favour”. But the deliberate isolation has also prevented “public awareness” about the institution.

The book titled as“In the quest for truth …… to serve the people” is an attempt by the All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association, to inform the reader of the “Who and Why” of the Supreme Audit Institution of this country. The Association takes great pride in bringing out this book in the 150^th year of the C&AG which was released by our veteran leader Com.S.K.Vyas and the first copy was received by Com.Basudeb Acharia in the Presence of Worshipful Mayor Shri.M.Subramanian and Honourable Member of Parliament Shri.Ramasubbu and Shri.T.K.Rangarajan in our inaugural session of the 34^th Conference. It is our endeavor to place the facts before the reader and not to eulogies the Institution or to criticize it. This book contains facts about the struggle of the Accounts Officers, Audit Officers, Sr.Accounts Officers and Sr.Audit Officers for due recognition of their contribution to the department that has enabled it in achieving what it had over the years of its existence. All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association is grateful to Com.N.Kannan & Com J Balakrishnan SAOs (both retired) for their contribution to this book.

Com M.S.Raja Secretary General of All India Audit and Accounts Association greeted the delegates and explained the hostile situation prevailing in the department and he assured that with the cooperation of employees and officers the situation would be overcome. Com Virugu Bhattacharjee, Convener of the Joint Action Committee of audit and accounts employees and officers’ organasations reiterated that the joint action committee would move forward to achieve our demand. Com Vasudevan, General Secretary of Insurance Officers Federation, Com.Varadharajan General Secretary of the Promotee Officers Federation , Railways, Com.Ananda Padmanabhan General Secretary of the Pay and Accounts Officers Association, Com.Chandramouli,  Central Excise Officers Association, Com.Dakshinamoorthy Postal Accounts Officers Association, Com.UnniKrishnan  Com.A.V.Venkataraman Former Secretary General of All India Audit and Accounts Association, Com.S.K.Vyas, President of the Confederation of Central Government Employees, Com.M.Duraipandian, President of All India Audit and Accounts Association, Com.N.Srinivasan General Secretary Railway Accounts Staff Association also greeted the Conference. Com.K.T.Sridharan, Chairman Coordination Committee proposed the vote of thanks.

Felicitation to our Leaders:

Com. K.T.Sridharan, Vice President of the Association, who had already retired and Com.G. Jesu Raja Convener Coordination Committee of the Audit and Accounts Officers Association Tamil Nadu Unit who is to retire in April 2011 were felicitated in the venue of the Inaugural Session.

Delegate Session: 10.01.2011:

The Delegate Session was presided by the Presidium consisting of Com.S.V.Deshpande and Com.K.T.Sridharan. The Secretary General presented the minutes of 33rd Conference held at Nagpur which was adopted unanimously by the Conference. Com.S.Mohan then presented the report of the Secretary General for the period from 2008 to 2010 and explained the salient features of the report. More than 14 delegates from various affiliated units took part in the discussion. Finally the report of Secretary General was adopted with certain modifications/additions   The Secretary General’s report adopted by the Conference shall be circulated shortly. Then the Secretary General presented the Audited Accounts for the year 2008-09 & 2009-10 which were unanimously adopted by the Conference.  

Special Address by Dr.Venkatesh Atherya:

The delegate Session was addressed by Dr.Venkatesh Atherya, who is a leading economist. He presented the situation prevailing in this country. He explained about budget, deficit budget and fiscal deficit and how the country as well as the world was facing the economic crisis .The response of the delegates was very good and the question hour session witnessed a mind boggling discussion.

Resolutions Adopted:

The Conference adopted unanimously a detailed resolution on ‘policy and programmes’ for the future course of action in the coming years after a detailed discussion amongst the delegates as also a resolution on conferment of Group A status have been adopted.  

Election to the National Executive:

The Conference appointed Com.M.G.Venkatesh Vice president of P&T Audit Officers and Sr.Audit Officers Association and Com KV Nagaraju out going Assistant Secretary General as Election Officers to conduct the election of the members of the National Executive for the period 2011 to 2013. All the office bearers were elected unopposed and unanimously. The 34^th Conference also unanimously nominated Auditor and nominated advisors to the National Executive. The list of office bearers,  General Auditor nominated and the Advisors for the All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association unanimously approved by the conference are enclosed. After the acceptance speech by the newly elected office bearers, valedictory address by the Former vice President, and the convener of the Coordination Committee the conference concluded after adopting a resolution thanking the Host Unit for their splendid efforts in organizing the Conference successfully.

It is requested that each unit leadership should undertake extensive campaign by holding activists’ meetings, group meetings etc about our problems confronted day to day and to communicated view points for further course of action.

                                                                                                     Yours Fraternally,

                                                                                               

                                                                                                            S.Mohan

                                                                                                     Secretary General.

Composition of National Executive Committee of

All India Audit and Accounts Officers’ Association

I.National executive Committee Members

Sr. No	Post	Name	Present Office
1	President	S. V. Deshpande	O/o Accountant General (A & E) II Maharashtra, Nagpur
2	Vice President	P.Prabhakar	Principal Director of Audit, South Central Railway, Secundrabad
3	Secretary General	S. Mohan	O/o Pr.Directpr of Commercial Audit & Ex-officio Member Audit Board IV New Delhi @ Chennai.
4	Additional Secretary General	R. K.Gowtham.	O/o Accountant General (A & E) I Madhya Pradesh Gwalior
5	Secretary (Finance)	Y.P.Kanade	O/O the Accountant General (A&E) I., Maharashtra Mumbai
6	Asst. Secretary General	Balbir Singh Sharma	O/o Director General of Central Revenues New Delhi
7	Asst. Secretary General	V.Prema Chandran	O/o the Director General of Postal Audit Branch Office Thiruvananthapuram
8	Asst. Secretary General	P.Balasubramaniam	O/o Principal Accountant General (Civil Audit), Tamil Nadu and Puduicherry Chennai

Wishing You
A
Diwali
That lights up
Joy
Happiness
Peace
Prosperity
Happy Diwali


S.MOHAN

Dear Comrade,

On behalf of All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association and on my own behalf I recollect your association with us in all our Struggles to achieve our demands. Kindly Mark your calendar right away and block Sunday, the 9th Jan 2011 to 11^th Jan 2011 be present at Chennai, for our 34^th Conference of All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association.The Honorable Mayor of the Corporation of Chennai has agreed to head the Reception Committee of the Conference.

Thanking You,

Yours Comradely,

S.Mohan.

All India General Strike by Central Trade Unions on Sept 7, 2010

The representatives of the central trade unions and workers and employees Federations -- BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, UTUC AND LPF organised the second National Convention of the workers in New Delhi at Mavalankar Hall on July 15, 2010 and adopted the following declaration.

DECLARATION

The representatives of central trade unions and workers and employees federations having assembled in the second national convention of the workers on July 15, 2010, reviewed the joint action programme over five commonly agreed demands as decided in the first historic convention of workers on September 14, 2009. This convention considering the review of joint actions - all India protest day on October 28, 2009, massive dharna on December 16, 2009 and satyagraha/jail bharo on March 5, 2010 in which ten lakh workers participated and also considering the situation arising thereafter adopts the following declaration.

Despite the trade unions demanding effective steps to curb price rise, particularly food price inflation, food prices escalating as high as 17 per cent, inflation rising to double-digit, government continues to remain totally unresponsive to mitigate the deep sufferings of the working people;

Despite the trade unions expressing deep concern at the uninterrupted violation of labour laws and trade union rights, situation is becoming grim and repressive every day;

Despite trade unions protesting against job loss, underpayment, unbearable living conditions, lengthening working hours, rampant contractorisation, casualisation and outsourcing, nothing is being done to prevent the declining living conditions and inhuman exploitation of working masses;

Despite the trade unions opposing the disinvestment in the profit making public sector, the latest disinvestment being pushed through in Coal India Ltd, BSNL, SAIL, NLC, Hindustan Copper, NMDC etc.,the pernicious policy of reckless disinvestment is continuing with impunity;

Despite the trade unions earnestly asking for the setting up of a massive welfare fund for universal comprehensive social security coverage for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction, the fund allocation remain nominal and restrictive provisions continue.

The convention notes with concern that not only the protests of the trade unions are being ignored, the policy that accentuates increase in the prices of food grains is being constantly bulldozed, the latest is the deregulation of petroleum pricing linking it with the international market leading to hefty increase in the prices of kerosene, cooking gas, diesel, and petrol.The convention reiterates the unanimously formulated demands once again as under:

Price rise of essential commodities to be contained through appropriate corrective and distributive measures like universal PDS and containing speculation in commodity market

Concrete proactive measures to be taken for linkage of employment protection in the recession stricken sectors with the stimulus package being offered to the concerned entrepreneurs and for augmenting public investment in infrastructure

Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws

Steps to be taken for removal of all restrictive provisions based on poverty line in respect of eligibility of coverage of the schemes under the unorganised workers social security act 2008 and creation of national fund for the unorganised sector to provide for a national floor level social security to all unorganised workers including the contract/casual workers in line with the recommendation of national commission on enterprises in unorganised sector and parliamentary standing committee on labour

Disinvestment of shares of central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) is not resorted to for meeting budgetary deficit and instead their growing reserve and surplus be used for expansion and modernisation purposes and also for revival of sick public sector undertakings.

This national convention of workers, while exercising their constitutional and democratic rights seek to further its legitimate protest and call for immediate correction of the patently wrong policies that dangerously hurt the interests of the working people and the society as a whole, and to give vent to the feelings of the growing indignation of the working people.

The convention therefore resolves to call for an all India General strike on September 7, 2010.

The convention calls upon the entire working people of the country, irrespective of affiliations to rally everybody in the united call for countrywide general strike and make it a total success and intensify the struggle further and prepare for a massive march of the workers to parliament in November/December 2010.

Circular No 11

Dear Comrades,
Meeting With Pr.Director (Staff):
As a follow up to the meeting with DAI, the President and Secretary General had a meeting with Pr.Director of Staff on 19/03/2010. In the Meeting the Pr.Director (Staff) sought certain clarifications on the applicability of MACP Scheme to the AOs/Sr.AOs. In support of our demand for MACPS to AOs/SAOS by treating the AAO as entry cadre, the following arguments were cited.

MACPS TO AO/SAO: As per Point 5 of Annexure 1 to OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training), New Delhi, Dt 19th May, 2009, Promotions earned/upgradation granted under the ACP Scheme in the past to those grades which now carry the same grade pay due to merger of pay scales/upgradations of posts recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission shall be ignored for the purpose of granting upgradations under Modified ACPS. Further clarification on the applicability of point – 5 of MACP Scheme with regard to merger of four pay scales of Group D cadre was issued by DOPT in OM Dated 16.11.09.Based on the order and clarification, Clerk who was appointed in the cadre of Peon and got three promotions as Filer, Record keeper and Clerk prior to Jan 2006 was given two financial upgradation on completion of 30 years of service ignoring promotions to Filer and Record keeper as Peon, Filer and Record keeper were merged and given grade pay of Rs 1800. As per sixth CPC, Stenographer Grade II, Stenographer Grade I and Personal Secretary were merged and given Grade Pay Rs.4200. Subsequently the Ministry of Finance vide OM.Dated 13.11.09 decided that the pre revised scale of Rs.6500-200-10500 would be placed in PB-2 with a Grade Pay of Rs 4600 with effect from 1.1.2006. Accordingly C&AG in its letter dated 9.2.2010 has communicated to all heads of department in IA&AD the re designation of Stenographer cadre and requested to take appropriate action to review financial upgradations granted under MACPS to stenographer cadre. In view of the above Private Secretary who was appointed in the cadre of Stenographer Grade III and got three promotions as Stenographer Grade II, Stenographer Grade I (PA) and Private Secretary prior to Jan 2006 would be eligible for third financial upgradation on completion of 30 years of service ignoring promotions to Stenographer grade I & II. It was also implemented by our department in various offices by granting third financial upgradation with Grade pay of Rs.4800 to the cadre of Private Secretary. As on 1.1.2006, both Group D promotee clerk and Private Secretary were not continuing in the merged cadre and were granted financial upgradation to next higher Grade pay after completion of 10 years in the same Grade on the analogy of point – 5 of Annexure I of MACPS.

Similar dispensation should be extended to Section officer Grade. Audit Officers/ Sr.Audit Officers who were appointed as Section Officer on passing SOG examination and promoted as Asst. Audit Officer and Audit Officer /Sr.Audit Officer prior to Jan 2006 should also be considered for financial upgradation under MACP as Section Officer and Assistant Audit Officer were extended same grade pay of Rs 4800 as per Section II of Part B, First Schedule in the Sixth CPC notification dt 29th Aug 2008. Subsequently Section Officer and Assistant Audit Officer were merged and section officer was re-designated as Asst.Audit Officer. It is pertinent to note that for a query “Whether the promotions of UDCs to old Tax Assistant and old Tax Assistant to Inspector shall be counted two promotions or one for the purpose of MACPs owing to redesignation of old Tax Assistant to Sr.Tax Assistant in the higher pay scale of Rs5000-8000 & merger of pay scales of 5000-8000,Rs5500-8000 &Rs.6500-10500” it was clarified by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Department of revenue, Central Board of Excise & Customs vide No.F.No.A-26017/76/2009-AO-11A dated 29th September 2009 that if the pay scales of feeder grade and promotional grade have been merged on the recommendations of 6th CPC, such cases would be regulated in accordance with point No 5 of the MACP. Section Officer, the feeder grade was merged with Asst.Audit/Accounts Officer, the promotional Grade and therefore AO/Sr.AO would be eligible for third financial upgradation as per point – 5 of Annexure I of MACPS. On hearing our argument the Pr.Director (S) stated that the issue would be further examined and if found fit the proposal would be carried forward further.

Regarding Group “A” status to the Sr.Accounts/Audit Officers it was clarified that up to IV CPC the AO/SAO were placed at a grade higher than the entry level of IA & AS and degradation of the cadre started from 4th Central Pay Commission which placed entry level IA&AS Officers on par with the AOs and subsequent reduction in status by subsequent Pay Commissions should be rectified and the Status of the AOs restored to the original level. Only grant of Group “A” status would in the opinion of the Association, facilitate improvement of the Cadres in Future. Pr.Director (Staff) stated that the issue of conferring Group “A” Status to the SAOs is already under the consideration of the department.

The Pr.Director (staff) also informed that a note for enhancement of the Age limit for entry into the IAAS Cadre from 53 years to 55years is being processed.

However, it has been our experience that our demands would be met only if consistent pressure is maintained on the authorities. In view of this there will be no change in the Mass casual leave program me on 8th April 2010.
All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association Calls Upon All AOs/SAOs to participate in the Mass Casual Leave programme on 8th April 2010
The All India Audit and Accounts Officers Association has announced that on 8th April, there will be Mass Casual Leave programme throughout India to demand immediate steps to Up Grade the Grade Pay for Aos and Sr.Aos, enhancement of age limit for their promotion to IAAS, increasing their quota for promotion, and Cadre Review. The National Executive Committee of the Association felt that the preparations are on the right track and the response of the membership is quite encouraging. It has been further decided that effort should be made for unity on the charter of demands. It has been already decided to carry forward our initiative for unity and request the All India Federation of Sr. Audit Officers & Audit Officers to join the Mass CL programme of 8th April 2010. Secretary General attended their working committee held at Bhubaneswar Orissa on Feb 13th and 14th as a special invitee and appealed to their affiliates to join hands in the struggle of achieving our higher Grade Pay of Rs.6600 to AOs and Rs7600 to Sr.AOs. The National Executive calls upon every unit to make all out effort for the success of MASS CASUAL LEAVE programme on 8th APRIL 2010 a total success. All units should send the report about the number of CL applications collected by the unit upto 31st March evening along with staff strength position without fail.

Yours Fraternally,

S.Mohan.
Secretary General.