Dear Colleagues/Comrades,
Good evening.
Today, I and GS Mr Abhay Singh met with the CC of Customs (Prev) Zone, New Delhi in presence of the Commissioner of Customs during his Jaipur visit and submitted detailed representation for creation new Customs Commissionerate at Jaipur in addition to the existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur during implementation of ongoing Cadre Restructuring.
We discussed on each point of the representation justifying an urgent need of additional Commissionerate in Rajasthan and also sought their cooperation for removal prevailing acute stagnation and regional disparity in promotion of our cadre. We also pointed out that as per CR proposal there will only 120 Inspectors in Rajasthan in compraision to 160 working Inspector, which will ultimately result in an adverse effect on smooth functioning of Customs formations and requested for immediate action in this regard.
During discussion, we also drawn their attention towards the living/working condition & others problems being faced by executive officers in Customs formations, specially in LCS Manabao by diverted staff. The CC and Commissioner heard our submissions patiently and agreed with our genuine demand, but said that our Association has approached at 11 hours as the CR proposals have finalized and are being implemented shortly. However, on our further reasoned arguments/submissions both the officers have assured their possible best cooperation and agreed to forward our representation alongwith their favorable recommendations to the competent authority at the earliest.
Now, the Association team have further undertaken some important homework and planning to visit the DGHRD, Member (P&V) and Chairperson of the CBEC in coming days for possible best effort to convert the efforts into favorable result for betterment of the cadre.
With regards & love,
Comradely yours,
B L Meena, President
AICEIA (Rajasthan Circle)
A true copy of representation dt 3.9.13 is published below:-
Dated: 3rd
October, 2013
To,
The Chief Commissioner of Customs,
Customs (Prev) Zone,
New Delhi (camp at Jaipur)
Respected Sir,
Sub:-Request for creation new Customs
Commissionerates in Rajasthan, in addition to existing Customs (Prev)
Commissionerate, Jodhpur (Hqrs at Jaipur) to meet out rapidly expanding workload in Customs formations – regarding
With due respect, this
Association would like to draw your kind attention toward workload of increased
Customs formations in Rajasthan for creation of new Customs Commissionerate in
addition to existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur (Hqrs at Jaipur).
The officers working under Customs (Prev) Commissionerate in Rajasthan are
overloaded & over-burdened with workload of rapidly expanding Customs
formations in Rajasthan. The workload of increased Customs formations is beyond
control by the existing sanctioned strength of Customs (Prev) Commissionerate,
Jodhpur. Besides, the work relating to preventive measures, which is a basic
work of existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate-Jodhpur, also adversely
affecting due to diversion of staff for work of increased Customs formations. It is pertinent to mention here
that the officers are working under horrendous work pressure & stress
looking into the assigned workload viz-a-viz fear of consequences.
2. Though during the recent
years the state has witnessed a significant increase in Customs regular work as
well as in Customs formations, but the administrative set-up including the strength
of employees has remained unchanged. It has created a
system imbalance and regular acute storage of manpower is adversely affecting
the professional output of the officers of this esteemed department, who has
been guard of nation’s economic frontiers against all odds.
3. This Association submits
before your kind honor that during ongoing Cadre Restructuring the workload of
increased formations and typical geographical conditions of Rajasthan had not
been taken into account that is why that new Customs Commissionerate has not
been proposed in Rajasthan under jurisdiction of Customs (Prev) Zone, New Delhi
to meet out rapidly expanding workload of increased Customs formations. There
is an urgent & justified need of additional Customs Commissionerate at
Jaipur in addition to existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur. In this
regard our humble & reasoned submissions in support of the subject request
are as under for your sympathetic & favorable consideration:-
(A)
History & Jurisdiction of
Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur:-
The existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate,
Jodhpur exercises jurisdiction over the highly sensitive and vulnerable 1077
KMs (132,140 square miles)
long Indo-Pak border, topographically inaccessible and inhospitable desert /
semi-arid jurisdiction spanning across the entire state of Rajasthan.
The role of the Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur cannot be
neglected in the security of nation for trafficking of Narcotics, smuggling of
Gold & FICN and influx of Arms & Ammunitions in widely spread
international border in the State of Rajasthan that is why the Customs (Prev)
formations were created exclusively for preventive measures, in Rajasthan
during the year 1989 and now the same are working under the control of Customs
(Prev) Zone, New Delhi since 1997 in the name of Customs (Pre) Commissionerate,
Jodhpur (Hqrs at Jaipur).
The Anti-Smuggling task along the
entire International Border is being handled by 5 Customs Divisions, four of
them located at the headquarters of the four districts (Sriganganagar, Bikaner,
Jaisalmer & Barmer) having
international border with Pakistan. One division is having its headquarters at
Jodhpur. Total 17 Customs Ranges are working under these five divisions and the
same are located at places near to the international border. The Range offices
are manned by one Superintendent and three Inspectors each. An office of the
Additional Commissioner is working at Jodhpur to effectively supervise the
anti-smuggling task being performed by these formations.
(B)
Grounds for creation new Customs Commissionerate in Rajasthan:-
(1) No sanction of additional manpower in Cadre
Restructuring 2002:-
The Customs (Preventive) Zone, Delhi consists of 3
Customs (P) Commissionerate - at Delhi, Amritsar & Jodhpur but despite of
allocation of substantial number of posts in the last Cadre Restructuring-2002,
but not even a single new post was sanctioned to Customs (Prev) Commissionerate
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) In the Cadre Restructuring-2002, all the new sanctioned
posts of Customs (Prev) Zone, New Delhi were allocated to the Customs (Prev)
Commissionrates, Delhi & Amritsar.
In
Rajasthan Customs (General) work is also being handled by the existing
sanctioned strengthened of Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur. At the time
of the last cadre-restructuring in the year 2002, the following Customs
formations were in existence under this Commissionerate:-
(i)
Inland
Container Depots - Jaipur-2, Jodhpur-3 & Bhilwara-1
(ii)
Air
cargo complex, Jaipur-1
(iii)
Foreign
post office- Jaipur-1
However,
no regular posts were sanctioned for these facilities at that time and the work
was being handled by ad-hoc posts. Now the cost-recovery regime has been
discontinued therefore, the ad-hoc posts are not being filled up.
(2) Additional
Customs formations created after Cadre Restructuring of 2002:-
After the cadre-restructuring in
the year 2002, the following additional Customs formations have been created in
the jurisdiction of Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur:-
(i)
International
Airport, Sanganer Jaipur,
(ii)
Land
Customs Station (Rail), Munabao (Barmer),
(iii) Inland Container Depot (CONCOR),
Kota,
(iv)
Inland
Container Depot ( RAJSICO), Bhiwadi,
(v)
Air
Cargo (JGE), Jaipur City.
However,
additional staff has not yet been sanctioned for smooth functioning &
effectively monitoring of these increased Customs formations and temporary
arrangement has been made by drawing staff from various Customs preventive
formations of existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur, which has also adversely
affected to result of preventive measures in Rajasthan. Moreover, the Customs work related to the
Private Bonded Warehouses is being looked after the jurisdictional Central
Excise formations.
(3) Growth in Import-Export viz-a-viz
acute shortage on manpower:-
The Customs (Import & Export) work has significantly
grown over these years. An inland container depot has started functioning since
March 2005 in Kota which caters to the needs of exporters of stone from
Kota-Bundi region of the state. Another
inland container depot has started functioning at Bhiwadi (a fast growing
industrial estate near Delhi). An air cargo complex has also become operational
in the heart of Jaipur city to cater to the needs of gems and jewellery sector
which has a huge potential in the future in terms of both imports and
exports. All these Customs formations
have grown considerably in terms of volume and value of imports and exports as
also revenue as detailed below:-
Customs
Import Export work during year 2001-02:-
(Rs. In Crores)
PORT
|
Export
|
Import
|
|||||
SB
|
TEUs
|
FOB
|
BE
|
TEUs
|
CIF
|
Gross Revenue
|
|
ICD’s
|
23358
|
16549
|
903.82
|
630
|
1021
|
76.19
|
17.25
|
ACC
|
10851
|
-
|
880.25
|
2856
|
-
|
502.10
|
2.86
|
FPO
|
6242
|
-
|
101.37
|
716
|
-
|
2.80
|
0.74
|
Total
|
40451
|
1885.44
|
4202
|
581.09
|
20.85
|
||
Customs
Import Export Trend During last two FY 2011-12 & 2012-13:-
(Rs. In Crores)
Year
|
Export
|
Import
|
||||||
SB Filed
|
TEUs
|
FOB
|
BE Filed
|
TEUs
|
CIF
|
Gross Revenue
|
||
2011-12
|
72690
|
57227-
|
10538.4
|
12501
|
16773
|
3850.2
|
125.95
|
|
2012-13
|
76122
|
65506
|
18803.4
|
13057
|
24072
|
5248.98
|
277.09
|
|
2013-14
(upto Aug.2013)
|
27244
|
24319
|
5009.1
|
4900
|
7426
|
2018.25
|
134.45
|
|
Growth
of 2012-13 in compare to
Year
2001-02
|
188.18%
|
395.83%
|
997.29%
|
310.73%
|
2357%
|
903.29%
|
1328.95%
|
|
Hence, these increased Customs
formations (except International Airport and LCS, Munabao) need staff in the
following manner:-
|
S.No.
|
Post
|
Purpose
|
Number
of posts
|
|
1.
|
Deputy
Commissioner
|
In
charge
|
1
|
|
1.
|
Superintendent
|
Imports
|
3
|
|
2.
|
Superintendent
|
Exports
|
3
|
|
3.
|
Inspector
|
Imports
|
4
|
|
4.
|
Inspector
|
Exports
|
4
|
|
5.
|
Tax
Assistant
|
Imports
|
2
|
|
6.
|
Tax
assistant
|
Exports
|
2
|
Further, it is expected that export
of agriculture products from Bikaner and Sriganganagar districts of the state
will need opening of separate Inland Container Depots at those locations.
Wooden handicraft will be another important export product at those locations.
Export of wooden handicraft from Churu and Sikar districts of the state is also
expected to grow with the opening up of new facilities nearer to the places of
manufacture of these items. However, this aspect is not being taken into
account for the present and the plan has been prepared for the presently
existing Customs formations only.
(4) Increased
workload at International Airport, Jaipur & LCS Munabao:-
It is worthwhile to mention here that no additional staff strength has
been sanctioned for the Land Customs Station at Munabao (Barmer) and the
International Airport at Jaipur and these new & sensitive Customs
formations are also being manned by diverting staff from other Customs
formations. Hence, a large number of officers have been diverted from the
Customs preventive formations, which adversely affect the working of the preventive
formations. As a matter of fact, the present sanctioned strength of existing
Customs (Prev) Commissionerate cannot be spared permanently for these additional
Customs formations.
(i)
International Airport, Jaipur:-
This Airport was not operating in the international
sector at the time of last cadre restructuring hence, there was no question of
sanction of posts at that time. Now the Airport has been accorded international
status and at least three international flights (to Dubai, Sharjah and Oman)
are operating daily from this Airport. Presently this airport handles around
800 passengers a day and the number is expected to grow in future with
introduction of new international flights (BANKOK in Dec.2013). The increased
workload can be measured from the detailed table given below:-
Passenger
clearance at International Airport Sanganer, Jaipur:-
Year
2001-02
|
Year
2012-13
|
Year
2013-14 (upto Aug, 2013)
|
|||
No. of Passengers at arrival
|
No. of Passengers at Departure
|
No. of Passengers at arrival
|
No. of Passengers at Departure
|
No. of Passengers at arrival
|
No. of Passengers at Departure
|
2077
|
1132
|
119163
|
120868
|
48118
|
52323
|
Jaipur, being a major place of tourist interest, possibilities of greater number of chartered and direct International flights landing at Jaipur in the coming days are very bright. Expected future growth in the number of passengers is detailed below:-
1. Since Jaipur is a major tourist destination it is expected that the
number of international tourists will grow with introduction of new flights.
2. The export and import of gems and jewellery is growing fast and a large
number of international passengers will be contributed by the importers/
exporters of gems and jewellery.
3. Rajasthan and especially Shekhawati region supplies a large number of
manpower to the Arab courtiers. These persons working in the gulf are regular
passengers and their number is growing at a regular pace.
4. Haz flights direct from Jaipur airport have since become operational
and the number of passengers going for Haz from Rajasthan is quite large.
5. International flights for Delhi airport are many times diverted to this
airport in view of adverse weather conditions or congestion.
6. International Airport, Jaipur is going to be accorded the status of
fully functional international airport with effect from the year 2008.
In view of above, as per study of
this Association, the requirement of staff for International Airport, Jaipur
would be as under:-
S.
No.
|
Designation
|
Number
of posts required
|
1
|
Addl./Joint
Commissioner
|
1
|
2
|
Dy./Asstt.
Commissioner
|
3
|
3
|
Superintendent
|
20
|
4
|
Inspector
|
30
|
5
|
P.A.
|
4
|
6
|
Lady
Searcher
|
4
|
7
|
Hindi
Typist
|
2
|
8
|
Sepoys
|
10
|
9
|
Driver
|
4
|
10
|
Admn.
Officer
|
1
|
11
|
Ministerial
Staff (1-DOS + 3-STA/TA)
|
4
|
12
|
Farrash
|
2
|
13
|
Sweeper
|
2
|
Since the staff requirement for the
Jaipur Airport has been drawn assuming movement of approximately 1000
passengers each day, Airport would require to be manned on double shift basis.
Accordingly, three posts of DC/AC, one each for the two shifts and third for
the Preventive / Intelligence would be required. Similarly, thirty Inspectors
would be required, 15 each for the two shifts, six for the Customs counters in
Arrival Hall, three in Departure Hall, one each in both the Halls as PRO / Help
Desk / Conveyor Belt/ X-Ray, three Inspectors for the AIU and two others for
Administrative / Warehouse / Leave reserve. Seven Superintendents would be
required on per shift basis, considering one for the two counters, thus
requiring five Superintendents in both the Halls, one for the AIU and the other
for Administrative / Escort Duty / Leave Reserve etc.
(ii) Land Customs Station (Rail), Munabao
(Barmer):-
This land
Custom Station is most sensitive in respect of smuggling as well as and
national security. The rail link between Munbao (Rajasthan) and Khokrapar (Pakistan)
has been functional in full fledged manner w.e.f. 18.2.2006 on weekly basis.
In the year 1987, the Ministry has sanctioned 54
posts in different cadres vide their letter F.No. A-11013/20/85 Ad.IV dated
7.01.87 with condition that “the
filling up of the posts for manning the LCS at Munabao will however coincide
with the opening Rail link with pakistan in Rajasthan Section. The date for
filling up of these posts will be notified separately by CBEC in consultation
with IFU”. (Annexure-A)
Now, the LCS,
Munabao has become operational and the work related to customs clearance is
being handled by Customs staff drawn temporarily from other Customs preventive
posts/formations at the border, but neither the aforesaid sanctioned posts nor
any additional posts have arrived in the name of this increased work.
In view of above, as per study of this Association, the
requirement of staff for smooth functioning and better effective monitoring of
LCS, Muanabao (Barmer) would be as under:-
S.
No.
|
Name
of the Post
|
Purpose
|
No.
of Posts
|
1.
|
DC/
AC
|
Incoming and outgoing trains
|
2
|
1
|
Superintendent
|
One
each at ten counters separately for incoming and outgoing trains plus
Preventive/ Technical/ PRO/ Disposal
|
34
|
2
|
Inspector
|
Two
each for ten counters separately for incoming and outgoing trains plus
Preventive (5), Technical/PRO/Disposal (5)
|
50
|
3
|
Lady
Searcher
|
Two each for incoming and
outgoing trains
|
4
|
4
|
Sepoy/
Hawaldar
|
One each at incoming and outgoing
counters
|
40
|
While drawing up the above
requirement it has been kept in view that preventive angle is always required
to be kept in mind while clearing passengers to and fro Pakistan in view of
past experience while faster clearance of international passengers is an
international responsibility of every nation but making checks on anti national
activities is also required.
Further to above, it is estimated
that the weekly train is likely to be run thrice a week in view of the greater
number of passengers desirous of traveling by this train and there is also a
likelihood of a cargo train/ truck facility being started for goods trade
between India and Pakistan in near future.
Lack of basic infrastructure facilities at LCS,
Manabao & other problems of diverted staff:-
It would not be out of place to
mention here there lack of basis infrastructure facilities at LCS, Munabao
whereas the deputed officers have to perform their hard duties under under atrocious work pressure & stress
looking into the assigned workload
viz-a-viz fear of consequences.
Besides, the officers are entrusted on rotation
basis from Customs Divisions and Ranges from all over the border situated from
200 to 600 Kms in distance. As such, an officer has to perform an extensive
tedious journey of 5 to 15 hrs before performing duties of at the most
sensitive LCS at Pakistan border. The officers have to reach Barmer on
penultimate night without much facilities of stay. On next day i.e. Saturday,
after travelling from Barmer to Munabao in early morning, the duty starts at
0600 hrs in morning which may extend to 36 hrs resulting extensive physical & mental fatigue and other problems by
the diverted executive officers.
In view of above, as per study of this Association, the
total additional requirement of staff for smooth & effective functioning of
all above mentioned additional Customs formations would be as under:-
Total
additional staff requirement for Customs:-
S.No.
|
Facility
|
DC/
AC
|
Superintendent
|
Inspector
|
1.
|
ICD CONCOR Jaipur
|
1
|
6
|
8
|
2.
|
ICD CONCOR Jodhpur
|
1
|
6
|
8
|
3.
|
ICD CONCOR Kota
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
4.
|
ICD RAJSICO Jaipur
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
5.
|
ICD RAJSICO Jodhpur
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
6.
|
ICD RAJSICO Bhilwara
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
7.
|
ICD RAJSICO Bhiwadi
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
8.
|
ICD TDP Jodhpur
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
9.
|
Air Cargo, Jaipur city
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
10.
|
Air Cargo Complex Sanganer
|
1
|
4
|
8
|
11.
|
Foreign Post Office
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
12.
|
LCS Munabao
|
2
|
34
|
50
|
13.
|
International Airport
|
3
|
20
|
30
|
Total
|
15
|
96
|
156
|
In addition to above, at least seven
(7) posts of Additional/ Joint Commissioner are also required to be created as
follows:-
1.
For
International Airport - 1 post
2.
For
LCS Munabao - 1 post
3.
For
11 other facilities - 5 posts
In view of
above, this Association fond hope that your goodself will be agreed with urgent
requirement and justification of our request for creation of new Customs
Commissionerate in Rajasthan in addition to existing Customs (Prev)
Commissionerate, Jodhpur.
(5) Disparity
in proposing new Customs Commissionerate in Cadre Restructuring:-
The Customs (Preventive) Zone, Delhi is
consisting of 3 Customs (Prev) Commissionerate – at Delhi, Amritsar &
Jodhpur. Delhi Customs has a regular Customs Commissionerate apart from the
Customs (Prev) Commissionerate and during the current Cadre Restructuring, new
Customs Commissionerate is proposed at Ludhiana in addition to the existing Customs
(Prev) Commissionerate at Amritsar. On the same ground, allocation of new
Customs Commissionerate in Rajasthan is an urgent need & justified.
The relevant
references as mentioned in Cadre Restructuring proposals for creation of
Customs Commissionerates in other Zones, are as under:-
“Although
Amritsar Customs (P) Commissionerate does not qualify on revenue / work-load
parameters for creation / allocation of a regular Customs Commissionerate, yet
in its Cadre Restructuring proposals for reorganization of Customs Zones, the
Board has proposed to create an additional Commissionerate at Ludhiana by
bifurcating it on the premise that:-
“..the reorganization of Customs (P)
formations cannot be done on the basis of quantifiable parameters and the same
has to be done keeping in view the vulnerability of geographical regions over
which these formations exercise jurisdictions. Customs (P) Commissionerates
should be so organized that their main focus remains Customs Preventive work
and it does not get diluted by any revenue collection related functions.”
Para vi on page 53 of the Cadre Restructuring
Proposals
Similarly, the Tuticorin &
Tiruchirapally Commissionerates under the Chennai Customs (Prev) Zone have been
retained despite not fulfilling the criterion of revenue / work-load parameter
on the ground that :-
“Being Customs (P) Formations, the
existence of the two Commissionerates need not be justified on the basis of
quantifiable parameters such as number of Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills
etc. These two Commissionerates cover the entire highly sensitive coastline
(except the coastline falling within the jurisdiction of Chennai Customs Zone)
of the State of Tamil Nadu.”
Para iv on page 52 of the Cadre Restructuring
Proposals
However,
ironically, the same analogy has not been applied in the case of Jodhpur
Customs (Prev) Commissionerate which alone exercises jurisdiction over the
highly sensitive and vulnerable 1077 KMs long Indo-Pak border (as against the
561 KM long international border of Punjab state), and is area-wise by far the
largest (3.42 lac Sq. KMs, as against the 0.50 lac Sq. KMs area of Punjab),
topographically inaccessible and inhospitable desert / semi-arid jurisdiction
spanning across the entire state of Rajasthan.
(6) Efforts
for sanction of additional staff:-
Sir, it is
worthwhile to mention here that Customs
administration had realised shortage of manpower since 2006 that is why the
worthy Chief Commissioner & Commissioner of Rajasthan had written several
letter to the competent authorities of the Ministry / Board from time to
time to meet out rapidly expanding
workload of increased Customs formation.
The worthy
Commissioner of Customs, Jodhpur had written a letter C.No.
II-31(1)Estt/Cus/2009/10939 dated 6.11.2009 (copy enclosed) to the Chief
Commissioner (Prev), New Delhi alongwith detailed proposal for sanction of
additional posts justifying the workload vis-a-vis requirement of manpower to
increase the operational efficiency in increased Customs formations of Rajasthan.
Lastly, letter C.No. II-3(10)Estt/Cus/2012/10987 dated 27.9.2012 has also been
written to O/o the Chief Commissioner (Prev), New Delhi requesting for sanction
of additional posts with reference to earlier letters.
4. In view of the above, your kind honor is
requested to please send a proposal alongwith your valuable recommendations on
our following genuine & justified
demands to the Board and DGHRD for redressal
during implementation of ongoing Cadre Restructuring:-
(i)
Creation additional Customs
Commissionerate at Jaipur in addition to existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate, Jodhpur,
(ii)
Allocation of more staff to the existing Customs (Prev) Commissionerate
and,
(iii)Basic infrastructure facilities at
LCS, Munabao (Barmer).
Your
favourable action will also help in justice to the stagnated cadres under your
caring supervision. The
overloaded and stagnated members of this Association shall be ever grateful to
you for such kind of natural justice.
With fond hope of favorable & an
early action.
Yours sincerely,
sd/- 3.9.13
sd/- 3.9.13
(B L Meena) (Abhay Singh)
President General Secretary
AICEIA (Rajasthan Circle)
AICEIA (Rajasthan Circle)
Copy for
information requesting similar favorable action to:-
1. The Commissioner of Customs, Jodhpur
(Hqrs at Jaipur).
2. The President / Secretary General of the
All India Federation.
3. All Divisional Representatives/Delegates
of AICEIA (Rajasthan Circle).
4. Notice Board / Association’s Blog – aiceiajaipur.blogspot.com
sd/-3.9.13
General Secretary
AICEIA (Rajasthan Circle)
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