The
Bilateral meeting with Shri Shankar Narayan, DAI was held on 23rd
August 2013. Ms Annie G Mathew, DG, Staff, Shri Ranjit Singh, AC (N) and
Shri ML Tamrakar, AO/JCM were present from the official side. The Association
was represented by, besides the Secretary General, Comrades M Duraipandian,
President, Subhash Chandra Pandey, Vice President and Com V. Nageswara Rao,
Additional Secretary General.
Gist
of the discussion is given below. (Explanatory memorandum submitted by the
Association have already been published in the Auditlekha Samanvay of July
2013)
AT
the outset, we stated that the agenda for discussion is the Charter of Demands,
which is always a combination of statement of organisational position on issues
and declared goals along with specific demands.
1.
Strengthen Audit & Accounts to Safeguard People's Rights
Stop down-sizing;
Stop outsourcing & privatisation of Audit & Accounts; Scrap
Curtailment/shedding of Audit functions in the name of Audit
Plan; ensure continuance of the existing Accounting and Auditing methodologies
and appropriate party days with scientific work norms; ensure effective
Panchayati Raj Audit & Accounts by sanctioning adequate posts; revisit
restructuring of Audit effected from 1..4. 2012.
A detailed
discussion took place on the agenda. DAI explained that the expansion of PRI
audit is not possible as the State Govts are unwilling to handover the Audit to
CAG.
It was assured that the staff
related problems on account of the restructuring of Audit with effect from
1.4.2012 would be looked into. From our side, we expressed our concern over the
drastic reduction in the compliance/transaction audit.
2.
a) Amend Company Law and DPC Act for Audit of Public Sector
Undertakings & Corporations even after
reduction of Government share to below 50%.
b) Amend Company Law to ensure the Audit
by IA&AD of all Public Limited Companies listed with Securities
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
c) Enact necessary law to bring audit of all public Financial
Institutions by IA&AD.
There was no discussion on the matter. We sought the co-operation of the
authorities in involving ourselves in campaigns on these positions as also on
issues stated at 1. The energy of the Association is forced to be diverted on
fighting victimisation of its leaders and cadres.
3. Restructure the
audit/accounts cadres as per submitted by this Association &:
i) De-merge the erstwhile Record Keeper from MTS and be granted GP of 1900.
ii) Upgrade the cadre of LDC and re-designate as Audit Assistant with GP of
2400. Existing LDCs may be promoted as Auditor (Accountant) as a onetime
measure.
Grant the following Grades Pay to other cadres
Auditor/Accountant – 4200,
SA
– 4600,
AAO – 4800 & 5400 (PB2) on completion of 4 years,
AO– 6600
SAO
- 7600
iii) Ensure equal opportunity in promotion to stenos of the same
station.
The Association stated that it would submit a more comprehensive note on
restructuring of cadres.
We submitted the position that the record keepers who were Gr C prior to CCS
(RP) 2008 are now clubbed with erstwhile Gr D and forced to do such jobs as of
watchmen etc. We therefore demanded that the post of RK may be delineated from
MTS with GP 1900. We further submitted that the LDC posts may be abolished and
upgraded to GP 2400 merging with DEO. We also insisted that there should be no
separate cadre of DEO as it would not have promotional prospects.
DAI appreciated the position and said it would be examined.
The promotional prospects of Stenographers in the field offices were also discussed.
DAI stated that the concern expressed is well taken and effort to find a
solution would be attempted.
4. a) Vacate victimisation of
Association activists.
b) Allow democratic functioning of Association without interference from administration
We explained the position existing in various offices. DAI assured to examine
the issue.
As regards denial of special casual leave, non granting of meetings by
Accountants General, obstructing functioning of the Association etc. it
was assured that instructions in this regard would be issued afresh.
The issue of blanket denial of permission for holding demonstration in the
office premises was raised by us and requested that the specific Para in the
Circular issued in February 2012 may be deleted.
5.
Fill Up all
vacant posts through local recruitment.
There was a detailed discussion on the subject. The need for knowledge of local
language by our personnel was accepted by DAI. We proposed that we may de-link
from SSC and adopt the recruitments method adopted by Postal Deptt. where the
criteria is only the marks scored by the applicant in the University or Board
exams.
DAI assured to take up the matter with SSC, pointing out the functional
requirement of the department.
6. i) Withdraw annual audit criteria
introduced vide letter dt 27 January 2011.
ii) Stop unilateral implementation of transfer policy in Commercial Audit &
P&T Audit
On both the points, DAI assured to cross check with concerned wings.
7. Implement Arbitration Award on SA
pay Scale
The item was not further discussed as it is already being pursued with Govt of
India.
8.
Permit all Employees in the GP of 1800 to appear
for all Departmental Exams including SOGE.
DAI did not agree with the proposal of the Association.
The Association was informed that DOPT is objecting to the present system
of SAS examination fast tracking promotion to AAO.
9. Extend benefits of MACP to Assistant
Audit/Accounts Officers by treating promotion to AAO as
direct recruitment; withdraw the order treating promotion from Section Officer
to Assistant Audit Officer between 01.01.2006 to 01.09.2008 as null and void.
The Association made a detailed presentation on the item. DAI appreciated the
situation and assured to have the issue examined afresh.
On being explained that department has issued circular giving option for pay
fixation in the case of those affected by "null & void" circular,
part II of the item was not discussed further.
10. Designate Supervisor as AAO & Earmark 20% of
AAO post for seniority cum fitness
promotion
Re-designation of Supervisor as AAO was not agreed to. DAI assured to examine
the demand for raising the percentage of Supervisor post.
11.
Remove differential treatment on pay
fixation on promotion vis-à-vis direct recruitees in all cadres.
The item was not discussed as it is to be decided by the Deptt of Expr. We were
informed that the Deptt is pursuing the matter.
12.
Stop downsizing of P&T Audit Offices; conduct audit of private service
providers as per TRAI regulations.
We were told that more than 300 Auditor/DEO have been recruited in various
P&T Audit in the recent past.
DAI agreed to examine the demand for audit of private service providers.
13.
Re-imburse
hotel charges to Railway Audit personnel wherever Railway accommodation is not
allotted while on tour.
The demand was appreciated; it was informed that the issue cannot be resolved
without taking Railway Board on board. We were assured that efforts would be
made in this regard.
14.
Restore
unilateral transfer policy.
Not agreed to – for the reasons that vacancy position is yet to be at
satisfactory level and majority of the recruits are from outstation.
DAI stated that the relaxation can be considered only for physically
handicapped personnel-after a cooling period.
15.
Restore
metal Pass facility to AAOs in Railway Audit
The demand was appreciated. It was clarified that the issue is to be pursued
with Railway Board and would be taken up.
16.
Grant
increment and Grade Pay of 4800 from the day of Passing of SOGE
After
detailed discussion, we requested that during the waiting period – this
position is acute in the cases of Commercial audit SAS passed candidates and Civil
audit SAS passed candidates from A&E wing – the SAS passed candidates may atleast
be granted one increment ie 3% of the pay, till promotion or transfer,
as the case may be.
DAI
agreed to have the demand examined.
In
addition to the items listed above, we also raised the issue of additional
chances for SAS examination as well as the introduction of negative marks for
SAS and incentive/RA exam.
DAI
assured to look into the matter.
On
the issue of arrears of pay in the light of judicial pronouncements on the case
filed of comrades of Railway Accounts from Thiruvananthapuram, we were informed
that Department is following up the matter with Govt.
Source: A.I.A. & A.A. dated 25 Aug 2013.
