ALL INDIA AUDIT & ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATION
15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Ph: 0120-2881727/0 – 98681 45667
Website: www.auditflag.blogspot.com
Reference: AIA/Circular-20/2013 Dated: 24th August 2013
To
Unit Secretaries,
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of Women's Committee
Dear Comrades,
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.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally
(M.S.Raja)
Secretary General
