Circular 14

ALL INDIA AUDIT & ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATION
AUDIT LEKHA BHAWAN
15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Ph: 0120-2881727/4101593/ 0 – 98681 45667
E-mail: auditflag1923@gmail.com
Website: www.auditflag.blogspot.com

Reference: AIA/Circular 14/2009 Date: June 5, 2009

To
Unit Secretaries,
Members of Women's Committee &
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE

Dear Comrades,

Minutes of Bilateral Meeting with Pr Director, Staff

The minutes of the bilateral meeting with Pr. Director, Staff on 20th April 2009 has been received. The same is reproduced.
As you will see from the responses of the Pr Director, Staff there is some forward movement on resolution of the staff problems, though it may not be upto the level one would expect it to be.
We will have to understand that the policy of engaging the administration in continued dialogue while backing our demands with programmatic actions without compromising on basic tenets has in the long run started yielding some results.

CAG writes to Govt on Grant of GP 4200 to Auditor/Accountant

In the bilateral meeting on 20th April 2009 PD, Staff had agreed to take the issue of placing of Auditors/Accountants in PB2 with Grade Pay 4200. We are informed by the administration that the administration has already written to the Govt. on this issue of placement of Auditor/Accountant in PB2, GP 4200.

Cadre Review Report

We are informed that Cadre Review Report has been finalised and it has been submitted to CAG for approval. We have been assured by CAG that the Association would be consulted before its implementation. The administration has so far refused to divulge even a hint on what the report contains, except stating that they will share the report with Association once it is approved by CAG.
With greetings,

Yours fraternally


(M. S. Raja)
Secretary General



RECORD NOTE OF DISCUSSION WITH PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR (STAFF)

Copy of CAG's office letter No.227 NGE (JCM)/17 -2009 dated 26.05.2009.
To
The Secretary General,
All India Audit & Accounts Association,
Audit Lekha Bhawan, 15/2089090,
Vasundhara (P.O.)
Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P)
Pin-201012.

Subject: - Record Note of discussion with Principal Director (Staff)
I am to invite a reference to the Agenda meeting held by the Principal Director (Staff) with the representatives of All India Audit & Accounts Association on 20.4.2009 at 3 P.M. A Record Note of Discussion to agenda items is enclosed herewith.
Sd/-
(Saurabh Narain)
Asstt. Comptroller & Auditor General (N)
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTENDED THE AGENDA MEETING HELD BY PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR (STAFF) WITH OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ALL INDIA AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS ASSOCITION ON 20.04.2009 AT 3.00 P.M.
Shri Deepak Anurag Principal Director (Staff)
Shri Saurabh Narain AC (N)
Shri M.L.Tamrakar AO (JCM)
Shri M.S.Raja Secretary General (of the Association)
Shri M.Duraipandian President (of the Association)
Shri V.Nageswar Rao Addl. Secretary General (of the Association)
Shri V.Sreekumar Addl. Secretary General (of the Association)
Shri A.S.Rawat Asstt. Secretary General (of the Association)


Demand No: 1. a) Vacate victimisation of Association activists.
b) Allow democratic functioning of Association without interference from administration
PD (Staff) stated that issues relating to so called victimisation in the context of the situation in Kerala had already been discussed by the Association in their informal meeting with CAG of India. CAG had laid down boundaries for both sides to pursue and that nothing could be stated in the present meeting beyond this. However, specific instances of 'interference' or 'victimisation' could be discussed. Thereafter, following specific instances were brought up by the Association.
1. Uniform quorum: PD (Staff) stated that the associations were requested to observe a uniform quorum of 1/3rd in the Executive Committee/ General Body meetings after receiving a clarification in this regard from DoPT. About 90% of the Associations had amended their constitutions to make provision for the same. The Association highlighted organisational problems with such a quorum as it was difficult to attain. After deliberation, it was decided to reserve the issue for discussions at higher level.
2. Amending Association's constitution to provide for Biennial Conference: PD (Staff) stated that the CCS (RSA) Rules required submission of annual accounts. However, the Association, due to the Triennial Conference, was unable to provide annual accounts. Hence, the move to seek the said amendment. It was agreed that Association would provide annual accounts after these were approved by the Executive Committee.
3. Re-verification of membership of associations in Tamil Nadu: It was informed that the concerned field office had received fresh applications for recognition of associations. During scrutiny, it was observed that some of associations seeking recognition were named after national personalities. This was not covered under the provisions of CCS (RSA) Rules. The matter has been referred to the DoPT for opinion. The clarification is awaited. However, the issue of re-verification of membership of associations other than the fresh applications of disputed proposed associations would e looked into. Likewise, present situation in Nagpur would also be checked.
4. Grant of special casual leave for organisation work and to members of SO (Commercial)/ AAO (Commercial) Associations in Kerala: The PD (Staff) stated that the issue would be examined afresh in the context of GOI's decisions in this regard.
5. Suspension of Shri P.C.Parikh of Rajkot office: - PD (Staff) stated that the Headquarters would look into the matter after obtaining facts of the case from Rajkot office.
Demand No. 2: Strengthen Audit & Accounts to Safeguard People's Right-
a) Stop down sizing; Stop outsourcing & privatisation of Audit & Accounts; Scrap curtailment/shedding of Audit functions in the name of Audit Plan.
b) Ensure continuance of the existing Accounting and Auditing methodologies and appropriate party days with scientific work norms.
c) Ensure effective Panchayati Raj Audit & Accounts by sanctioning more posts.
PD (Staff) stated that audit planning using risk based methodologies is integral to modern auditing methods. Risk based audit was in fact always executed in one form or the other. This is essential for effective utilisation of audit resources. PD (Staff) also informed that several initiatives are being discussed in the Department for increasing the reach and effectiveness of audit especially in Green Field Areas.
PD (Staff) intimated that a review of requirement of officers and staff is also underway and this exercise is looking at issues such as officer-staff ratio, work norms, man power requirement and cadre management issues. The Association will be taken into confidence at an appropriate stage.
PD (Staff) also informed that staff strength in the Department has been reduced due to attrition and application of GOI instructions on filling up of posts/recruitment. However, this position has now been reviewed and it has been decided to take up recruitment at the level of auditors and DEOs. While in newly created Accounts Officers recruitment to the post of Accountants is also being taken up, in other Accounts Offices recruitment will be considered only after staff requirements are reassessed based on a work study and evolution of new work norms.
Demand No. 3: Re-designate LDC as Audit/Accounts Assistant, grant PB-1, GP 2800 (4500-7000 pre- revised) and grant the following pay scales to other cadres maintaining vertical relativity.
Auditor/Accountant/Steno Gr II : PB2, GP 4200
SA/Steno Gr I : PB2, GP 4600
SO/AAO/Private Secretary : PB2, GP 4800
& PB3 GP 5400 on completion of 4 years
AO : PB3, GP 6600
SAO : PB3, GP 7600
As regard Association's query on pay scale of DEO appearing in advertisements brought out by SSC, it was stated that pre-revised pay scale of Rs.4000-6000/- was mentioned in the requisition. However, it would be checked with the SSC whether they had advertised pay scale of DEO as Rs.4500-7000/- (pre-revised) as brought up by Association.
As regard the pay scales and re-designation of cadres, it was stated by PD (Staff) that these matters are part of the ongoing process of cadre review which would probably be concluded in next 3-4 months. The Association would be taken in to confidence in this regard at an appropriate stage. PD (Staff) further stated that grant of grade pay of Rs.4200/- to Auditor/Accountants would be taken up once again with the Ministry of Finance.
Demand No.4: Fill up all vacant posts and sanction adequate post as per the agreement of 16.10.1992.
PD (Staff) stated that direct recruitment is being undertaken in Auditor cadre in offices where the vacancy position in Sr. Auditor/Auditor cadre is more than 35% of the sanctioned strength. Further, it was also informed that requisitions for filling up of a total of 921 vacancies of Auditors/Accountants had already been placed with SSC through recruitment examinations of 2006 and 2008. The SSC would also forward shortly 500 dossiers for the posts of Auditors from amongst selected candidates of examination conducted last year. In addition, requisitions for filling up 800 vacancies of DEOs have also been placed with the SSC. Direct recruitment of Accountants is being made for newly created deficit offices i.e. Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. PD (Staff) further stated that bulk recruitment was not being taken up in any cadre as it would create stagnation in future. Therefore, the process adopted was one of staggered inductions.
Demand No.5: 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.
Not discussed.
Demand No. 6: Step up of pay of senior promotees who exhausted ACP, in the event of juniors drawing more pay on getting ACP.
Not discussed.
Demand No.7: Grant ACP on hierarchical pattern.
PD (Staff) stated that after analysis and examination of the modified ACP scheme, it was felt that this was more advantageous in the long run for our staff as it allowed 3 upgradations. Further, other measures could be considered departmentally for alleviating at the level of Group 'D' and Clerks.
Demand No. 8: Re-designate Supervisor as Section Officer and grant further promotion upto AO/SAO; earmark 20% of AAO (SO) cadre for Supervisors.
It was stated that this issue was also a part of ongoing process of cadre review. The strength of Supervisor would be decided taking in to account the strength of merged cadre of SO/AAOs. However, the percentage may not be 20%.
As regard re-designation of the post of Supervisor, the PD (Staff) stated that this is a bigger issue which could be discussed later.
Demand No.9: Grant promotion to employees against the direct recruitment quota.
As the demand had been settled, it was not discussed with the PD (Staff).
Demand No.10: Regularise the ad-hoc Section Officers by creating sufficient posts promote all SOGE passed hands as one time measure.
As the demand had been settled, it was not discussed with the PD (Staff).
Demand No.11: Restore unilateral transfer policy.
It was stated that restoration of unilateral transfers is not feasible in present situation.
Demand No.12: Restoration of provision of Metal Passes to AAO's working in Railway Audit Offices.
Not discussed.
Demand No.13: Remove the economic criteria for compassionate ground appointment and re-open all past cases.
As the demand had been settled, it was not discussed with the PD (Staff).
Demand No.14: Revise TA/DA rates and permit self certification to claim re-imbursement of food and conveyance charges.
PD (Staff) stated that it was not feasible to allow self certification as a rule for each claim of TA/DA. However, based on the difficulties faced by the staff the matter was referred to the Ministry. The Ministry of Finance, rather than relax any provision of new TA Rules, gave an option of old TA Rules in case officers found it difficult to produce vouchers etc in support of their claim under the new rules.
However, it was assured that a reference would be made to the Ministry of Finance seeking upward revision of old TA/DA rates possibly linking them to the existing price index as it has been done for some other allowances by the 6th CPC.
Demand No.15: Restore the scheme of granting three increments on passing departmental Confirmatory examination.
Not discussed.
Demand No.16: Grant one increment on Pay + Grade Pay of AAO/SO on passing of SOG Examination.
Not discussed.
The following issues, which were not in the Agenda, were also discussed.
Demand No.17: Placement of matriculate Group 'D' officials in PB-1, Grade Pay Rs.1900.
It was stated that the recommendation of 6th CPC did not differentiate between matriculate and non-matriculate Group 'D' on their placement in Pay Band-1 with Grade Pay Rs.1800. The said recommendations related to upgradation of skills of unskilled officials. After re-training, the non-matriculate Group 'D' they would be placed at par with matriculate. Therefore, it is not feasible to grant Grade Pay of Rs. 1900 to matriculate Group 'D' officials.
Demand No.18: Fresh options for SOGE passed A&E officials absorbed in Civil Audit offices.
It was stated that any such request could be examined after the implementation of the scheme.
Demand No.19: Transfer of SOGE (Civil Audit) passed candidates of A&E offices in Civil Audit Offices, wherein vacancies in SO/AAO cadre are limited.
It is stated that the matter would be examined in consultation with the concerned PAsG/AsG.
Demand No.20: Regularisation of daily wage employees.
Pr. Director (S): Pr. Director (Staff) stated that issue of casual labour is under examination.
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