Monday, August 27, 2018

A.I.C.A.E.A. LETTER DATED 25.08.2018 TO C.G.A. ON RESTRUCTURING AAO (CIVIL) EXAMINATION


All India Civil Accounts Employees Association
(RECOGNIZED BY GOVT. OF INDIA)
Central Headquarters
Phone No. 011-23345070, Mob. No. 9868520926 e-mail:- aicaeachq@gmail.com
Central Office: -                                                                                            Address for Communication:-
Room No. 351, ‘B’ Wing,                                                                                       17/2 – C, P & T Quarters,
Loknayak Bhawan,                                                                                                                      Kali Bari Marg,
Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003                                                                                      New Delhi-110001

No:- AICAEA/HQ/A-2/2018/387                                                                                      Dated: 25.08.2018

To,
            Shri Anthony Lianzuala,
            Controller General of Accounts,
            Ministry of Finance,
            Department of Expenditure,
            4th Floor, GPOA, Block-E, INA,
            New Delhi – 110023

Subject: - Restructuring of AAO (Civil) Examination – outcome of the meeting held on 21st August, 2018 regarding.

Sir,

I have been directed to inform you that, this Association has reviewed the outcome of the discussions held in the meeting between the official side of the Office of Controller General of Accounts and the representatives of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association at 3.30 PM of 21st August, 2018 on the issue of restructuring of AAO (Civil) examination. The Association and its members were disappointed to find that though a few suggestions of the Association had been considered by the authorities but the approaches adopted on some vital issues are totally going against the interests of the candidates without any fault of theirs and against the law of natural justice too.
It has therefore, been decided to request you to kindly consider following suggestions of this Association in addition to the suggestions given by it in the meeting of 21st August 2018 in support of its written submission on 29th June 2018 and bring suitable modifications in the following provisions of the proposals formulated by your office for restructuring the AAO (Civil) Examination-
1.  CONTINUATION OF 8 PAPERS INSTEAD OF 4 PAPERS:-
As per the proposed new pattern of the examination, there would be only 4 papers comprising the whole old syllabus with many new topics. While examining the new syllabus it has been noted that Paper 3 has subsumed all the papers relating to accounting procedures viz. (Paper 3, 6 & 8) with many new topics relating to electronic portals. It has more than 20 books to be referred and shall make the candidate over burdened.  In this respect the Association would like to state that –
(i)          Current procedure is more logical considering the vastness of the syllabus and due to further additions recently, number of papers need to be continued as 8(eight) instead of 4( four).
(ii)        Old syllabus may be updated with the proposed modifications e.g. Supply Accounts Section of existing Paper 7 may be replaced by Information Technology (e-Office, e-Payment, GeM, NTRP, PFMS, e-Lekha, WRPS, APMS, BHAVISHYA, CPGRAMS etc.)/Banking Arrangement.
(iii)The new topics may be added in the relevant papers.
(iv)            In 8 papers, there is no need of merging the syllabus, so that the candidates can easily go through the whole syllabus and there would be healthy question bank to test the wisdom of the candidates.
(v)              The concept of 8 Paper system has been kept unchanged in C&AG’s Organization even after switching over to Online Examination system.

2.  CONTINUATION OF EXEMPTIONS:
 Para (ix) of the Annexure to the OM No. 34012/online/MF.CGA(E)/522 dated 15th May 2018  of the office of CGA limits the exemption earned by the candidate to the immediate next attempt and Para (x) of the Annexure to the said OM entails the forfeiture of the exemptions earned by the candidates’ upto AAO (Civil) Examinations-2017.
These provisions are totally unacceptable as these are not only against the interests of the candidates but also against the principles of natural justice.
The AAO (Civil) Examination upto 2017 were conducted by the Controller General of Accounts under a prescribed system and a syllabus adopted formally in 2006, and the exemptions were earned by the candidates by rendering their hard labour and by exhibiting their complete loyalty to the examination and retaining themselves within the ambit of the system that was brought to operation in 2006. Therefore, imposing a penalty on them arbitrarily by withdrawing the exemptions earned by them is a complete injustice.
In para (xi) of the Annexure to the OM No. 34012/online/MF.CGA (E)/522 dated 15th May 2018 of your office it has been stated that, a candidate will get 6 chances to pass the Examination, but the facility of exemption has been limited to immediate next attempt. It is not only confusing but a subjective proposition which goes against the interest of the candidates. We would therefore, request you to kindly continue the system of exemptions in the following manner-
(a)  Whether old or new pattern, provide 6 consecutive/ continued chances to clear the 8 papers to all.
(b)  In addition to a chance through the special examination to the candidates appeared the examination upto 2017 and cleared 1 to 7 papers, they may be allowed  to migrate to new pattern along with exemptions already earned by them  subject to overall 6 attempts.
(c)   Validity of the exemptions earned by the candidates in the new pattern may be allowed till stipulated 6 chances are exhausted.

3.  RATIONALIZATION OF CANDIDATURE  POLICY: ALLOWING CANDIDATURE OF GRADUATE AND ABOVE M.T.S BEING GROUP-C EMPLOYEES :-
As per the para 4 (four) ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS of “REGULATION FOR THE JUNIOR ACCOUNTS OFFICER (CIVIL) EXAMINATION FOR APPOINTMENT AS JUNIOR ACCOUNTS OFFICERS IN DEPARTMENTALIZED ACCOUNTS ORGANIZATION EFFECTIVE FROM 2006” all categories of Group C Employees who render a minimum service of three years in their grades on 1st October of the year of Examination will be eligible for taking part in the examination.
On the other hand, on the basis of the recommendations of 6th CPC, Government of India has abolished the Group D cadre and merged the cadre with the Group C cadres. As such the MTS are Group C employees and this classification has been reiterated by the Government of India for more than one occasion. Now-a-days all MTS are being recruited though the open Examination conducted by SSC and all Central Government Departments including Civil Accounts Organization are extending all facilities to MTS which are applicable to Group C employees.
In the Civil Accounts Organization the promotional prospects for MTS are very bleak. They do not get promotion as LDC even after completion of 30 years of service. The Departmental Examination for promotion for them as LDC takes place normally once in five years. So they do not have the opportunity of getting speedier promotions despite having requisite qualifications. Whereas, through the present recruitment process, several graduates and post graduates are being recruited as MTS due to severe crunch in the job market.
Under the above background, it is essential that our thought process and perception about the MTS are changed.  We request that the MTS who are graduates and above may also be allowed to appear the AAO (Civil) Examination like other Group C Employees among whom some were not even recruited with the service condition of being graduates.
The decision on your part to allow the MTS who are graduates and above to appear the AAO (Civil) Examination will result reciprocal advantages to both employees and the authorities. On one side the lowest paid but qualified employees shall find a corridor for career advancement and on the other side the authorities will be getting better service from a deserving employee.
We shall be thankful, if the suggestions given above are considered by you sympathetically and favorable decisions are taken.
Apart from the points concerning with Restructuring of AAO (Civil) Examinations the issues connected with (1) conducting regular Departmental Examination for promotion of MTS and LDCs to next higher grades (2) Conducting Departmental Confirmatory Test for Accountants  in every four months instead of six months to resolve the issue of deferment of increments were also discussed in the meeting. These were discussed by us on the basis of the direction given by the Chairperson in the meeting held between the Official side of CGA office and the National Executive of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association on 16th August 2018. We shall however, make our submissions separately on these two issues for you perusal and consideration.
            We would also like to bring it to your kind information that, despite the issue of Restructuring of AAO (Civil) examination being an exclusive issue of  All India Civil Accounts Employees Association as the members of this Association only  are appearing the AAO(Civil) Examination, your office, on the pretext of having wider consultations, ignored the provisions envisaged in the CCS(Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1993  and had invited a selected section of those Associations for discussion which have no connection with the AAO(Civil) Examination. Among those invited Associations, the All India Associations of PAOs (Civil) being one of the most matured and reasonable Associations did not attend the meeting fixed by your office and conveyed that, the issue being a subject matter of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association, All India Association of PAOs (Civil) stands by the opinion of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association. But some other Association from among the invitee Associations which was allowed to encroach into the area of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association ignoring provisions of CCS (Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1993 had published some confusing and distorted informations in the social media immediately after a few minutes of conclusion of the meeting with the officers of your office on 21st August 2018 to mislead the employees. The incident being very regrettable and unwarranted, we request you to kindly direct your office to take the contention of this para of the letter in right perspective and take necessary action in future keeping our submission into consideration.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,



(V. Bhattacharjee)
Secretary General

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

C.O.C. OF CIVIL ACCOUNTS EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS ASSOCIATIONS CIRCULAR NO. 9 OF 22ND AUGUST 2018


CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE (COC)
OF
CIVIL ACCOUNTS EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS ASSOCIATIONS
Represented By
National Federation of Civil Accounts Associations (NFCAA)
[All India Civil Accounts Employees Association]
[All India Civil Accounts Employees Association Category II]
And
[All India Association of Pay and Accounts Officers (Civil)]
Central Office: -                                                                                                                              Address for Communication:
Room No. 351, ‘B’ Wing,                                                                                      17/2 – C, P & T Quarters,
Loknayak Bhawan,                                                                                                               Kali Bari Marg,
Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003                                                                                   New Delhi-110001

No.COC/CA/2018/Circular-9                                                                           Dated: 22.08.2018

To
            The Federal Executive members/ National Executive
            /Branch Secretaries of NFCAA and AIAPAO(C)
            and conveners of COCs

Dear Comrades/Friends,
OUTCOME OF THE MEETINGS ON CADRE REVIEW HELD ON 17TH AUGUST 2018

You are aware, Controller General of Accounts vide OM No:- 32014/1/2014/MF.CGA/Gr.B/Cadre Review/366 dated 7th August, 2018 had invited different Associations formally and informally to hold meeting on 17th August 2018 regarding cadre review.
DISCUSSION WITH AICAEA & AICAEA CAT II
Responding to the invitation of the meeting a five+five member delegation of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association and All India Civil Accounts Employees Association Category-II respectively  attended the meeting with the official side at 11 AM  on 17th  August 18 which has lasted for about an hour. Thereafter the five member delegation of All India Association Pay and Accounts Officer (Civil) attended the meeting.
In the meeting between the delegation of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association and All India Civil Accounts Employees Association Category-II and the official side of Controller General of Accounts Office, official side explained the method under which the official side had drawn up the conclusion of reducing the strength of 814 sanctioned posts of Group C. Responding to this, the staff side explained its position and stated logic for the necessity of expansion of the Group C cadre instead of reducing it. In forty years there was 62.5% growth of Group A cadre. There was growth in Group B cadre too. But there was no increase in the sanctioned strength of Group C cadres. Moreover, when less than 300 PAO/ZAOs in 1976 (38 Principal Accounts Offices, 265 PAOs and 46 IA wings in 1991) have risen steadily to 827 in 2018, there cannot be any valid ground that the Group C posts should be reduced. Moreover the FPUs of CBDT should be converted as full-fledged ZAOS.  The official side appreciated the concern of staff side and agreed to revisit the entire proposal computed within a short spell of 2/3 weeks and also to do re-consultations with the PCCA/ CCA/ CA who are the heads of the departments.  Further, the official side assured to have another round of discussion with the staff’s side for finalizing the issue of manpower computation and working out the issues of pay scales and career advancements for different cadres from the level of Sr. Acctt. to MTS.
DISCUSSION WITH AIAPAO (Civil)
In the meeting held between the official side and the representatives of AIAPAO (Civil) which commenced immediately after the above meeting, the staff side pointed out the consequence of reduction of posts of Group C cadres and also stated that, reduction in the strength in lower category of employees would create serious complication in the organization while the work load and number of PAO/RPAO/ZAO have been increased manifold. Further, it would not be possible to function the offices smoothly without having requisite staff of different categories. The meeting also discussed about the pay levels and percentages of posts to be granted to AO/Sr. AOs as a result of cadre review with minor changes with reference to proposals of other accounting organisations like Indian Audit and Accounts Department and the official side agreed with proposal of the staff side in Principle. It is also agreed to finalize the proposal within a month’s time. The de linking also discussed. As an interim measure the demand of the adhoc promotion   in vacant promotional posts also submitted by association.
After the meetings with the authorities were over, available representatives of the Co-ordination Committee of Civil Accounts Employees & workers Associations had met and reviewed the outcome of the meetings held with the authorities.
The meeting of the Co-ordination Committee had expressed its satisfaction on the positive approach of the Civil Accounts authorities. The meeting also offered it’s thanks to all members for extending their support and co-operation in the struggles for posting the demand towards settlement.
The meeting of the Co-ordination Committee also appealed upon all section of the members to unite and strengthen the Co-ordination Committee by strengthening their respective Associations. The members have also been appealed to brush aside the disruptive activities and the disrupters who are trying to destroy unity by dividing the Associations for their vested interests.

With warm greetings,

                                                                                                              
(A.B.Sunilkumar)                                             (Amol V Sule)                                                  (V.Bhattacharjee)                            Joint Convener, COC and                           Secretary  General                                  Joint Convener, COC and                              Secretary General                                   All India Civil Accounts                        Secretary General All India Association of Pay                                   Employees Association                                All India Civil Accounts
and Accounts  Officers  (Civil)                   Category II                                                  Employees Association

A.I.C.A.E.A  CIRCULAR DATED 21ST AUGUST 2018 : BRIEF RESUME OF THE MEETING HELD BETWEEN THE OFFICIAL SIDE OF CGA AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL INDIA CIVIL ACCOUNTS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION ON 21ST AUGUST 2018 FOR DISCUSSION ON RESTRUCTURING OF AAO (CIVIL) EXAMINATION


All India Civil Accounts Employees Association
(RECOGNIZED BY GOVT. OF INDIA)
Central Headquarters
Phone No. 011-23345070, Mob. No. 9868520926 e-mail:- aicaeachq@gmail.com
Central Office: -                                                                                           Address for Communication:-
Room No. 351, ‘B’ Wing,                                                                                       17/2 – C, P & T Quarters,
Loknayak Bhawan,                                                                                                                       Kali Bari Marg,
Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003                                                                                       New Delhi-110001


No:- AICAEA/HQ/A-1/2018/Cir-2                                                                                     Dated: 21.08.2018
To
All National Executive Members,
All Branch Secretaries,
All Unit Secretaries,

Dear Comrades,

BRIEF RESUME OF THE MEETING HELD BETWEEN THE OFFICIAL SIDE OF CGA AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL INDIA CIVIL ACCOUNTS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION ON 21ST AUGUST 2018 FOR DISCUSSION ON RESTRUCTURING OF AAO (CIVIL) EXAMINATION
As per the Meeting Notice No:- A.34012/Online/MF.CGA (E)/600 dated 14th August, 2018 a five member delegation of All India Civil Accounts Employees Association comprising Shri Ajit Huparikar, President (Hyderabad), Shri B. Sitaram, Working President (Chennai), Shri V. Bhattacharjee, Secretary General (New Delhi), Shri Ajay K. Patole, Addl. Secretary General (Mumbai) and Shri Pranab Acharjee, Joint Secretary General (Kolkata) attended the meeting convened by the official side of Controller General of Accounts to discuss the restructuring of AAO (Civil) Examination at 3.30 PM of 21st August, 2018.

Official side was represented by Shri Rokhum Lalremruate, Joint Controller General of Accounts (E) as Chairman, Dr. Richa Pandey, ACGA (E) and R.R. Nair, Sr. AO (E).

The discussion in the meeting took place on the basis of the written suggestions forwarded by the Associations before 30th June 2018. The Brief Resume of the meeting is as under:-
1.      All India Civil Accounts Employees Association demanded that in consideration of experiences of different examinations conducted recently by different authorities, outsourcing of examination may not be done and if it is not avoidable, it may be conducted by CGA with the help of NIC.
The official side informed that, in appreciation of the concern of the staff side, modalities of new pattern of Examination have been decided. It shall be held online and the whole process of Examination shall be held under the supervision of Controller General of Accounts authorities. However, technical support shall be taken from outsourced agency as no government agency is in a position to provide technical support. In order to ensure the smooth processing of the examinations, the stations with poor internet facility shall be avoided but at the same time candidates shall not be placed to the inconvenience of travelling long distances.
2.      All India Civil Accounts Employees Association demanded to make the papers with 35 percent objective and 65 percent descriptive to ensure that the supervisory skills of future AAOs continue to be effective.
Official side informed that, while taking the decision of making the new pattern of Examination completely objective and multiple choice types, adequate care has been taken keeping view the suggestions of All India Civil Accounts employees Association. Each paper will have 100 objectives multiple choice type questions to be answered. 65% will be basic level, 25% will be of advance level & 10% will be difficult. However 50 marks shall be enough for passing the examination. Moreover, in order to elevate the skills of the future AAOs appropriate training facilities to the qualified candidates shall be ensured.
3.      On the basis of practical justifications the All India Civil Accounts Employees Association has demanded for continuation of 8 papers.
The official side informed that, they have agreed to consider the suggestion of maintaining 8 papers.
4.       All India Civil Accounts Employees Association has demanded for suitable modifications in the syllabus for the new examination pattern.
Official side has informed that, it has been agreed to modify the Syllabus keeping in view the modifications suggested by All India Civil Accounts Employees Association in its written proposal.
5.      All India Civil Accounts Employees Association has demanded to make duration of examination for three hours instead of two hours considering the vastness of syllabus in comparison to other departmental examinations.
Official side informed that, two hours is the standard timings. However, matter shall be re-examined and subject to approval of higher authority.
6.      Responding to the suggestion given by All India Civil Accounts Employees Association, Official side informed that, there shall not be any negative marking. However, provision of books or any other aid has been decided to discontinue.
7.      Official side informed that, as accepted in the earlier meeting with All India Civil Accounts Employees Association, minimum marks for passing in each paper will continue to be 50 for general category and 45 for SC/ST like previous examination system. Further, as proposed by All India Civil Accounts Employees Association to allow the MTS who are Graduates and above to appear the examination after a specified year of service shall be considered sympathetically.
8.      All India Civil Accounts Employees Association had demanded for giving stipulated 6 chances to both old and new pattern and insisted for the same in the meeting as the candidates shall suffer extremely.
Official side has reported that, as per the direction of Department of Expenditure, one more special Examination for the candidates cleared 1 to 7 papers in old system shall be conducted by the end of November, 2018 and side by side preparations for new pattern of Examination shall be done so that examinations under new system could be done at the earliest possible.
9.      As per its demand, the All India Civil Accounts Employees Association had insisted to carry forward the exemptions acquired by the candidates in old pattern to new pattern so that the hard labour rendered by the candidates in the old system does not get wasted and they may not be victim of an unjustified decision.
With much difficulty Official side agree to revisit the decision.
10.  All India Civil Accounts Employees Association had suggested that there should be six consecutive chances for appearing the examination, and exemption, if any, should continue till all chances are exhausted.
Official side has agreed to look into the first part of the suggestion in new pattern of Examination and but did not offer any assurance of considering the second part.
11.  All India Civil Accounts Employees Association demanded proper training and coaching facilities for the prospective candidates.
Official side assured that, in addition to  proper training and coaching facilities mock test facilities shall also be made before bringing the new pattern of Examination in to operation,
12.  All India Civil Accounts Employees Association had demanded that there should not be any test after imparting training to officials qualified the AAO (Civil) Examination.
Official side agreed to consider this demand.
Apart from the issues concerning with AAO (Civil) Examination, the staff side also requested to consider the following issues in pursuance of the direction given in the meeting with the official side on 16th August 2018,  :-
1.      Conducting regular Examinations for promotion to LDC from MTS and to Accountant from LDC: it was brought to the notice of the official side that, as there was no examination for promotion from MTS to LDC and LDC to Accountant for years together, the employees of these cadres are suffering very badly.
 Official side informed that another set of examination shall be conducted.
2.      Removal of injustice to newly recruited Accountant in the matter of granting 1st increment through rectification of the procedure of Departmental Confirmatory test: As the increment of newly recruited Accountants are getting postponed for conducting the departmental confirmatory tests once in six months, the All India Civil Accounts Employees Association proposed to  reduce eligibility period to four months for appearing DCT and conduct the departmental confirmatory tests once in four months to resolve the problem.
Official side agreed to look into the proposal

THE REPORTING’S MADE ABOVE MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MINUTES OF THE MEETING.  IT IS ONLY THE RESUME OF THE MEETING WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM MINUTES. OFFICE OF CGA SHALL ISSUE THE MINUTES WHICH SHALL CARRY ACTUAL SPIRIT OF DISCUSSION HELD.


All India Association of PAOs (Civil) being another recognized Association was also invited for giving opinion. But the Association being very rational in its approach, it preferred not to encroach into our arena and conveyed to CGA authorities that it stands by our opinion. We offer our sincere thanks to them.
The AICAEA CATEGORY II which is representing the AAOs had also made their suggestions like AIAPAO (Civil) but abstained from discussion as the matter is not connected with its members.
  
THE OUTCOME OF THE MEETING BEING NOT AT ALL UPTO THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND ITS MEMBERS, A DECISION IN THIS RESPECT SHALL BE TAKEN AND TOTALITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CIVIL ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATIONS (NFCAA) SHALL FIGHT UNITEDLY.
However, if any suggestion or demand is considered necessary to place before the authorities, it may be forwarded to headquarters of the Association through email; aicaeachq@gamil.com
V.Bhattacharjee
Secretary General