ETOS on mass leave

PROTESTING AGAINST STATE GOVT’S DECISION TO APPOINT JUNIOR STATE CIVIL SERVICE OFFICERS AS HEADS OF SOME DISTRICTS

MOHALI: Excise and taxation officers (ETOS) in the state have proceeded on a three-day protest leave (till July 18) against the Punjab government’s decision to appoint junior state civil service officers as heads of some districts.

The ETOS gathered in Mohali and submitted a memorandum to the excise commissioner, apprising him of their decision to go on mass casual leave.

ETO association president Bhupinder Bhatia said the department has a quota of 4-5 seats for PCS officers who are mostly posted at the headquarters. This time, the government posted junior PCS officers as assistant excise and taxation commissioner – head of Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana – important districts in terms of revenue.

“Senior ETOS have to work under junior PCS officers,” he said, adding, “These districts need some senior officers as excise commissioners.”

Association general secretary Harjot Bedi said there are 250 ETOS across Punjab. “We have presented a demand charter which includes pay revision of taxation officers, re-designation and restructuring of the department with parity to the central government and other states,” he added.

“PCS officers may only be posted in administrative posts at headquarters as they are generalists,” said Bhatia.