Chennai: The Central Administrative Tribunal, Chennai, has passed an interim order restraining the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) from downgrading a senior Customs officer in her annual confidential report after a gap of 12 years.
Judicial Member, CAT, Justice G. Rajasuria said in view of the long delay in processing the Annual Confidential Report, the downgrading of the applicant should not be acted upon till the next date of hearing.
The petitioner, B.Yamuna Devi, (41), Additional Director in the Directorate-General of Systems, South Zone, Chennai, submitted she was recruited as officer (Trainee) in CBEC in 2000 and appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Customs in 2002.
Later, she was promoted as Deputy Commissioner in 2005, Joint Commissioner in 2010 and Additional Commissioner in 2013. She was rendering unblemished and meritorious service, earning wide appreciation and commendation from her superiors.
However, the Directorate General of Human Resources Development, New Delhi, in a letter dated March 11, 2016 had conveyed to her that she was given grade in her annual confidential report for the period April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 and graded her below the benchmark grading of ‘Good’. She contended the authorities had erroneously downgraded her from ‘Very Good’ for her service in the post of Assistant Commissioner of Customs.
Petitioner’s counsel M. Ravi said the official was promoted on ad hoc basis from one post to another since 2002. Now she is working as Additional Commissioner of Customs.
All these promotions were on ad hoc basis in view of court cases concerning her seniority issue. While so, the authority communicated to her below the benchmark grade. After 12 years, the downgrading was communicated to her to deprive her promotion prospects.
Counsel said the adverse grading should have no bearing on her promotion as Deputy Commissioner to which she was entitled to in 2004/2005 on regularization of her adhoc promotion and her further promotion as Joint Commissioner.
