Series Article No-3..Do's & Don'ts for IRS[C&CE] officers of Customs formation

Hello all the IRS[C&CE] officers of 61st Batch, as per our series of compilations on Do’s & Don’t for your first posting, I am posting Do’s & Don’t for Custom officers received from the officer of 60th Batch without any edit.
"hi , some points which i think might be useful to newcomers...
[1]In customs everyone is in a hurry ,so consult your colleagues may be persons who joined last year about the issue.

[2] After receiving the charges open the act , go to CBEC website and read notifications , circulars and instructions about your charges right from year 2000 this will give you a sense of perspective and also increase your working knowledge.

[3]There will be many alerts , procedures given in the form of instructions and circulars this will make you more confident

[4] Your own commisionerate might have given some public notices and standing orders pl refer to them for local procedures

[5] Ask your section to put up all these as back ground before you sign.

[6] Assessment practice vary in many places sit with your appraisers and discuss before starting .

[7] Never hesitate to ask your colleagues or seniors they will not take it in negative light .

[8] Keep visiting NIDB and DOV website regarding valuation issues.

[9] Read as much as possible at early stage rather than making it post mortem effort.

[10] Ask for ICES 1.5 MANUAL and go through it to understand system issues.
 
Neutralviews sincerely thanks the officers of 60th Batch who are taking pain to write and send their valuable inputs to help the officers of 61st Batch...keep on blogging.

KUDOS TO ALL CSE-2010 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES

Hello all, Neutralviews congratulates all the successful candidates of CSE-2010 which is topped by
S DIVYADHARSHINI...I wish you all the best...Enjoy these golden moments of your life....keep on blogging...

Series Article No-1...For all those officers of IRS[C&CE] about to join their first posting!!!

Hello officers of IRS[C&CE] 61st Batch...Congratulations to all of you on the completion of your training at NACEN and several other field formations of the department. You all must be excited on getting your postings at the preferred locations [hopefully most of you] and eagerly waiting for the joining. There have been numerous queries from some of you about what are the "Do's and Dont's " for this great occasion. Neutralviews is bringing a series of good compilations about Do's and Dont's received from number of senior IRS[C&CE] officers beginning from "Do's & Dont's for joining as Central excise officers" followed by similar compilations for Customs,Customs[Preventive],Service Tax, etc. Some of the instructions may be common for all types of field formations. Let us start this series with
"DO'S & DONT'S for Central Excise"
On the very first day of your joining to the department, you must remember following things:
[1] Go to the office in Uniform prescribed.
[2] Call on all the officers posted starting with Chief Commissioner. For this, inform PA [Chief Commissioner] about your arrival and intention to join. Don't forget to carry a pen and posting letter issued at NACEN. You need to write a joining letter addressing to Chief Commissioner [CC] mentioning the order no of your posting order letter.
[3] Give proper salute to all the senior officers except Asstt Commissioners posted there during call on.
[4] Remove your cap while you sit on chair in front of your seniors.
[5] Don't forget to call on less visible Commissioner [Appeal].
[6] When CC asks a specific choice for postings, prefer not to give any unless you have any compelling reason.
[7] Once your final place is decided, don't forget to apply for house/accommodation.
[8] During charge handover, Please ask your predecessor about any major/significant issue pending. Give your predecessor a humble and graceful farewell.
[9] on the first day in your Division [if you get it], your subordinates will call on you. Listen them carefully and give respect to age and experience. Don't hesitate in asking any doubt or current inadequacies faced by the division/ranges.
[10] Handling DAK PAD may be a difficult task for you. But don't worry, ask your Administrative officer [AO] to bring a copy of office order about work distribution in division technical branch. Go through carefully and then mark the DAK by reading Subject line and inside matter. Generally, Refund/Rebate related letters mark to Superintendent [Supt] Refund/Rebate and other letters to Supt[Technical]. Administration related letters are marked to AO.
[11] After this task, ask for 'Division at a Glance', ' Range at a Glance' and previous Inspection report of the Division as well as Ranges. Through this, you can get a glimpse of your division profile, deficiencies found during last inspection by senior officers of your Division and Ranges.
[12] Ask for 'Monthly technical report' [MTR] which will give you total summary of your division, all the pendency in different sections.
[13] Ask for Arrears Report which will provide details of all the arrears cases pending.
[14] Ask for office order issued by Commissioner about delegation of financial power to Asst Commissioner and follow it strictly.
[15] Don't hesitate to clear any doubt.
[16] There is no need to hurry, take your time, open the Manual in case of any doubt. Make a rule, 'Show me the Rule before I will sign the file".
[17] Visit your Ranges to have a glimpse of the conditions prevailing there.
[18] Try to improve your office area and infrastructure in your division/Ranges.
[19] Ask your AO to tell the financial resources available in the Division. Purchase new things if not available in your office by following due process.
[20] Don't show overenthu, every office has designated work to perform. Never try to encroach the domain of other office. Concentrate on your domain and try to excel there. If you try to encroach, it will lead to friction.
[21] Never overreact. Don't start things which you think that you can not sustain for a long time. Never create any unwanted seen for your seniors because they can make your life hell or heaven.
[22] Try to have lunch with your colleagues posted near you even if they are promoted officers. This will encourage sharing of information among all the officers.
[23] Whenever any senior calls you, always go with a pen and notebook to note down any significant instruction.
[24] always keep ready a pen and notebook near to your phone to make a note of any instructions given by seniors.
[25] Make a habit to note down important deadlines,reminders, reports need to be submitted and follow up otherwise your subordinates have the tendency to miss the deadlines. You need to remind them frequently.
                              I hope these suggestions will help you on your first day of your posting as it is a very significant milestone in your life. Some of you may not agree on many points described above. It depends on you. You can follow them or avoid them but You should be open enough to learn. Work hard during initial days. Start enjoying your work and continuously improve office environment.
                             Last but not the least,Don't forget to bring digital camera and take snap of charge handover ceremony and farewell ceremony of your predecessor.
                             Good luck and send your feed back on neutralviews@gmail.com . Keep on blogging.  

INDIA Won ICC World Cup...Kudos to all the players...Is this much Euphoria justified???

Hello all, All of you must have watched India-Sri Lanka Final cricket match for ICC Cricket World Cup held at Wankhede, Mumbai yesterday as I did. It was a very interesting match with lots of ups and downs and breath stopping moments. I enjoyed it thoroughly as every one of you did. Kudos to Mr Dhoni and every other player of the team including Mr Sachin Tendulkar.
After the match was over, I was watching some news channels where every body was discussing cricket [obviously] and beaming clips of euphoria across the country. Today morning when I switch on the TV, every Chanel was beaming the same story with breaking news in between about the announcement of rewards by various state Governments to their players. Uttarakhand Govt will give houses to Mr Dhoni and Tendelkur in Mussori, Rajasthan offered free ride on place on wheels, Karnataka offered free plots to all the players, UP govt announces Kashiram international award to players, Gujrata also announced rewards including Hariyana and Delhi government. It was in addition to the reward offered by BCCI.
Though players deserves applause and rewards for the brilliant show but is this much Euphoria justified or it is a over reaction. what about other games?? what about our National Game Hockey??? IS there any body to care???
Indian corporates have already infused huge amount of money in to Cricket which is taking care of every requirement of Indian Cricket team therefore I don't think that there is any need to give government patronage. Notional rewards are enough to the Cricket players. There is a need to patronise other Games. Even BCCI can give some of its profit to other game management. Every Indian can't afford to play Cricket and it is also not possible. Corporates must promote other games so that talent can be attracted to other games also. Therefore I am of the opinion that on the winning of Cricket World Cup, Euphoria is ok but over reaction to this victory is not at all justified. It is mere a Game and not everything....Keep on blogging..

Regarding delay in joining...Reply to Mr Kushagra Mittal

Mr Kushagra Mittal:- I have been allotted IRTS provisionally in CSE 2009. I did my foundation and have been waiting for my joining since 10th of december 2010. Its end of march'11 already. I have been asking DoPT regarding this and they say it will take more time. Railways have not allowed us any joining as their policy doesnt allow joining of "non-final" candidates. My question to you is: 1. Does this delay happen every year, or we ( there are 4 others like me) are the chosen ones. 2. As and when we finally join, shall we get the salaries for the foregone period as we joined government service with joining the FC. And shall we face any disadvantages?
Regards
Kushagra Mittal
Manmauji: Hello Mr Kushagra Mittal, thanks for your visit on the blog. Congrats for your entry in to prestigious service. Regarding your query, It is very strange that still you are awaiting your final service allocation. It generally doesn't happen. You can immediately contact to some higher officials of DoPT. Regarding the salary, I am not sure about it but hopefully, you will get it as it is not your flaw however your leave [extra ordinary leave] may be cut for this period. Regarding disadvantages, you won't face anything like that. All privileges will be there for you....hope I have answered your queries...further query is welcome...keep on blogging...

Good Luck to all those appearing for IAS Interview-2011

Hello All, I wish a good luck to all those who are going to appear from today for CSE-2010 final Interview.....It is a very crucial moment in CSE preparation. One should maintain his/her cool and calmness.....Prepare thoroughly....Speak honestly..God will definitely help....Keep on Blogging...

Regarding India Year Book...Reply to Miss/Mr Anonymous

Miss/Mr Anonymous: When is the India year book out??which month?march?where do I get it from?
Manmauji: Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog...Regarding your query, India Year Book generally comes in January...It may have been released by now...You can get it from any book shop....further query is welcome...keep blogging...

Regarding year book...Reply to Miss/Mr Anonymous

Miss/Mr Anonymous: best year book for study sir..plz reply

Manmauji: Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog...Regarding your query, India Year Book published by Government of India is the best year Book to read for CSE examination..You can buy Manorama year book as well for General Knowledge section only....further query is welcome...keep on blogging...

Regarding CSE result....Reply to Miss/Mr Anonymous

Anonymous: Where can cse results be checked? I want to check if a friend of mine has gotten through but I don't have his serial no/application no. Have they published a comprehensive pdf with the names of all candidates?
Manmauji: Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog...Regarding your query, UPSC publish result of CSE-2010 on its website http://upsc.gov.in/ .....you can click on Result section of the website....Mains result is not published name wise...You can know the status of your friend only by his/her roll number...further query is welcome....keep on blogging..

IAS Interview guidance programme by Jeevothan Foundation

Hello all successful CSE-2010[Mains] candidates, congrats on your grand success in CSE-2010 exam....I have a good news to all of you....According to a press release of 'Jeevothan Foundation' NGO is commencing IAS Interview guidance programme-2011. It will be very comprehensive, focused and economical to all the sections of the aspirants. As per the source, Jeevothan Foundation will bring ex-governors/serving & ex-bureaucrats/professionals/academicians, etc under one roof to provide the best of the interview experience. It claims that they will provide 'Near to the real' Interview environment. The detailed interview programme by Jeevothan Foundation can be achieved from organisation's website http://jeevothaan.yolasite.com.
The contact details are : Sri Anand 'SANKALP' 09868221328
09717838798........keep on blogging...

CSE-2010 result is out...Congratulations to all successful candidates!!!

Hello all, UPSC finally came out with CSE-2010[Mains] result today evening....Neutralviews congratulates all successful candidates and give them best of luck for their personality test starting from 22nd March,2011....At this crucial juncture I have full sympathy with all those who didn't make in to semi-final as this is not the end...there is a long road to walk....A lot is waiting for all of you. Thus don't loose hope and prepare for the next attempt....keep on blogging..

Regarding CSE-2010 Result

Hello everybody, I hope you all must be in the pink of your health and anxiously waiting for CSE-2010 result. From insider sources, CSE-2010 result is expected to be on 7th March,2011. I wish all those aspirants a very good luck...keep on blogging...

Regarding study leave...Reply to Miss/Mr Anonymous:

Miss/Mr Anonymous: happy new year mr. manmauji. i have one query too.after getting into services, i want to do my m.s. in economics from a foreign university.iwant to know 1)after how many yrs. of service i will be able to get leave for my study plan? 2)does govt. bear the expenditure?if yes,to what extent AND is this privilege (i.e. expenditure bearing by government) available to all services within civil services OR only to ias???
Manmauji: Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog and new year wishes..I wish you the same...Regarding your query, of course, you can go for study leave on government expenditure after completing 5 yrs of service. It is available to all the service and not only to IAS...The amount of money paid by government depends on the scheme under which you will go for study leave abroad..For details you can check DoPT website www.persmin.nic.in as Ministry of Personnel of Govt of India sanctions all such leave and funding....further query is welcome..keep on blogging...

Regarding GS...Reply to Miss Harshita

Miss Harshita : Sir, I am reading ancient and medieval history with the intention of preparing for prelims and main. Reading from TMH General Studies Manual(the big fat book which has every subject of GS in it). 1. Is that book good and recommended?2. What all do I need to study for ancient and medieval history? There is so much detail about everything...art, culture, literature, economics, administration, trade...!!
Manmauji: Hello Miss Harshita, thanks for your visit on the blog... though TMH is a good collection of facts but it is too bulky...For history, you can rely on NCERT books only....further query is welcome..keep on blogging..

Wish you all a very happy new year-2011

Hello everybody, I wish you all a very happy new year-2011. May God give you all happiness and dreamed success in this year. Besides, I am sorry for not updating this blog since long due to some reasons. Meanwhile, I got a Chance to visit Singapore and Bintan Is [Indonesia]...It was a wonderful experience. Sometime later, I will share my experiences....keep blogging..

How to Grasp the subject...Reply to Miss/Mr Anonymous

Miss/Mr Anonymous: Sir,I am studying for CSE for a..year now.I have BIG problem with GS. You know how it happen. You just don't know how to study ,what to study. Initially..I had problem with polity. I just couldn't grasp the subject. After much search and seeking somebody recommend me to buy Laxmikanth. My problem was solved. Now you know laxmicant is just word to word copy of DDBasu. But I couldn't study for months even when i had basu in hands. Now my BIG problem is economics. PLZ HELP

Manmauji: Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog...Regarding your query, I can understand your problem. The solution of your problem lies in your mind. The first thing you do is start meditation for 30 Mts everyday. You need to be cool and calm in your mind. Don't burden yourself with the thought of preparing for CSE..If you are cool and calm in your mind, you can learn very fast and much more. If you are not able to grasp any thing, you should start reading that stuff very slowly. Devote 5 mts to each paragraph strictly with a watch in front of your eyes. These small techniques can solve your problem. For economics, you should start from NCERT. Clear your basics then purchase UMA Kapila book or any standard Economics book. Later on for updates you can purchase Pratiyogita Darpan Special Economics Bumper issue...Hope your doubts are clear by now..further query is welcome..keep blogging...

An audacious comment by Mr Prasanth

Hello all, I am publishing "as it is" one comment received on the blog written by Mr Prasanth. The views expressed by him are his own and Neutralviews is providing only the platform for wider circulation and mulling over.
"Kudos to Ms. Manju Madhavan, an IRS officer of 1971 batch, for foreseeing the biggest scam in modern India. She resigned as Member (Finance), DoT apparently upset over the decisions of the Minister and his IAS chelas. In doing so she displayed an exemplary character. People in the Government know how honest and upright an officer she is. At the outset let us put a big full stop to one of the biggest beliefs in India that the IRS is the most corrupt among civil services. Being a Department dealing with the Government finances the Income Tax Department had to bear such noises quite often. Many wrong aspersions are cast on the Department. Corruption thrives in the Income Tax Department just as the case with other Government Departments. But any taxpayer or a Chartered Accountant or a Tax Practitioner would agree that the corruption is more prevalent at the lower levels and among the promote IRS officers. The directly recruited IRS officers recruited through Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC are mostly honest and upright. They are masters at various finance related matters and IRS officers are the only civil servants in the country doing the original work in the Department. This greatly contributes to their understanding of the ground realities and one of the reasons for their high success in any field of work. IRS officers have shown their mettle when on deputation to the Central Secretariat and to PSUs. IRS is the only service which can dislodge the IAS from their positions both by their expertise (talent) and powerful service lobby. The IAS are vary of this fact and are trying their best to suppress IRS officers. It is very apparent from the CVC reports that among civil servants IAS officers are the most corrupt. The number of cases against IRS officers is the least among the civil servants. The number of disciplinary actions recommended by the CVC (incidentally headed by an IAS officer) is proof enough that IRS is not as corrupt as is perceived and IAS is as corrupt as the politicians. Everybody is talking about ‘Spectrum Raja’ but what about the IAS officers ‘Spectrum Pradip Baijal’ – former TRAI Chairman and Disinvestment Secretary, ‘Spectrum Vasudev’ – former Economic Affairs Secretary, ‘Spectrum Ajay Dua’ – former Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary, ‘Spectrum Seth’ – former TRAI Member, and ‘Spectrum Chandolia’ – former PS to Raja. Almost all corruption cases in the country are because of IAS officers. This is happening because of the continuation of the British legacy. The ICS (IAS was then called so) was formed as an arm of the British to suppress the Nationalist Movement. Post-independence the IAS is being used by the politicians to achieve their narrow ends. It’s time to set the things right.
The IAS should be given a specific area of work. They should not be a jack of all trades but a master of one. All civil services should be given their due. An IRS officer is best suited to be a Revenue Secretary than an IAS, an IFS officer is best suited to be Secretary, Min. of Environment and Forests than an IAS, an IAAS officer is the best suited to be C&AG than an IAS officer, an IRS or IAAS or ICAS is best suited to be a Finance Secretary than an IAS, an ITS officer is best suited to be DGFT and Commerce Secretary than an IAS, an IIS officer is best suited to be I&B Secretary than an IAS officer, an IPS officer is best suited to be a Home Secretary than an IAS officer, Scientists are best suited to be Agriculture Secretary, Culture Secretary, New and Renewable Energy Secretary, Science and Technology Secretary, Water Resources Secretary and an educated sportsman is best suited to be a Sports Secretary. An IRS or IPS officer should be the CVC rather than an IAS officer. But why then IAS officers are heading all these Departments and holding the country to ransom. Come on its time to change all this. Modern world needs specialization and honest officers. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has been a Finance Secretary without being an IAS officer. He knows how the IAS lobby arm twists the Government. He is the right person to take action and fortunately he is at the helm of affairs and in a position to get it done. One should understand that the politicians don’t have the wherewithal to amass huge amounts of illegal wealth. The logistics are provided by the IAS babus. Long back the Rajamannar Committee has recommended the abolition of IAS. This is nothing to do with the persons but related only to the character of the IAS as a service that breeds corruption, nepotism and self aggrandizement which ultimately leads to the failure of a nation."...keep blogging

Regarding IRS[C&CE] training...Reply to Miss/Mr Anonymous

Miss/Mr Anonymous: halo sir...
i am undergoing training as an irs(c&ce)probationer...cud u plz throw light upon the further division of our batch in mumbai n faridabad?how is the division done?is it done?can it b changed?pls guide...thanks in advance!
Manmauji: Hello Miss/Mr Anonymous, thanks for your visit on the blog and congrats on your entry in to prestigious IRS league...Regarding your query, the division of the batch between Faridabad and Mumbai will be arbitrary....you can visit NACEN website www.nacen.gov.in for further updates on the division of batch...Due to large size, it may be divided in to three e.g. Faridabad, Mumbai and Chennai....further query is welcome...keep blogging..

Regarding optionals...reply to Miss SHRUTI SHARMA

Miss SHRUTI SHARMA : sir,my optionals are philosophy and pali litrature.i have almost completed both optionals.Are these optionals scoring?.........i have heard that taking such optionals may fetch very low marks in interview.
Manmauji: Hello Miss SHRUTI SHARMA, thanks for your visit on the blog and sorry for the delayed reply due to busy schedule...Regarding your query, I know several guys and girls who scored very well in these two optionals and cleared CSE with very good rank as well...So don't worry about it...It is not the optional, it is your knowledge and expertise in the subject which gives you marks...Optionals doesn't play any role in interview..they may ask questions from your optionals but if you know your subject well, you can answer them very nicely...good luck...further query is welcome...keep blogging..

Regarding deputation....Reply to Mr Raghavendra

Mr Raghavendra: Sir,
I came across this blog few days before and really impressed by your guidance for the aspirations.
I'm and IPS aspirant, and my interest is mainly on joining investigating& Intelligence departments like IB and RAW instead of civil police.somewhere i heard that these days there is a direct deputation into organizations like IB,RAW for IPS probationers.Could you give me information on what are the chances of IPS probationers to enter in such depts.
Please give some focus on RAS also.
Thanks,Raghavendra

Manmauji: Hello Mr Raghavendra, thanks for your visit on the blog and kind words about it....Regarding your query, it is good that you have such a dream and desire to serve in intelligence agencies...As far as I know, direct deputation in intelligence is not possible. you need to serve in civil police for some times then you can join them. However, in RAW, it is open recruitment from all the services to serve them directly after your probation is complete but you can not leave RAW once you joined in this system. However, I am not very sure about this fact. further query is welcome...keep blogging..