Presidential Award for CESTAT AR - DDT's Campaign
FOR nearly a decade, DDT has been vigorously campaigning for the Presidential awards to ARs in the CESTAT and it is gratifying to see that it has become a reality now. A frustrated Jt.CDR once told me, "why do you write for us?; I don't want that stupid award - I don't want my image to be tarnished - they care a damn about cases in CESTAT and they are not bothered about ARs in CESTAT."
DDT 2029 - 22.01.2013 commented,
It is surprising that not even a single Authorised Representative in the CESTAT figures in the list of 37 awardees. The ARs in the CESTAT do so much of thankless work for the Department - always unheard (except in the court) and unsung. It is unfortunate that their work goes unrecognized. While officers routinely posted to NACEN get a 30 percent allowance, even if they cannot take a single class, the ARs in CESTAT who have to face brilliant lawyers and more brilliant judges with the badly drafted notices and pathetically written orders, are not given any incentive. Hard work, sincerity, passion, loyalty and erudition - all are discerningly visible when you see an AR arguing a case - often a bad one. Officers from the investigating agencies like DRI and CEI often corner many of the awards - but their cases are cases only when effectively defended by the DRs in the Tribunal Benches. Almost all the AR srichly deserve the Presidential award, but hardly anyone ever gets it.
An AR once told me that she prays before appearing for a major case and one day she asked her daughter also to pray for her. "Mummy, what will you get if you win the case?, asked the daughter. "Nothing, but satisfaction", was the answer.
The Chief Commissioner (AR) should prevail upon the Board to grant a few awards to the ARs every year. Even the DRI and CEI chiefs should recommend some ARs for the award. This is the least you can do to your most dedicated officers slogging it out in the Tribunal.
The AR who told me about praying before going to court is R. Bhagya Devi, now Commissioner of Central Excise in Chennai. She also figures in this year's Presidential awards - maybe the great work she did as AR in CESTAT is being belatedly recognised. She was humility personified when DDT called her up to congratulate her.
One great advantage in working in CESTAT is you develop great manners and extreme courtesy. After all you are always submitting before their lordships and everybody on the other side is your learned friend!An AR told me once, "With all these submissions and excellent manners, we are sure to go to heaven."
JM Kennedy, Director TRU in the CBEC is another prominent awardee this year.
TIOL congratulates all the awardees.
Notification No., Dated: January 20, 2014