Speaking at the meeting of the Central Excise Inspectors Association in Bangalore, Ms Radhakrishnan said with the new international airport, the volume of cargo and travellers is going to increase tremendously. “With a shortage and improper deployment of staff, we may have some problems. I will shortly take up the matter with cadre controlling authority in-charge of Karnataka,” she added.

Earlier, in his keynote address, Member, Central Board of Excise and Customs P R V Raman said it’s important for the officials to raise the level of understanding and technical expertise to adapt to the new changes. He asked them to leave aside the worries of Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Large Taxpayer Units (LTU) and come together. “There’s disunity among the cadres; between Central Excise and Customs, Group A officers and promotees. Sink these differences and present a unified front. Ask your management to provide you with the latest training; seek greater participation in management decisions and adjust to change,” he said while adding that the management should address the concerns of the junior officers.

Prabhakar Rao, president, All India Central Excise Inspectors Association drew the attention of the senior officers present there to the slow pace of promotion in the service.