The indirect tax apex body, Central Board of Excise and Custom (CBEC), has implemented cadre restructuring exercise at “office-formation” level with effect from Wednesday. This will help in better services to tax payers and also deepen the tax base. Indirect taxes comprise custom duty, excise and service tax.

The cadre restructuring exercise has two components – more formations i.e. offices and more personnel. The first component is aimed at larger number of compact commissionerates arrived at by reorganising the existing commissionerates. For example, taking into account the growth in Service Tax over the last decade, four exclusive zones for Service tax have been created in metro cities, and the number of service tax commissionerates have been increased to 22 from 7.

Similarly, with expansion of ports, the number of Customs Commissionerates has gone up to 60 from 34. In the context of self assessment, the department is also laying emphasis on non intrusive controls by creating 45 audit commissionerates.

In terms of personnel, 18,067 additional posts will be created through internal promotion and through direct recruitment. Out of this, 989 additional posts will be for Group ‘A’ officials such as Chief Commissioner, Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners. The remaining will be for Group B, C and other category consisting of Superintendents, Inspectors, Havaldars and field staffs. Currently, the sanctioned strength of CBEC is 66,808 and after the restructuring, it will reach 84,875.

Revenue Department officials said that work is in progress for internal promotion related to Group B, C and other category personals consisting of Superintendents, Inspectors, Havaldars and field staffs. Initial procedures have also been initiated for promotion in Group A cadre. However, process of direct recruitment might take some time.

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