Revenue officials stage protest urging government to fulfil charter of demands

Members of the Federation of Revenue Associations (FERA) on Wednesday took out a rally and staged a protest in Dindigul urging the State government to fulfil their charter of demands.

The members said that they were overburdened with work and the unrealistic deadlines. Already there was a staff shortage and the government was implementing various special schemes. The officials had to implement the schemes and were under pressure. Instead of burdening the officials with additional work, the existing vacancies in various posts should be filled, they demanded.

They demanded the enactment of a Special laws to protect the Revenue officials. The members said that they were facing threats particularly during the field visits. The Special laws should be enacted for the protection of the Revenue officials and to take strict action against those who threaten the officials, they said.

The members said that the appointments on compassionate grounds had reduced from 25% to 5%. When there were vacancies in several posts and staff shortage, the government should restore the appointments on compassionate grounds to 25% keeping in mind the plight of the families of deceased employees, they said.

The members also demanded better salaries and special pay considering the workload and efficiency. They urged the government to recruit employees on a permanent basis instead of appointing the employees on a temporary basis and through outsourcing.

The FERA members urged the government to declare July 1 as ‘Revenue Day’ and organise State level programmes to acknowledge the contributions of the Revenue officials.