Achievement Of Association:-
Achievement during a particular year is the outcome of continuous activities and persuasion of earlier years in connection with previous achievements of the Associational Goals.
Hence, following vis-à-vis Associational activities are worth mentioning.
(i) Scale upliftment of Departmental Officers:-
On 10th May, 2007 by the memorandum no. ARO/C/16/07-08 of ARO, W.B., we were able to convince the Departmental Head (LRC) and M.I.C. L&LR Department with the justification of enhancements of Scales of ROs, SRO-IIs and SRO-Is.
Ultimately on 28/7/2008 the scale of RO has been enhanced by Finance Department from scale no. 12 to 14 (i.e. equivalent to scale of Joint BDO); although the scale of SRO-II had been enhanced to scale no. 15 (instead of scale no. 16) due to the negative role of ALLO, which is now known to all in this Department.
(ii) Promotion Rule to WBCS(Exe) modified:-
When the scale of ROs was upgraded to scale no. 14 (i.e. at par with that of Jt. BDO), our initiative was to convince the LRC, W.B. and Hon’ble MIC, L&LR, W.B. and to inform that as no SRO-IIs were found eligible for promotion to WBCS(Exe), for want of six (06) years service completion as SRO-II, the seniority of 06 years was to be considered as combine service RO & SRO-II for eligibility of promotion to WBCS(Exe), i.e., 5 years’ service of R.O. and at least 1 year service of SRO-II as a bench mark for promotion to WBCS (Exe). Hence, two memos i.e. SLROA/201/09 dated 14/10/2009 of WBSLROA, W.B. and 31/ARO/C/08-09 dated 14/10/2009 of ARO, W.B. have been submitted before MIC, L&LR Department contained in file no. 1E-60/09 Apptt. Accordingly , on 10/01/2012 the Gazette has been published by P&AR Department by issuing Amendments of Notification being no. 91-P&AR(WBCS)/1D-146/99 dated 10/01/2012, containing new Promotion Rule to WBCS (Exe) from feeder services, as per our demands .It is pertinent to mention regarding the role of other Cadre Associations that WBLLROA did not even submit a memo for this promotional avenue; and the other Association i.e. ALLO submitted memos against this avenue by stating that this kind of promotional avenue will hamper the Department.
(iii) Initiative for formation of State LR Service by the present Govt.:-
In the backdrop of cadre related benefits mentioned in points, I would like to further state that our Association by its own initiative, met the Hon’ble Chief Minister., W.B. on 24/12/2012 and briefed the need of formation LR Service, along with other Departmental infrastructural needs and revenue generation etc.
Accordingly, Hon’ble Chief Minister was kind enough to direct the Chief Secretary to form a ‘Task Force’ immediately in this respect. Within very short time the said ‘Task Force’ was formed on 16/01/2013 with five (05) representatives of different Associations of which we had two members, i.e. Sri Sushil Pal, SRO-I & Sri Prabir Ghosh, SRO-II under the chairmanship of the then Divisional Commissioner, Jalpaiguri, and LRC, WB Sri A.K. Singh, IAS (since retired).
This is the first time in this departmental history that a ‘State Level Policy Making Committee’ has been formed having nearly full representation of Departmental officers. On 30/9/2013 the ‘Task Force’ submitted its report in which the formation of LR Service is one of the major recommendations .
We, from our past experiences in achieving the earlier goals, believe that by making “movement against the administration” does not work in present socio-political-administrative scenario. Rather, persuasion and convincing the appropriate authority has been working as best solution now-a-days. Our Association has been pursuing to implement the said recommendation before LRC and also before Hon’ble C.M. & M.I.C., L&LR .
Before the Sixth Pay Commission, in addition to demand for State Land Reforms Servicer, we have also explained the justification for the revision of scale of Revenue Office to scale no.15 on the ground that unless a better prospect in terms of basic scale and promotion is given a good number of experienced Officers are always in the fray for leaving this department even at an initial lower scale for better future prospect leading to experience drain.
We justified the necessity of State LR service both in the view point of technicalities and also on the view point of contribution to the social upliftment by these departmental officers.
It seemed to us that the members of the Commission is convinced about our long drawn stagnancy and suggestion of proper governance if the LR service is framed .
(iv) Transfer policy changed:-
Much awaited and demanded G.O. regarding transfer and posting of SRO-IIs from the department has been issued vide no. 3408- Apptt-1E-03/2016-Appt.(pt.) Dated Kolkata, the 25.08.2017.This is treated achievement of our long pending demand. We are still to achieve the same policy for Revenue Officers as well.
Recent Development And Role Of Our Association:-
(a) During 2018 , continuous persuasion of our Association resulted in publication of Up to Date Gradation List of RO, SRO-II and SRO-I. A draft Gradation list of SRO-I has also been published as on 01.01.2019. Association is pursuing for publication of updated Gradation list of SRO-II & R.O.as on 01.01.2019.
(b) Recently , all eligible ROs are being considered for promotion to SRO-II and 35 officers in two phases are promoted to the post of SRO-I. The Association took active role to cooperate the Department in publishing the said promotion orders.
(c) Promotion to WBCS(Exe):- Moreover the relevant effort is being made by our Association for completion of promotion of WBCS (Exe)- 2016(residue) and 2017 quota. It is to mention that role of PSC, West Bengal coupled with complicated process of ACR System are coming in the way of speedy completion of promotion process to WBCS (Exe).
(d) New ACR system:- The Association had been pursuing to modify “the A.C.R.Routing System” from its existing process to electronically transmitted ACR system. The SAR and its implementation has ultimately supported and established our demand.
(e) WBCS Promotion quota curtailment and our Role:- Recently, the P&AR Department’s memo vide no.81-/Pr. Secy/PAR& e G/17 dated 17.10.17 issued to Principal Secretary, L&LR Department regarding reduction of promotion quota of SRO-II to WBCS (Exe). The Association opposed the said proposal of P&AR Department and discussed the matter with the LRC, West Bengal and ultimately sent the departmental objection against the said reduction proposal ( vide Deptt. File No. IE-10/2017). As per suggestion of our Association the L&LR Department proposed that reduction proposal would further create the stagnation of promotion for departmental officers, unless a ‘State Land Reforms Service’ is created.
(f) Our Association has approached the LRC, West Bengal to implement the proposal of ‘State LR Service’ with the kind assent of Hon’ble Chief Minister, West Bengal at an early date keeping parity with similar structure as prevailed in “ West Bengal Secretariate Service” where there is no direct recruitment to the State Service.
(g) The concern File is lying before the Hon’ble Finance Minister for his kind approval and this is perhaps the last but one step to achieve the ultimate goal of our cadre.
Let the AGM pave the way for the Associational activities for the days to come & let this AGM witness matured and analytical speeches of the members, which will definitely add value to the future plan of the Association.