Transfer orders of 109 customs and excise officers put on hold

NEW DELHI: Transfer orders of over 100 senior customs and excise officers issued by UPA government on vote counting day and a few days later have been put on hold.

According to an office order, issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) on Friday, transfer of five Additional Commissioners and 104 Assistant Commissioners has been put on hold.

The UPA government, which lost power to BJP-led NDA when votes were counted on May 16, had issued orders for posting of five Additional Commissioners on that very day. Four days later, it issued another order transferring 104 Assistant Commissioners.

"Transfers and postings order issued dated May 16, 2014... and office order dated May 20... are put on hold," the CBEC said in its May 23 order.

It further said "no officer (named in the earlier two orders) should be allowed to join their new postings till further order".

The Revenue Department had also issued similar transfer orders for Commissioner rank officers in the Income-Tax Department, which is under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). As per reports, close to 140 IRS officers in the CBDT were issued transfer and postings orders.

Sources in the Finance Ministry said a decision in the case of transfer of CBDT officers could also be made soon.