Excise Officer reinstated in long-deprived post

KOCHI: A Central Excise officer who was allegedly denied timely promotions was finally made additional commissioner following the intervention of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). M K Gopinath was allegedly denied promotions because of his involvement in agitations under the banner of the Council of Kerala Central Excise Officers’ Association against the administration in 1984.Gopinath, who was then serving as Inspector in Kochi was the the Council convener. An adverse remark was made about Gopinath in the confidential report. Gopinath should have been additional commissioner by now had he received timely promotions as superintendent, assistant commissioner, deputy commissioner and joint commissioner.Though he approached the department and even the President of India, he found no relief. Later he approached the CAT, which directed the government to grant the promotion due. He has been promoted as additional commissioner with effect from January 2010 by Union Finance Ministry with all consequential benefits.