IS THE GOVERNMENT HAVING A SECOND THOUGHT ON FIVE COIN POSTINGS?

New Delhi: Senior IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officers have turned apprehensive about their candidature for foreign postings (COIN postings) ever since they applied for the same over 18 months back. The Centre had in August 2020 invited applications for six COIN posts. Dozens of Additional/Joint Commissioner rank IRS (C&IT) applied for the postings.

However, even after more than one and half years, no decision is said to have been made, making the applicants nervous and apprehensive. It is pointed out that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had in August 2020 written to all Principal Chief Commissioners, DGs, and chief departmental representatives inviting applications for six COIN postings in Singapore, New York, Brussels, Moscow, Kathmandu, and Birgunj (Nepal). The posts covered First Secretary (Commerce), High Commission of India in Singapore; Consul (Trade), Consul General of India in New York; First Secretary (Trade), Brussels; First Secretary (Trade), Moscow; First Secretary (Economic), High Commission of India, Kathmandu; and Consul (Commerce), CGI, Birgunj (Nepal).

A section of officials says that the proposals, after due diligence, were moved to the ACC for ratification. The Government’s silence on the issue has made officials believe that the government may have a second thought about sending off half a dozen officers on foreign postings.