"The strike was complete in the income tax and central excise departments where even the officers of the level of joint commissioners and above could not function in the absence of their staff", said Ashok B Salunkhe, joint convener of the CCF.

According to the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (Acaai), clearance of 80 per cent of the cargo at the air cargo complexes was disrupted.The berthing of the ships was also delayed at Mumbai Port and Kandla in Gujarat due to slow-down in the unloading of thevessels.

However, top officials in the three departments maintained that the work was unaffected due to prior arrangements made by the officials.

According to chief commissioner of income tax -I, B Mishra, revenue collection by the income tax was not affected even though the clerical staff stayed away from work as arrangements were made to have the files in advance in case of tax appeals.

The commissioner of income tax (appeals) are hearing the cases said Mishra adding that the assistant commissioners too were attending to queries of the tax payers.

Chief commissioner of customs GS Thampi said the strike had little impact either at the seaports or the cargo complex and passenger terminals at Sahar of Mumbai airport.