Grant of Transport Allowance to Central Government employees: Finmin orders

Grant of Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees: Finmin orders

Finance Ministry issued orders regarding the revised rates of Transport Allowance to Central Government employees as per Census 2011 with effect from 1.4.2015. The re-classification of cities/towns are specified in the list attached as Annexure.

G.I., Min. of Finance, Dep. of Exp. O.M.No.21(2)/2015-E.II(B), dated 6.8.2015

Subject:- Grant of Transport Allowance to Central Government employees

Reference is invited to Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M. No.21(2)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29th August 2008 regarding grant of Transport Allowance to Central Government employees, consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (6th CPC).

2. The Government has since considered the re-classification of cities/towns/localities as per Census-2011 (population criteria) for the purpose of Transport Allowance. Accordingly, the President is pleased to decide the revised classification of cities, towns and localities, for the purpose of grant of Transport Allowance at higher rates to Central Government employees, as per Annexure-1.

Therefore, the table below Para ‘1’ of O.M. dated 29.08.2008 stands partially modified as under :-

The revised classification of cities/towns/localities for the purpose of grant of Transport Allowance shall take effect from 1st April, 2015.

4. The orders will apply to all civilian employees of the Central Government. The orders will also be applicable to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates. In respect of Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. All other conditions mentioned in Department of Expenditure O.M. No.21(2)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008 shall remained unchanged.

6. In so far as the persons working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, this Order issues in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Authority: www.finmin.nic.in

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Finance Ministry issued orders on upgradation of cities / towns on the basis of Census 2011 for the purpose of House Rent Allowance

Finance Ministry issued orders on upgradation of cities / towns on the basis of Census 2011 for the purpose of House Rent Allowance

The new and revised list of cities & towns has been declared by the Finance Ministry today for the purpose of House Rent Allowance on the basis of Census 2011.

House Rent Allowance to Central Government employees is now calculated on the basis of the population census of 2001. The cities and towns are classified as X, Y, and Z, based on their population. Employees in these towns are eligible for 30%, 20% and 10% House Rent Allowances respectively.

Population census is conducted once every ten years. The most recent census was held in 2011. Official information and findings of the Census was sent by the registrar General & Census Commissioner to the Finance Ministry a long time ago.

There is no denial in the fact that the Confederation of Central Government Employees has been constantly demanding this upgrading. The Confederation had, on 28.04.2014, sent a letter to the Finance Ministry. The letter said that even though the 2011 Census Report CD was received, there is no official announcement from the Government in this regard. The letter also demanded that a revised HRA and TA be implemented immediately in the reclassification of cities and towns on the basis of 2011 Census. On 30.07.2014, the Finance Ministry had, in reply to the mail, said that steps are being taken to implement the revised HRA and TA rates to the Central Government employees of these cities and towns.

Now, Finance Ministry issued orders on re-classification / upgradation of cities / towns on the basis of Census 2011 for the purpose of House Rent Allowance to Central Govt employees with effect from 1.4.2015.

G.I. Min. of Finance, Dept. of Exp. O.M.No.2/5/2014-E.II(B), dated 21.7.2015

Subject : Re-Classification / Upgradation of Cities / Towns on the basis of Census-2011 for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) to Central Government employees.

Reference is invited to this Department’s O.M. No.2(13)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008 relating to grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) to Central Government employees on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) whereby a list of cities / towns classified as “X”, “Y” and “Z” for the purpose of grant of HRA was enclosed as Annexure. The matter relating to re-classification of cities / towns on the basis of Census-2011 for the purpose of grant of HRA to Central Government employees has been considered by the Government.

2. The President is pleased to decide that in supersession of all the existing orders relating to classification of cities/towns for the purpose of grant of HRA to Central Government employees, cities/towns shall now be re-classified as “X”, “Y” and “Z” for the purpose of HRA as enumerated in the Annexure to these orders.

3. Consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Central Pay Commission, certain cities / towns were placed in a lower classification as compared to their existing classification for HRA purpose, vide this Department’s O.M. No.2(30)/97-E.II(B) dated 03.10.97. However, these cities/towns were allowed to retain their existing higher classification, vide Para 3 thereof; and further extended vide O.M. No.2(21)/E.II(B)/2004 dated 16.03.2005 & O.M. No.2(13)/2008-E.II(B) dated 07.01.2009. As other cities / towns to which protection of retaining earlier higher classification was allowed, got upgraded during the intervening period and as on date only two cities i.e. Ajmer in Rajasthan and Durgapur in West Bengal were retaining such protection. Consequent upon upgradation of these two cities also on the basis of their population as per Census-2011, provisions contained in Para 3 of this Department’s O.M. No. 2(30)/97-E.II(B) dated 03.10.97 which Were allowed to further continue vide O.M. dated 16.03.2005 & 07.01.2009, stand withdrawn/discontinued.

4. Special orders allowing continuance of HRA at Delhi (‘X” class city) rates to Central Government employees posted at Faridabad, Ghaziabad, NOIDA and Gurgaon, at Jalandhar (“Y” class city) rates to Jalandhar Cantt., at “Y” class city rates to Shillong, Goa & Port Blair vide this Department’s O.M. No.2(13)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008, and continuance of HRA at par with Chandigarh (“Y” class city) to Panchkula vide this Department’s O.M. No.2(13)/2008-E.II(B) dated 04.03.2011, shall continue to be applicable till the recommendations of 7th CPC are considered by the Government.

5. These orders shall take effect from 1st April, 2015.

6. The Orders will apply to all civilian employees of the Central Government. The orders will also be applicable to the civilian employees paid from the Defence services Estimates. In respect of Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Railways, respectively.

7. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the comptroller & Auditor General of India.
Authority: www.finmin.nic.in

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Relaxation for Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents: CBDT Order

Relaxation for Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents: CBDT Order

F.No. A-27017/01/2015-Ad.VI (A)
 Government of India
 Ministry of Finance
 Department of Revenue
 Central Board of Direct Taxes

New Delhi, dated 9th January, 2015

To
All Pr. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax,
All Director General of Income Tax,

Sub: Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents – Regarding.

Sir/ Madam,
Kindly find enclosed herewith a copy of GM. of Ad.I Section of Department of Revenue bearing No. FTS No.110738/2014-Ad.I dated 31st December, 2014 alongwith its enclosure on the above mentioned subject for strict compliance by field offices.
Engl. as above.

Yours faithfully,

(Raju Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. India

F
inance Ministry orders on Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents issued on 31.12.2014

FTS No.110738/2014-Ad.I
 Government of India
 Ministry of Finance
 Department of Revenue

New Delhi, dated the 31 December, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents – Regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to Department of Expenditure’s observation vide its ID Note dated 11.12.2014 (copy enclosed) regarding non-compliance of extant air travel guidelines by field formations of Department of Revenue despite the same being internally circulated by the Department in October, 2012.
2. It. has been observed by the Department of Expenditure that officers of field formations under Department; of Revenue continue to claim ignorance of the extant air travel guidelines with regard to prescribed procedure for purchase of air tickets from authorized travel, agents in respect of air journey performed by them. Department of Expenditure have sought clarification as to how Department of Revenue proposes to ensure that the air travel guidelines are complied with strictly in all its field formations so as to eliminate cases requiring relaxation of air travel guidelines due to ignorance of these instructions.
3. It is, therefore, requested that wide publicity should be given to air travel guidelines issued by Department of Expenditure from time to time in respective field formations of CBDT and CBEC.

(Ajay Kumar Nema)
Director (Hqrs.)

Ministry of Finance
 Department of Expenditure
 (E.IV Branch)

Ref. DoR FNo.339/TA/2013-02225;

DoE ID No.232472/2014 dated 20-08-2014.

The Department of Revenue(DoR) may refer to the proposal seeking relaxation of the guidelines on air travel with regard to prescribed procedure for purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents only in respect of air journey performed by Shri Akhllesh Ranjan, JS(FT & TR-l) from Mumbai to Delhi on transfer wherein air tickets had been booked from unauthorized travel agent.

2. Further to this Department’s ID Note dated 20-08-2014, DoR may clarify as to how field formations under DoR continue to claim ignorance of the extant air travel guidelines even though these guidelines were internally circulated by DoR in October,2012 and how DoR proposes to ensure that the air travel guidelines are compiled with strictly in all its field formation so as to eliminate cases requiring relaxation of air travel guidelines due to ignorance of these instructions.

3. Further, DoR is advised to obtain a formal communication from Air India,as claimed by Shri Akhilesh Ranjan. JS(FT & TR-1) at para 4 on page 9/N (ante), that Air India is unable to verify the airfare charged by the unauthorized travel agent or indicate difference in the airfare, if any, after verification by Air India.

(A. Bhattacharya)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source Document: www.irsofficersonline.gov.in

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