7th CPC – Modification of the Provisions relating to travelling Allowance entitlement of Armed Forces Personnel

7th CPC – Modification of the Provisions relating to travelling Allowance entitlement of Armed Forces Personnel

Important Circular

No:AT/IV/4462/Orders

Date: 17-10-2017

To,

All PCsDA/CsDA/PCA(Fys)

Sub: Modification of the Provisions relating to travelling Allowance entitlement of Armed Forces Personnel Consequent to the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission and Government – Acceptance thereof

A Copy of Government of India Ministry Of Defence No.12630/Mov/C/242/D(Mov)/2017 dated 15th September 2017 received under ADG of Mov C, DGOL & SM GS branch, IHQ of MoD (Army) letter No.12630/AT/DA/Mov C dated 20th September 2017 on TA entitlements is forwarded herewith for information and necessary action please.

This issues with approval of Addl.CGDA (P&W)

S/d,
Sr ACGDA (P & W)

0-0-0-0-0

Tele:23018391

Addl Dte Gen of Movement /Mov C
Dte General Operational Logistics & SM
General Staff Branch
Integrated Hq of MoD (Army)
New Delhi – 110 011

12630/TA/DA/Mov C

20 Sep 17

Sub: Modification of the provisions relating to travelling Allowance entitlements of armed forces personnel consequent to the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission and Government – Acceptance thereof

1. A copy of govt of India, Min of Defence letter No.12630/Mov C/242/D (Mov)/2017 dated 15 Sep 17 with regard to Travelling Allowance entitlements to Armed Forces personnel as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC and Govt acceptance thereof is forwarded herewith.

2. The above may please be disseminated to all Fmn/Units under your control.

S/d,
(Pawan Kumar Tiwari)
Dy Director
Strat Mov C & D
For DGOL & SM

o-o-o-o-o

No.12630/Mov C/242/D (Mov)/2017
Government Of India
Ministry Of Defence

New Delhi, the 15th September,2017

To

The chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
New Delhi

Sub: Modification of the provisions Relating to Travelling Allowance Entitlements of Armed Forces Personnel consequent to the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay commission and government – Acceptance thereof

Sir,

1. I am directed to say that in pursuance of the decisions taken by the Govt on the recommendations of the Seven Central Pay Commission relating to Travelling Allowance entitlements, the Ministry of Finance have issued orders vide OM No.19030/1/2017-E.IV dated 13 July 2017 for modifying Travelling Allowance entitlements of Civilian Central Govt Employees. In pursuance thereto, sanction of the president is conveyed to the modifications in the Travel Regulations, 2014 (Edn) for Armed Forces Personnel as set out in Annexure to this letter.

2. The ‘Pay Level’ for determining the TA/DA entitlement is as indicated in relevant special Army/Navy/Air Force instructions.

3. The term ‘Pay in the Level’ for the purpose of these orders refers to Basic Pay drawn in appropriate Pay level in the pay matrix as defined in relevant special Army/Navy/Air Force instructions issued in pursuance to Govt decision on 7th CPC recommendations and does not include Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), Military Service Pay (MSP) or any other type of pay like special pay, etc.

4. However, if the Travelling Allowance entitlements in terms of the revised entitlements now prescribed result in a lowering of the existing entitlements in the case of any individual, groups, ranks or classes of service pers, the entitlements particularly in respect of mode of travel, class of accommodation, etc, shall not be lowered. They will instead continue to be governed by the earlier orders on the subject till such time as they become eligible, in the normal course, for the higher entitlements.

5. The claims submitted in respect of journey made on or after 1st July,2017 may be regulated in accordance with these orders. In respect of journeys performed prior to 1st July,2017,the claims may be regulated in accordance with the previous orders dated 29 Dec 2008.

6. It may be noted that no additional funds will be provided on account of revision in TA/DA entitlements. It may therefore be ensured that permission to official travel is given judiciously and restricted only to absolutely essential official requirements.

7. The relevant Rules of Travel Regulations will be amended in due course. As these orders are based on MoF OM No.F-19030/1/2017-E.IV dated 13 July,2017 as well as further O.M.No.19030/1/2017-E.IV dated 18 August,2017 these OM would be referred to for settling any doubts/discrepancies.

8. These orders shall take effect from 01st July,2017.

9. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Defence (Fin/QA) vide their No.505 dated 15-09-2017.

Yours faithfully,

(Irsad Alam)
Under Secretary to the Govt Of India

0-0-0-0-0

Annexure to Govt of India, MoD letter No.12630/Mov C/242/D(Mov)/17 dated 15 Sept 2017.

1. In partial modification of Govt of India. Ministry Of Defence letter No.12630/Mov C/3737/D(Mov)/08 dated Dec 2008 as amended from time to time, the following provisions will be applicable with effect from 01st July 2017.

2.Entitlements for Journeys on Tour or Training (Rule 57,58,62,92,95,107 and 108 of Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn).

(A) (i) Travel Entitlements within the Country (Rule 92,95 and 108 of Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn).

(ii) It has also been decided to allow the Government Officials to travel by premium Trains/Premium Tatkal Trains/Suvidha Trains, the reimbursement to premium Tatkal charges for booking of tickets and the reimbursement of Dynamic/Flexi-fare in shatabdi/Rajdhani/Duronto Trains while on official tour/training. Reimbursement of Tatkal Seva charges which has fixed fare, will remain continue to be allowed. Travel entitlement for the journey in premium /Premium Tatkal/Suvidha/Shatabdi/Rajdhani/Duronto Trains will be as under:-

(iii) The revised travel entitlements are subject to following:-

(a) In case of places not connected by rail, travel by AC bus for all those entitled to travel by AC II Tier and above by train and by Deluxe/Ordinary bus for others is allowed.

(b) In case of road travel between places connected by rail, travel by any means of public transport is allowed provided the total fare does not exceed the train fare by the entitled class.

(c) All mileage points earned by service personnel on tickets purchased for official travel shall be utilized by the concerned department for other official travel by their officers. Any usage of these mileage points for purposes of private travel by an officer will attract departmental action. This is to ensure that the benefits out of official travel, which is funded by the Government, should accrue to the Government.

(d) In case of non-availability of seats in entitled class, service pers may travel in the class below their entitled class.

(B) International Travel Entitlement by Air – (Rule 245 of Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn).

(C) Entitlement for Journey by Sea or by River steamer – (Rule 58 and 107 of Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn).

(i) For places other than A & N Group of Islands and Lakshaweep Group of Island:-

(ii) For travel between the mainland and the A & N Group of Islands and Lakshadweep Group of Islands by ships operated by the Shipping corporation of India Limited:-

(D) Mileage Allowance for Journeys By Road – Rule 102,106 and 111 of Travel Regulations, (2014 Edn).

(i) At places where specific rates have been prescribed:-

(ii) At places where no specific rates have been prescribed either by the Directorate of Transport of the concerned state or of the neighboring states:

Note: At places where no specific rates have been prescribed, the rate per km will further rise by 25 percent whenever DA increases by 50 percent.

(i) Daily Allowance on Tour – Rule 114 of Travel Regulations, (2014 Edn)

The rates of Daily Allowance are revised as follows:-

(ii) Reimbursement of Hotel charges:- For levels 8 and below, the amount of claim (up to the ceiling) may be paid without production of vouchers against self-certified claim only. The self-certified claim should clearly indicate the period of stay, name of dwelling etc. Additionally, for stay in Class X cities, the ceiling for all employees up to level 8 would be 1000 per day, but it will only be in the form of reimbursement upon production of relevant vouchers. The ceiling for reimbursement of hotel charges will further rise by 25 percent whenever DA increases by 50 percent.

(iii) Reimbursement of Travelling Charges: Similar to Reimbursement of staying accommodation charges, for levels 8 and below, the claim (up to the ceiling) may be paid without production of vouchers against self-certified claim only. The self-certified claim should clearly indicate the period of travel, Vehicle number, etc. The ceiling for levels 11 and below will further rise by 25 percent whenever DA increases by 50 percent. For journeys on foot, an allowance of Rs.12/- per kilometer travelled on foot shall be payable additionally. This rate will further increase by 25% whenever DA increased by 50%.

(iv) Reimbursement of Food Charges: There will be no separate reimbursement of food bills. Instead, the lump sum amount payable will be as per Table E(i) above and, depending on the length of absence from headquarters, would be regulated as per Table (V) below. since the concept of reimbursement has been done away with, no vouchers will be required, This methodology is in line with that followed by Indian Railways at present (with suitable enhancement or rates). i.e Lump sum amount payable. The lump sum amount will increases by 25 percent whenever DA increases by 50 percent.

(v) Timing Restrictions

Absence from Headquarter will be reckoned from midnight to midnight and will be calculated on a per day basis.

(vi) In case of stay/journey on govt ships, boats etc. or journey to remote places on foot/mules etc for scientific/date collection purposes in organization like FSI, survey of India, GSI etc., daily allowance will be paid at rate equivalent to that provided for reimbursement of food bill. However, in this case, the amount will be sanctioned irrespective of the actual expenditure incurred on this account with the approval of the Head of Department/controlling Officer.

Note: DA rates for foreign travel will be regulated as prescribed by Ministry of External Affairs.

3.T.A. on Transfer – (Rule 57,58,60,61,62,67,69 and 70 of Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn).

TA on Transfer included 4 components:-

(i) Travel entitlement for self and family.

(ii) composite Transfer and packing grant (CTG)

(iii) Reimbursement of charges on transportation of personal effects.

(iv) Reimbursement of charges on transportation of conveyance.

(i) Travel Entitlements:

(a) Travel entitlements as prescribed for tour in para 2 above, except for international travel, will be applicable in case of journeys on transfer. The general conditions of admissibility as laid down in Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn) will, however, continue to be applicable.

(b) The provisions relating to small family norms as contained in para 2(a) of Annexure to Ministry of Defence letter No.12630/Q Mov C/3198/D Mov/98 dated 28 Oct 1998 shall continue to be applicable.

(ii) Composite Transfer and packing Grant (CTG):

(a) The composite Transfer Grant shall be paid at the rate 80% of the last month’s basic pay in case of transfer involving a change of station located at a distance of or more than 20 kms from each other. However, for transfer to and from the Island territories of Andaman, Nicobar & Lakshadweep, CTG shall be paid at the rate of 100% of last month’s basic pay. Further, NPS and MSP shall not be included as part of basic pay while determining entitlement for CTG.

(b) In cases of transfer to stations which are at a distance of less than 20 kms from the old station and of transfer within the same city, one third of the composite Transfer Grant will be admissible, provided a change of residence is actually involved.

(c) In cases, where the transfer of husband and wife takes place within six months, but after 60 days of the transfer of the spouse, fifty percent of the Transfer Grant on transfer shall be allowed to the spouse transferred later. No Transfer Grant shall be admissible to the spouse transferred later, in case both the transfers are ordered within 60 days. The existing provisions shall continue to be applicable in case of transfers after a period of six months or more. Other rules precluding Transfer Grant in case of transfer at own request or transfer other than in public interest, shall continue to apply unchanged in their case.

(iii) Transportation of Personal Effects

(a) The rates will further rise by 25 percent Whenever DA increase by 50 percent. The rates for transporting the entitled weight by Steamer will be equal to the prevailing rates prescribed by such transport in ships operated by shipping corporation of India. The claim for reimbursement shall be admissible subject to the production of actual receipts/vouchers by the service pers. Production of receipts/vouchers is mandatory in respect of transfer cases of North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep also.

(b) Transportation of personal effects by road is as per kilometre basis only. The classification of cities/towns for the purpose of transportation of personal effects is done away with.

(iv) Transportation of conveyance – (Rule 67 & 70 of Travel Regulations, 2014 Edn).

The general conditions of admissibility of TA on transfer as laid down in Travel Regulations (2014 Edn) will however continue to be applicable.

4. T.A.Entitlement of Retiring Service Pers – (Rule 200-A & B of Travel Regulations,2014 Edn).

TA on Retirement includes 4 components:-

(i) Travel entitlement for self and family.

(ii) Composite Transfer and packing grant (CTG)

(iii) Reimbursement of charges on transportation of personal effects.

(iv) Reimbursement of charges on transportation of conveyance.

(i) Travel Entitlements.

Travel entitlement as prescribed for tour/transfer in para 2 above, except for international travel, will be applicable in case of journeys on retirement. The general conditions of admissibility as laid down in Travel Regulations (2014 Edn) will, however, continue to be applicable.

(ii) Composite Transfer Grant (CTG):

(a) The composite Transfer Grant shall be paid at the rate 80% of the last month’s basic pay in case of those service pers, who on retirement, settled down at places other than last station(s) of their duty located at a distance of or more than 20 km. However, in case of settlement to and from the Island territories of Andaman, Nicobar & Lakshadweep, CTG shall be paid at the rate of 100% of last month’s basic pay. Further, NPA and MSP shall not be included as part of basic pay while determining entitlement for CTG. The transfer incidentals and road mileage for journeys between the residence and the railway station/bus stand etc. at the old and new station are already subsumed in the composite transfer grant and will not be separately admissible.

(b) As in the case of serving employees, service pers who on retirement, settle at the last station of duty itself or within a distance of less than 20 kms may be paid one third of the CTG subject to the condition that a change of residence is actually involved.

(iii) Transportation of Personal Effects:- Same as para 3(iii) above.

(iv) Transportation of Conveyance:- Same as Para 3(iv) above.

The general condition of admissibility of TA on Retirement as laid down in Travel Regulations (2014 Edn) will, however, continue to be applicable.

Signed Copy