Highlights of Cabinet approval on 7th CPC Allowances for Central Govt Employees and Defence Personnel
Highlights of Cabinet approval on 7th CPC Allowances on 28.6.2017
Cabinet approves recommendations of the 7th CPC on allowances
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
approved the recommendations of the 7th CPC on allowances with some
modifications. The revised rates of the allowances shall come into
effect from 1st July, 2017 and shall affect more than 48 lakh central
government employees.
While approving the recommendations of the 7th CPC on 29th June, 2016,
the Cabinet had decided to set up the Committee on Allowances (CoA) in
view of substantial changes in the existing provisions and a number of
representations received. The modifications are based on suggestions
made by the CoA in its Report submitted to Finance Minister on 27th
April, 2017 and the Empowered Committee of Secretaries set up to screen
the recommendations of 7th CPC.
7th CPC recommendations on Allowances : The 7th CPC had adopted a
three-pronged approach in examining a total of 197 allowances which
involved an assessment of the need for continuation of each allowance,
appropriateness of the set of people covered by the allowance and
rationalisation which involved clubbing of allowances with similar
objectives. Based on the examination on these lines, the 7th CPC
recommended that 53 allowances be abolished and 37 be subsumed in an
existing or a newly proposed allowance.
For most of the allowances that were retained, the 7th CPC recommended a
raise commensurate with inflation as reflected in the rates of Dearness
Allowance (DA). Accordingly, fully DA-indexed allowances such as
Transport Allowance were not given any raise. Allowances not indexed to
DA were raised by a factor of 2.25 and the partially indexed ones by a
factor of 1.5. The quantum of allowances paid as a percentage of pay was
rationalised by a factor of 0.8.
A new paradigm has been evolved to administer the allowances linked to
risk and hardship. The myriad allowances, their categories and
sub–categories pertaining to civilians employees, CAPF and defence
personnel have been fitted into a table called the Risk and Hardship
Matrix (R&H Matrix). The Matrix has nine cells denoting varying
degrees of risk and hardship with one extra cell at the top named as RH –
Max to include Siachen Allowance. Multiple rates applicable to
individual allowances will be replaced by two slab rates for every cell
of the R&H Matrix.
Modifications approved by the Cabinet : The modifications approved today
were finalised by the E-CoS based on the recommendations of the CoA.
The CoA had undertaken extensive stakeholder consultations before
finalising its recommendations. It had interacted with Joint
Consultative Machinery (Staff side) and representatives from various
staff associations. Most of the modifications are on account of
continuing requirement of some of the existing arrangements,
administrative exigencies and to further the rationalization of the
allowances structure.
Financial Implications : The modifications approved by the Government in
the recommendations of the 7th CPC on allowances will lead to a modest
increase of ₹1448.23 crore per annum over the projections made by the
7th CPC. The 7th CPC, in its Report, had projected the additional
financial implication on allowances at ₹29,300 crore per annum. The
combined additional financial implication on account of the 7th CPC
recommendations along with the modifications approved by the Cabinet is
estimated at ₹30748.23 crore per annum.
Highlights of Cabinet approval on Allowances
1. Number of allowances recommended to be abolished and subsumed:
Government has decided not to abolish 12 of the 53 allowances which were
recommended to be abolished by the 7th CPC. The decision to retain
these allowances has been taken keeping in view the specific functional
requirements of Railways, Posts and Scientific Departments such as Space
and Atomic Energy. It has also been decided that 3 of the 37 allowances
recommended to be subsumed by the 7th CPC will continue as separate
identities. This has been done on account of the unique nature of these
allowances. The rates of these allowances have also been enhanced as per
the formula adopted by the 7th CPC. This will benefit over one lakh
employees belonging to specific categories in Railways, Posts, Defence
and Scientific Departments.
2. House Rent Allowance
HRA is currently paid @ 30% for X (population of 50 lakh & above),
20% for Y (5 to 50 lakh) and 10% for Z (below 5 lakh) category of
cities. 7th CPC has recommended reduction in the existing rates to 24%
for X, 16% for Y and 8% for Z category of cities. As the HRA at the
reduced rates may not be sufficient for employees falling in lower pay
bracket, it has been decided that HRA shall not be less than ₹5400,
₹3600 and ₹1800 for X, Y and Z category of cities respectively. This
floor rate has been calculated @ 30%, 20% and 10% of the minimum pay of
₹18000. This will benefit more than 7.5 lakh employees belonging to
Levels 1 to 3.
7th CPC had also recommended that HRA rates will be revised upwards in
two phases to 27%, 18% and 9% when DA crosses 50% and to 30%, 20% and
10% when DA crosses 100%. Keeping in view the current inflation trends,
the Government has decided that these rates will be revised upwards when
DA crosses 25% and 50% respectively. This will benefit all employees
who do not reside in government accommodation and get HRA.
3. Siachen Allowance
7th CPC had placed Siachen Allowance in the RH-Max cell of the R&H
Matrix with two slabs of ₹21,000 and ₹31,500. Recognizing the extreme
nature of risk and hardship faced by officers / PBORs on continuous
basis in Siachen, the Government has decided to further enhance the
rates of Siachen Allowance which will now go up from the existing rate
from ₹14,000 to ₹30,000 per month for Jawans & JCOs (Level 8 and
below) and from ₹21,000 to ₹42,500 per month for Officers (Level 9 and
above). With this enhancement, Siachen Allowance will become more than
twice the existing rates. It will benefit all the soldiers and officers
of Indian Army who are posted in Siachen.
4. Dress Allowance
At present, various types of allowances are paid for provisioning and
maintenance of uniforms/outfits such as Washing Allowance, Uniform
Allowance, Kit Maintenance Allowance, Outfit Allowance etc. These have
been rationalised and subsumed in newly proposed Dress Allowance to be
paid annually in four slabs @ ₹5000, ₹10,000, ₹15,000 and ₹20,000 per
annum for various category of employees. This allowance will continue to
be paid to Nurses on a monthly basis in view of high maintenance and
hygiene requirements. Government has decided to pay higher rate of Dress
Allowance to SPG personnel keeping in view the existing rates of
Uniform Allowance paid to them (which is higher than the rates
recommended by the 7th CPC) as also their specific requirements. The
rates for specific clothing for different categories of employees will
be governed separately.
5. Tough Location Allowance
Some allowances based on geographical location such as Special
Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance (SCRLA), Sunderban Allowance
& Tribal Area Allowance have been subsumed in Tough Location
Allowance. The areas under TLA have been classified into three
categories and the rates will be governed as per different cells of
R&H Matrix and will be in the range of ₹1000 – ₹5300 per month. The
7th CPC had recommended that TLA will not be admissible with Special
Duty Allowance (SDA) payable in North-East, Ladakh and the Islands.
Government has decided that employees will be given the option to avail
of the benefit of SCRLA at pre-revised rates along with SDA at revised
rates.
6. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to all employees:
(i) Rate of Children Education Allowance (CEA) has been increased from
₹1500 per month / child (max. 2) to ₹2250 per month / child (max.2).
Hostel Subsidy will also go up from ₹4500 per month to ₹6750 per month.
(ii) Existing rates of Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with
Disabilities has been doubled from ₹1500 per month to ₹3000 per month.
(iii) Higher Qualification Incentive for Civilians has been increased from ₹2000 – ₹10000 (Grant) to ₹10000 – ₹30000 (Grant).
7. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to
Uniformed Services: Defence, CAPFs, Police, Indian Coast Guard and
Security Agencies
i. The 7th CPC has recommended abolition of Ration Money Allowance (RMA)
and free ration to Defence officers posted in peace areas. It has been
decided that Ration Money Allowance will continue to be paid to them and
directly credited to their account. It will benefit 43000 Defence
officers.
ii. Technical Allowance (Tier – I & II) are paid to Defence officers
belonging to technical branches @₹3000 per month and ₹4500 per month.
7th CPC has recommended that Technical Allowance (Tier – II) be merged
with Higher Qualification Incentive for Defence personnel. In view of
the specific requirements of Defence Forces for the Defence personnel to
keep pace with changing Defence requirements and technologies, the
Government has decided not to discontinue Technical Allowance. The list
of courses for these allowances will be reviewed to remain in sync with
the latest technical advancements in Defence.
iii. The facility of one additional free railway warrant (Leave Travel
Concession) presently granted to personnel of Defence Forces serving in
field/high altitude/CI Ops shall also be extended to all personnels of
CAPFs and the Indian Coast Guard.
iv. Rates of High Altitude Allowance granted to Defence Forces and CAPF
personnel will be governed by the R&H Matrix. The rates will go up
from ₹810 – ₹16800 per month to ₹2700 – ₹25000 per month.
v. Field Area Allowances are granted to Indian Army, Air Force &
CAPF personnel. The rates of Field Area Allowances (Modified Field,
Field & Highly Active) will be governed by the R&H Matrix. The
rates will go up from ₹1200 – ₹12600 per month to ₹6000 – ₹16900 per
month. Classification of field areas for this allowance will be done by
Ministry of Defence for Defence personnel and by Ministry of Home
Affairs for CAPFs.
vi. The rates of Counter Insurgency Ops (CI Ops) Allowance, granted to
Defence and CAPFs while deployed in counter – insurgency operations will
be governed by the R&H Matrix. The rates will go up from ₹3000 –
₹11700 per month to ₹6000 – ₹16900 per month.
vii. Rates of MARCOS and Chariot Allowance granted to marine commandos
of Indian Navy will be governed by the R&H Matrix. The rates will go
up from ₹10500 – ₹15750 per month to ₹17300 – ₹25000 per month.
viii. Rates of Sea Going Allowance granted to personnel of Indian Navy
will be governed by the R&H Matrix. The twelve hour conditionality
for determining the eligibility of Sea Going Allowance has been reduced
to four hours. The rates will go up from ₹3000 – ₹7800 per month to
₹6000 – ₹10500 per month.
ix. Rates of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) Allowance
granted to CRPF personnel deployed in Naxal hit areas will be governed
by the R&H Matrix. The rates will go up from ₹8400 – ₹16800 per
month to ₹17300 – ₹25000 per month.
x. Rates of Flying Allowance granted to flying branch and technical
officers of Defence Forces will be governed by the R&H Matrix. The
rates will go up from ₹10500 – ₹15750 per month to ₹17300 – ₹25000 per
month. It has been extended mutatis mutandis to BSF Air Wing also.
xi. Rates of Higher Qualification Incentive for Defence Personnel have
been increased from ₹9000 – ₹30000 (Grant) to ₹10000 – ₹30000 (Grant).
xii. Aeronautical Allowance, presently paid to personnel of Indian Navy,
has been extended to Indian Coast Guard. The rate of this allowance has
been increased from ₹300 per month to ₹450 per month.
xiii. Rates of Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer Allowance will be
governed by the R&H Matrix. The rates will go up from ₹1500 / ₹3000
per month to ₹4100 / ₹5300 per month.
xiv. Rates of Territorial Army Allowance have been increased from ₹175 – ₹450 per month to ₹1000 – ₹2000 per month.
xv. Ceilings of Deputation (Duty) Allowance for Defence Personnel have
been increased from ₹2000 – ₹4500 per month to ₹4500 – ₹9000 per month.
xvi. Rates of Detachment Allowance have been increased ₹165 – ₹780 per day to ₹405 – ₹1170 per day.
xvii. Rates of Para Jump Instructor Allowance have been increased from ₹2700/3600 per month to ₹6000 / 10500 per month.
xviii. Special Incident / Investigation / Security Allowance has been
rationalized. Rates for Special Protection Group (SPG) have been revised
to 55% and 27.5% of Basic Pay for operational and non – operational
duties respectively.
8. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to Indian Railways
i. Rates of Additional Allowance have been increased from ₹500 / 1000
per month to ₹1125 / 2250 per month. This has also been extended to Loco
Pilot Goods and Senior Passenger Guards also @₹750 per month.
ii. In view of strenuous nature of the job, new Allowance namely Special
Train Controller’s Allowance @5000 per month for Train Controllers of
Railways has been introduced.
9. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to Nurses & Ministerial Staffs of Hospital
i. Existing rate of Nursing Allowance has been increased from ₹4800 per month to ₹7200 per month.
ii. Rate of Operation Theatre Allowance has been increased from ₹360 per month to ₹540 per month.
iii. Rates of Hospital Patient Care Allowance / Patient Care Allowance
have been increased from ₹2070 – ₹2100 per month to ₹4100 – ₹5300 per
month. 7th CPC recommendations modified to the extent that it will be
granted to Ministerial staff also.
10. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to Pensioners
Rate of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for Pensioners has been increased
from ₹500 per month to ₹1000 per month. This will benefit more than 5
lakh central government pensioners not availing CGHS facilities.
i. The rate of Constant Attendance Allowance granted on 100% disablement
has been increased from ₹4500 per month to ₹6750 per month.
11. Allowances to Scientific Departments
i. The recommendations of 7th CPC to abolish Launch Campaign Allowance
and Space Technology Allowance has not been accepted. In order to
incentivize the supporting employees in Space and Atomic Energy sector,
the rate of Launch Campaign and Space Technology Allowance has been
increased from ₹7500 per annum to ₹11250 per annum. Professional Update
Allowance for non-gazetted employees of Department of Atomic Energy will
also continue to be paid at the enhanced rate of ₹11250 per annum.
ii. The 7th CPC had placed Antarctica Allowance, paid to the Scientists
and other members undertaking the expedition to Antarctica under the
Indian Antarctic programme, in the RH-Max Cell of the R&H Matrix.
The rates of the RH-Max Cell recommended by the 7th CPC were less than
the existing rates of Antarctica Allowance which is currently paid on
per day basis. Considering the specific nature of these expeditions and
to provide appropriate increase in rates, Government has decided to keep
Antarctica Allowance out of the R&H Matrix and the allowance will
continue to be paid on per day basis as per existing practice. The Rates
of Antarctica Allowance will go up from ₹1125 per day (Summers) and
₹1688 per day (Winters) to ₹1500 per day (Summers) and ₹2000 per day
(Winters).
12. Allowances paid to D/o Posts
i. The recommendations of 7th CPC to abolish Cycle Allowance, granted
mainly to Postmen and trackmen in Railways, has not been accepted.
Keeping in view the specific requirement of this allowance for postmen
in Department of Posts and trackmen in Railways, the cycle allowance is
retained and the rates have been doubled from ₹90 per month to ₹180 per
month. This will benefit more than 22,200 employees.
Conclusion
While increasing the rate of allowances affecting the central government
employees, especially the Defence, CAPF and Coast Guard personnel, the
staff of Railways, Postal department and nursing staff, the total number
of allowances have been rationalized from 197 to 128. Thus, the
Government has shown a great deal of fiscal prudence and at the same
time addressed the genuine concerns of the employees and responded to
some of the administrative exigencies necessitating the modifications.
