Enhancement of the quantum of Maternity Leave
Maternity Leave admissible to female Government servants has been enhanced from 135 days to 180 days with effect from the 1st September, 2008. This would enable female Government employees in nursing of their children till the age of 6 months. Further, the period of leave which can be availed of in continuation of maternity leave has also been increased to 2 years .
Introduction of Child Care Leave
In order to facilitate women employees to take care of their children at the time of need, Government has introduced Child Care leave with effect from 1st September,2008. Women employees having minor children may now be granted Child Care leave for a maximum period of two years (i.e. 730 days) during their entire career for taking care of upto two children whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. This leave can be availed of in more than one spell and will be admissible when the Government servant has no earned leave at her credit.
Benefits of Maternity Leave, Child Care leave extended to members of All India Service
In pursuance of the acceptance of recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission, for the central civil employees, some provisions like enhancement of Maternity Leave from 135 to 180 days and Child Care leave upto two years during their entire Service to women employees have been extended to the members of All India Services.
Encashment of Earned Leave along with LTC
Encashment of earned leave up to ten days at a time and to the extent of sixty days during entire career has been permitted while availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) by Central Government servants. Previously, the earned leave so encashed alongwith LTC was to be deducted from the maximum amount of earned leave encashable at the time of retirement. With effect from 1 September, 2008, the earned leave encashed at the time of availing LTC will not be deducted from the maximum amount of earned leave encashable at the time of retirement. The specialconcessions/benefits granted to central government employees working in Kashmir Valley and relief to Kashmiri migrant employees of Central Government and PSUs have extended for a further period upto 31 December, 2009.
Special Casual Leave to Differently-Abled Persons
The following orders in respect of casual leave to differently-abled persons have been issued:-
(i) Orders were issued for grant of Special Casual Leave upto 10 days in a calendar year to enable differently-abled persons in the Government to attend Conferences/Workshops held in connection with welfare of such category of persons.
(ii) Orders were also issued for grant of Special Casual Leave for 4 days in a calendar year for differently-abled persons in connection with their absence from duty in view of their special requirements.
Children Education Allowance Scheme
Children Education Allowance and Reimbursement of Tuition Fee which were hither to payable separately have now been merged and known as ‘Children Education Allowance Scheme”. Under the Scheme, Government servants can claim Children Education Allowance of Rs.12,000/- per child per annum for two school going children till the twelfth class. Hostel subsidy up to a maximum of Rs.3000/- per month per child can also be reimbursed under the scheme. However, both Hostel subsidy and Children Education Allowance cannot be availed concurrently. The above limits would be automatically raised by 25 per cent every time the Dearness Allowance on the pay goes up by 50 per cent.
Allowance for disabled Children
Women Government employees with disabilities are being paid Rs. 1000/- per month as Special Allowance for child care from the time of the child’s birth till the child is two years old. Reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for disabled children of Government employees are being paid at double the normal rates prescribed for normal children, i.e. Rs. 24,000/- per child per annum.
Deputation (Duty) Allowance
Subsequent to implementation of the recommendation of 6th CPC the rates of Deputation (Duty) Allowance has been revised w.e.f. 1.9.2008 to 5 per cent of basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs. 2000/- p.m. within same station and at the rate of 10 per cent of basic pay subject to Rs. 4000/- p.m. in other case.
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
In relaxation of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988, the Government have decided to permit Government servants to travel by air to North Eastern Region (NER) on LTC for a period of two years w.e.f. 2 May, 2008 as indicated below:-
(i) Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ Central Government employees will be entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the NER or nearest airport.
(ii) Other categories of employees will be entitled to travel by air to a city in the NER from Guwahati or Kolkata.
(iii) All Central Government employees will be allowed conversion of one block of Home Town LTC into LTC for destinations in NER
Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission following decisions have been taken regarding LTC which are effective from 1st September, 2008.
Definition of Family
The parents and /or step parents (stepmother and stepfather)who are wholly dependent on the Government employees shall be included in the definition of family for the purpose of LTC, irrespective of whether they are residing with the Government employee or not.
The definition of dependency will be linked to the minimum family pension prescribed in Central Government and dearness relief thereon. The extant conditions in respect of other relations included in the family including married/divorced/abandoned/separated/widowed daughters shall continue without any change.
Increase in the number of Home-Town LTC for fresh recruits
Fresh recruits to central government are allowed to travel to their home town along with their families on three occasions in a block of four years and to any place in India on the fourth occasion. This facility shall be available to the Government officers only for the first two blocks of four years applicable after joining the Government for the first time. The blocks of 4 years shall apply with reference to the initial date of joining the Government even though the employee changes the job within Government subsequently. The existing blocks will remain the same but the entitlements of the new recruit will be different in the first eight years of service. All other provisions concerning frequency of travel under LTC are retained.