17 TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE AND DAILY ALLOWANCE RULES For the purpose of these rules, the officers and employees of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. shall be classified into the following categories: 1. Classification* (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Those drawing monthly pay of Rs. 14150/- and above. Those drawing monthly pay of Rs. 11050/- and above but less than Rs. 14150/Those drawing monthly pay of Rs. 6000/- and above but less than Rs. 11050/Those drawing monthly pay of Rs. 4250/- and above but less than Rs. 6000/- (v) 2. Those drawing monthly pay less than Rs.4250/(The pay range has been modified as per revised pay scales vide OO No.21 dated 7.12.2004) Mileage Allowance (a) (b) A mileage allowance is an allowance calculated on the distance travelled and given to meet the cost of a particular journey. For the purpose of calculating mileage allowance, the journey between the two places should be performed by the shortest and the cheapest of the two or more practicable routes. 3. Mode of Journey (a) 2 The employees of the Federation in different categories are entitled to travel by various modes according to the following scale: Substituted vide O.O. No. 16, dated 18.07.1994. S.No. Category Pay range(Rs.) Entitlement for mode of travel By air. By Air with prior approval of MD. 1. 2. I I Addl.MD Executive Director 3. II. Manager and above Drawing 14700 and above (AC-II tier including Rajdhani)/AC Bus by road. 4. II Dy. Manager to AM-II drawing 14699/- to 11375/- 5. II ( AM-II to Sr. Asstt.) drawing 11374/- to 6050/- (AC-III tier including Rajdhani)/AC Bus by road. (AC-III tier other than Rajdhani AC Bus by road) 6. II All employees drawing pay less than 6050/- Ordinary III Tier sleeper)/ (Deluxe or non-AC Bus by Road) Ref.OO No.04 dt.20.5.2005. 2. Further mileage allowance for road journey by own car while on tour/LTC admissible to AMD, ED and GM has been increased from Rs. 2.45 per kilometer to Rs. 4.00 per kilometer. 3. The above modifications shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 30.05.2002. (Ref. O.O. No. 04, dated 24.06.2002) (b) If employees of the IV and V categories are required to travel under urgent and emergent circumstances in the interest of the Federation, by a train which does not provide the class of accommodation to which they are normally entitled, they may be allowed to travel by the next higher class (other than air-conditioned) provided the competent authority certifies that it was necessary for such employees to undertake journey by that train. (c) Notwithstanding anything contained in any of the rules herein incorporated, the Managing Director shall have power to allow any employee to travel by a class higher than the one to which the said employee is entitled, under special circumstances. * Modified w.e.f. 27.03.1991, vide O.O. No. 13, dated 25.04.1991. # Modified vide O.O. No. 03, dated 18.05.1995 & applicable w.e.f. 17.04.1995. ** Added w.e.f. 09.01.1984 vide HO/FA/20-52/83-84 dated 07.03.1984. [] 4. (d) In all cases, an employee shall be eligible for a single fare only. (e) Return journey tickets should invariably be purchased where available. (f) The TA bill should be submitted in the form ‘A’ annexed hereto. Ref. HO/FA/20-52/89-90 dated 11.05.1990. @ Added vide O.O. No. 05, dated 12.06.95 and effective from same date. **Those officers and staff who are entitled to travel by 1st class and above by rail may travel by air-conditioned deluxe coach by road and claim actual fare subject to the conditions that: (i) the journey is undertaken by State Road Transport Buses or coaches of Public Under-takings; (ii) evidence in the form the bus ticket is produced. Journey by Sea Officers and employees in (a) (b) Category I & II Category III, IV & V Upper Class Lower Class 5. Mileage Allowance : Journey by Road (A) Mileage allowance for the employees of the Federation is to be calculated on the basis of the mode of transport used for performing a journey by road. (a) In one’s own car: or by hiring full taxi with the prior approval of the Managing Director Rs. 2.45* per km. (b) By Scooter: Rs. 0.80* *(c) The mileage allowance admissible to the employees for performing journeys by State Transport Buses etc., shall be paid according to the actual fare, in addition to an incidental allowance of 25# paise per km. However, during the journey period no daily allowance would be admissible. Similarly, for journeys undertaken on tour by rail, an employee will be entitled to reimbursement of fare on actual basis as per his entitlement, in addition to an incidental allowance of 25# paise per km. If the journey undertaken is by Rajdhani/ Shatabdi@ Express, the incidental charges admissible would be reduced to 50% of the above rates. The above is applicable in case of Leave Travel Concession and transfer cases also. (d) While on tour, from residence to airport/railway station/bus stand to place of stay/Branch or Regional Office. [Actual fare by taxi or scooter as per entitlement under the rules is admissible subject to a ceiling of Rs. 250/-# in case of local journey undertaken in metropolitan cities and Rs. 100/in all other cities/ towns. If local conveyance in such cases exceeds the prescribed amount, it will be entertained for reimbursement in case same is supported by cash receipt.] At place where auto-rickshow (three wheelers) or cycle-rickshaws, are not available employees who are not entitled, to travel by taxi may be allowed reimbursement of the taxi charges subject to the following conditions: (i) Local train services, where available, should be utilised to the maximum possible extent and distance which remains to be covered to the working point from residence may be covered by autorickshaw or taxi whichever is available. (ii) Where such journeys are made by taxi by the employees who are not 3 prescribed working hours on a particular day. entitled to use such mode of transport under the normal rules, the local conveyance claims should be certified by the concerned Branch/Regional Managers. Where a taxi is engaged by a touring official in Branch/sub-offices/HO the following procedure may be followed : (i) (ii) (iii) Note: (B) Where a vehicle made available by the State Mktg. Fedn. or some other agency is utilised, the cost of petrol etc. consumed for the journey performed may be absorbed by the sub-office/Branch/ Regional/Head Office. Where a full taxi is engaged to perform the journey, the taxi charges should be borne by the touring official. The touring official shall claim taxi charges in the TA bill at the rate prescribed at para 5 of the rules. Officers of the rank of Assistant Managers and above are entitled to travel on tour by road by taking a single seat in a taxi on payment of prescribed fare to places like Shilong, Nowgong, Kharupe-tia, Managal, Tejpur etc. In this case they will not be entitled to claim mileage allowance at the rate mentioned under Rule 5. On return journey from the place of visit the mileage shall be admissible from the place of stay to the railway station/airport. When an employee who is supplied means of conveyance without charge, returns to his HQ on the same day or thereafter, daily allowance will be calculated as follows: *(1) If the absence from HQ is less than 6 hours But in the case of employees eligible to get OTA as per OTA Rules, he/she shall be entitled to overtime allowance subject to a ceiling of ½ DA provided the employee concerned was on duty for more than 4 Nil (2) If the absence from HQ exceeds six hours, but does not exceed twelve hours. Half Daily Allowance (3) If the absence from HQ exceed twelve hour Full Daily Allowance * Modified w.e.f. 19.10.1983 vide O.O. No. 22, dated 14.11.1983. ** Inserted vide O.O. No. 20, dated 22.02.1989. (C) When an employee is provided with free conveyance for part of the journey only, the DA may be calculated as follows: (i) (ii) 6. If the absence from HQ does not exceed twelve hour Half DA. If the absence from HQ exceeds twelve hours Full DA. Journey by Air (w.e.f. 26.12.1982) (a) For the purpose of this rule ‘travel by air’ means journey performed by the plane of the public air transport companies regularly flying but does not include journeys performed by private aeroplanes. #(b) Officers in the rank of AMD and above will only be permitted to travel by Air; and (c) Officers in the rank of GMs and below shall undertake journeys by Air only with prior permission of MD, that too as a special case. (d) BMs/RMs and officers upto the level of EDs shall not travel by Air/First Class AC Rail without the express prior approval of MD. Competent Authority has desired that only in exceptional cases request with sufficient reasons or urgency be made by phone/fax invariably before travelling by Air. (e) The touring officer will be entitled to one air-fare plus one fifty thereon subject to a maximum or Rs. 100/-## on a single day irrespective of the number of flights undertaken on that day for onward journeys. The return journey to HO though performed on the same day shall be treated as a separate journey for the purpose of this rule. Return journey ticket should invariably where available. be purchased 5. (Ref O.O. No. 09, dated 15.01.1999 and O.O. No. 21, dated 11.10.1999) 6. (Text of orders issued by MD on 29.09.2004) In recent months, I have found a lot of Officers are 7. moving by Air without prior permission. In this connection please refer to clause 3 of Office Order No. 8. HO/AD/2/41/2002-03 dated 6th January’ 2003, which clearly states that admissibility of air journey stands withdrawn for 9. all Officers. As such, all Officers are requested to resort to Between 11,375/- & 13,149/(Category-II) Between 7975/- & 11,374/(Category-III) Between 6050/- & 7974/(Category-III) Between 4300/- & 6049/(Category-IV) Less Than 4300/(Category-IV) a) b) 90.00 78.75 480 384 a) 82.50 b) 75.00 400 320 a) b) 75.00 67.50 400 320 a) b) 67.50 60.00 320 240 320 240 a) b) 56.25 45.00 air travel only when no alternative is possible. Further, low fare schemes are now available with most of the Airlines and whenever air travel has to be resorted to these low S. N o. fare schemes should be taken advantage of. 7. (Rs.) Daily Allowance and Lodging Facilities (a) (b) S. N o. Pay Range Daily allowance is an allowance granted to an employee on tour for halt away from Headquarters with a view to enable him to cover the ordi-nary charges which he is required to incur on such tour. Rates for lodging facilities and daily allowance admissible to various categories of employees shall be as per the following schedule: - Pay Range DA Rates (if lodging charges claimed) (Rs.) AMDs/EDs (Rs.) a) b) 64 a) b) 1. AMDs/EDs 2. 17,250/- & above (excluding AMDs & EDs (Category-I) Between 14700/- & 17249/-(CategoryII) Between 13150/- & 14699/-(CategoryII) Between 11,375/- & 13,149/- (Category-II) Between 7975/- & 11,374/- (CategoryIII) Between 6050/- & 7974/-(Category-III) 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Upper limits for lodging Facility (including the 60%enhancement notified vide OO No.03 8. Between 4300/- & 6049/-(Category-IV) dt.18.5.95) A class Other 9. Less Than 4300/- (Category-IV) Cities cities (Rs.) (Rs.) DA Rates (if requirement of lodging at the touring station does not occur) (Rs.) a) 150.00 b) 140.00 a) 150.00 b) 140.00 a) 140.00 b)125.00 a) 130.00 b) 115.00 a)120.00 b)105.00 a) 110.00 b) 100.00 a)100.00 b) 90.00 a) 90.00 b)80.00 a) 75.00 b) 60.00 Ref.OO No.04 dt.20.5.2005.& OO No.11 dated 27.7.2005. 1. 2. 3. 4. 17,250/400 & above (excluding AMDs & EDs (Category-I) Between 14700/- & 17249/(Category-II) Between 13150/- & 14699/(Category-II) 112.50 105.00 112.50 105.00 800 640 640 480 # Modified vide O.O. No. 03, dated 18.05.1995 and applicable w.e.f. 17.05.1995. ## Vide O.O. No. 09, dated 15.01.1999. @ Vide O.O. No. 02, dated 18.05.1995. a) b) 105.00 93.75 640 480 a) b) 97.50 86.25 480 384 The lodging charge for various categories of employees indicated above have been raised by 60 % over and above the existing rates as notified vide Office Order No. 12, dated 24.04.1991. {(a) - means those station which have been classified ‘A’ as per Government of India Classification. 5 (b) - means all other stations.} 2. 3. 4. 5. **The classification of ‘A’ Class cities as contained in Government of India, Ministry of Finance Office Memorandum No. 2(2) 93-E. II(B) dated 14.05.1993 is hereby notified for the purpose of drawal of daily allowance by the employees on tour as under: 1. Hyderabad 2. Delhi 3. Ahmedabad 4. Bangalore 5. Navi Mumbai (Andhra Pradesh)) (Delhi) (Gujarat) (Karnataka) Pune 7. Chennai 8. Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) 9. Kolkata (West Bengal) 10. Nagpur (Maharashtra) 11. Lucknow # Jaipur Note: An employee while on tour shall have the following options in regard to admissibility of daily allowance: (i) 7. 8. 9. S.No. (Maharashtra) (Tamil Nadu) 1. 6 280 280 235 280 230 240 200 240 190 190 150 190 140 In this regard, it is clarified that the revised rates of DA as at (ii) above are applicable only where lodging requirements occur but are not availed of by the touring employees. (Ref. O.O. No. 07, dated 07.08.1996 and O.O. No. 04, dated 02.05.1997) (iii) Halt of less than 8 hours at the place of stay will be treated as half day and halt of 8 hours and more at the place of stay will be treated as one day. (iv) For journeys outside the Indian Union the DA and such other actual expenses as are likely to be incurred on local business travels etc. in the foreign country, shall be paid at such rates as are fixed by the Chairman from time to time depending on the country of visit, subject to allotment of foreign exchange by the Reserve Bank for the purpose. (v) No ‘Daily Allowance’ is admissible to an employee who does not travel on any day more than a redius of eight kilometers or beyond municipal limits of the Headquarters whichever is farther. (vi) Daily allowance is admissible for halt on a ‘Holiday’ occurring during a tour. (vii) An employee is not entitled to any daily allowance during leave on tour. (Rajasthan) Claim full daily allowance as per rates given below in which case no charges for lodging will be admissible: AMDs/EDs 375 * Vide O.O. No. 07, dated 07.08.1996 and O.O. No. 04, dated 02.05.1997. ** Modified vide O.O. No. 40, dated 22.12.1993. (Uttar Pradesh) Claim lodging expenses as per entitlement and 75% of the admissible daily allowance, as per rates mentioned above. Pay Range(Rs.) 300 Ref OO No.04 dated 20.5.05. OR *(ii) 375 (Maharashtra) 6. 12. 6. 15450/- & above (excluding AMDs & EDs) (Category-I) Between 13500/- & 15449/- (Category-II) Between 12600/- & 13499/- (Category-II) Between 10525/- & 12599/-(Category-III) Between 7425/- & 10524/-(Category-III) Between 5350/- & 7424/-(Category-III) Between 3970/- & 5349/-(Category-IV) Less Than 3969/(Category-IV) Rate of Daily Allowance(Rs.) A Class Other Cities Cities 450 375 *(viii) An employee will normally be given 48 hours time to proceed on tour. This will be subject to exigencies of work. The decision of the Branch Manager in this regard will be final. *(ix) Full DA will be admissible to the employees during the period of tour. However, tour continuously for more than 30 days should be avoided, wherever possible. 8. Local Journeys on Tour Actual taxi, tonga or rickshaw fare paid by touring officers while on official tour in a particular town shall be admissible on production of schedule of trips undertaken by him in the city along with a certificate that the amounts mentioned in the schedule were actually paid by him and that he did not use the car or vehicle of any institution for such trips (Form ‘B’). Where an employee travels in a mode to which he is not ordinarily entitled the TA claim relating to local conveyance of each day should be verified by the supervisory officer regularly on the following day. 9. TA on Transfer The terms and conditions regarding grant of TA on transfer of the Federation’s employees shall be the same as are applicable to the employees of the Central Government. The Board of Directors in their meeting held on 28.08.1992 have approved the payment of lump-sum transfer grant to the employees of the Federation, in lieu of disturbance allowance, at the following rates: - .No. Pay range (Rs.) Lump-sum transfer Grant admissible(Rs.) 1. 15,450/- & above. 4000/- 2. 11,375/- & above but less than 15,450. 3000/- 3. Less than Rs.11,375/-. 1500/- Ref OO No.04 dt.20.5.2005. A. Personal Effects Rule 10 of Travelling/Daily Allowance Rules of the Federation stipulates that the terms and conditions regarding grant of TA on transfer of the Federation’s employees shall be the same as are applicable to the employees of the Central Government except in respect of disturbance allowance admissible on transfer. It is, therefore, clarified that in terms of rule 10 of TA Rules, the maximum entitlements of employees of different grades for transportation of personal effects by goods train, on transfer from old to new headquarters in the Federation shall be the same as indicated in S.R. 116 of the Government of India. The present maximum limit in S.R. 116 is as under: # Substituted vide O.O. No. 12, dated 22.12.1993. * Substituted w.e.f. 25.11.1986 vide O.O. No. 30. ** Substituted w.e.f. 28.08.1992 vide O.O. No. 14 dated 20.10.1992, and subsequently w.e.f. 11.07.1994 vide O.O. No. 12 dated 11.07.1994.***Substituted vide O.O. No. HO/FA/20-52/82-83 dated 15.04.1982; O.O. No. 10 dated 25.05.1989 and O.O. No. 1 dated 06.04.1992. S.No. Category Revised Pay range(Rs.) Maximum limit of personal effects To be carried by goods train 6000 Kg. 1. I & II 11,375/– and above. 2. III Between 6,050/- & 11,374/-. 3000 Kg. 3. IV Between 4,300/- & 6,049/- 1599 Kg. 4. V Less than 4,300/-. 1000 Kg. Ref.OO No.04 dt.20.5,.2005 (iii) B. Carriage of personal effects by modes of conveyance other than goods train as also from residence to railway stations/bus stand at the old headquarters and from railway stations/bus stand to the residence at the new headquarters will also be regulated in accordance with the provisions of S.R. 116 ibid. To & Fro single fare on transfer in addition to transfer benefits In accordance with the existing rules, transfer TA is admissible to the employees and his/her family only for the journey performed from the old Headquarters to the new Headquarters. It has been observed that an employee on transfer initially goes to the new place of posting alone. After fixing up his residence there, he comes back to his old 7 station of posting to shift his family and personal effects to the new place. With a view to mitigate the difficulties and to make good the financial loss being suffered by the employees in such cases it has been decided to extend the facility of to and fro single fare to the employees from the new station to old place of posting, by the entitled class of travel. This facility will be in addition to the normal transfer benefits admissible to an employee and will have to availed within six months of the date of issue of transfer orders. the employees on transfer is payable only at the time of transportation of household goods from old station to new headquarters. (Ref. O.O. No. 59, dated 27.04.1987) In furtherance to office order No. 59, dated 27.04.1987, it is hereby notified for information that packing allowance is granted at flat rates and is in the nature of lump sum transfer grant. The grant of this allowance is not related to the quantity of personal effects transported. This order shall be effective for transfers ordered on or after 30.07.1986. (Ref. O.O. No. 08, dated 25.08.1986) C. Pay Range(Rs.) 3. 4. 5. 6. D. Admissibility of Transfer benefits on request transfer Packing Allowance Rules 10 of the travelling allowance rules of NAFED provide that the terms and conditions regarding payment of TA on transfer to the employees of the Federation shall be the same as applicable to the employees of the Central Government except the disturbance Allowance. In terms of the Rule 10 of the TA Rules of the Federation, the Executive Committee in their meeting held on 25th November, 1986 has decided to grant packing allowance to the employees on transfer in accordance with the provision of Office Memo. No. 19018/1/86/E/V dated 03.01.1986 of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, as under: S.No. 1. 2. (Ref. O.O. No. 15, dated 23.12.1988) 15450/- & above 10525/- & above but less than 15450/7975/- & above but less than 10525/5350/- & above but less than 7975/4,300/- & above but less than 5,350/-. Below 4,300/-. Rate of Packing Allowance. 1500/1200/900/600/450/- 300/- In accordance with the practice being followed in the Federation, transfer benefits are not admissible to the employees in cases of request transfers. However, in such cases, representations have often been received, requesting for grant of transfer benefits, as admissible in the case of normal transfers. Keeping in view the financial difficulties being faced by the employees owing to inadmissibility of transfer benefits on request transfers, the matter has been examined and it has been decided that employees whose request transfers are acceded to after three years of stay outside Delhi/his Home state during the last 10 years, shall be entitled to all transfer benefits. (Ref. O.O. No. 57, dated 23.03.1994) 10. Casual/ad-hoc employees working on daily wages/consolidated pay will be governed by the following rates: Travelling Allowance (i) (ii) Actual bus fare if travelled bus. IInd class railway fare by the shortest route, if travelled by train. Daily Allowance Ref OO No.04 dated 20.5.05 (Ref. O.O. No. 31, dated 16.01.1987, O.O. No. 13, dated 20.06.1990 and O.O. No. dated 18.07.1994.) In furtherance to office order No. 31, dated 16.01.1987, it is thereby notified for information that packing allowance admissible to 8 The Board of Directors in their meeting held on 26.8.2005 has decided to revise the rates of Daily Allowance payable to the casual employees of the Federation from existing level to Rs.100/- per day while on tour irrespective of category of employee or class of city. The above rates would be applicable w.e.f. 26.8.2005 and the cases already settled shall not be reopened. Ref.OO No.20 dt.30.9.2005 4. # The expenses on TA/DA for the representatives under these rules would be paid on actual visits against the approved visit programme, excluding his local visits. 11. TA/DA Allowances to staff deployed in Marketing of Fertilizer & Agricultural Inputs. The Executive Committee in its meeting held on 21.12.2000 have approved TA/DA and rental allowances to staff deputed to reside and work from places other than Branch Headquarters for marketing of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs, viz; seeds and further revised them on 25.05.2001. The revised rates are as under: i) DA Rs. 75/- per day (Maximum Rs. 1050/- p.m.) (Actual visits against approved tour programme) ii) Maintenance allowance for carrying Rs. 750/out official work at place of duty. P.m. iii) a) Travelling expenses of Rs. 1000/- p.m. (max.) (Actual Bus fare against approved tour programme) for covering one or two districts. b) Travelling expenses of Rs. 1200/- p.m. (max.) (actual Bus fare against approved tour programme) for covering three or more districts. iv) Night Halt: As per existing TA/DA Rules of Nafed. (Not exceeding 3 days in a month). 91 to 100% 100% The above order is deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 25.05.2001. (Ref. O.O. No. 10, dated 28.06.2001) 12. Competent Authority (i) The Managing Director shall act as a self-controlling officer; and (ii) He shall also act as ‘Controlling Officer’ in respect of other employees of the Federation. 13. As regards matters not covered by these rules, the Government of India rules and instructions issued from time to time on the subject shall apply. 14. In case of doubt regarding interpretation of these rules the decision of the Managing Director shall be final. 15. On receipt of journey particulars in Form ‘A’ from the touring officer, TA Bill shall be prepared in the Accounts Branch in the proforma prescribed. # Ref. O.O. No. 10, dated 28.06.2001. The above DA, which is linked with performance of the Field representative deployed at a designated location for the fertilizer business is payable in accordance with the following table, subject to the minimum achievement of 70% of the total target fixed for him particular area, failing which they would not be entitled to receive the full DA: Sl. No. % of target achieved % of DA to be paid Recovery of franchise commission 1. Below 70% 75% 100% 2. 70 to 80% 80% 3. 81 to 90% 90% 9 IMPORTANT DECISIONS A. Approval of Tour Programme In continuation of this office order of even number dated 05.05.1975, the following guidelines are laid down with regards to regularising the TA Bills in respect of officials whose claim requires the approval of Managing Director, for future compliance: (i) Whenever tour is proposed to be undertaken a tentative tour programme should be sent to HO. (ii) After completion of the tour, the final programme alongwith a brief visit note should be sent to HO for the approval of the Competent Authority. (iii) The TA claims when sent to Accounts Division for settlement should be accompanied by the approved ‘Tour programme’. (Ref. HO/AD/5/5/77-78 dated 01.11.1977) B. Travel by Higher Class (i) Vide Circular No. HO/FA/12/80-81 dated 25.11.1980, it was advised to the Branches/Divisional Heads in the HO that all cases where an official proposes to perform or have performed journeys by class higher than the one to which he is entitled to, will be dealt with by the Finance & Accounts Division and accordingly such cases should be referred to this Division in the HO with full justification to process the same timely. It has been brought to notice that the above procedure is not being followed by few of the officers and they are getting the tour programme approved directly from the Competent Authority without giving proper justification and getting the same examined from this Division. Adoption of such a practice in most of the cases delays settlement of TA claims. It is, therefore, advised that when an officer proposes to perform or has performed journeys by class higher than the one to which he is entitled, final tour programme may not be submitted to the Competent Authority directly but the same should be forwarded to Finance & Accounts Division alongwith the complete justification who will process the case and put 10 up the same for approval of the Competent Authority. In case the above procedure is not followed. TA claims of the concerned officers will be settled according to TA rules of the Federation. (Ref. HO/FA/12/81-82) dated 04.11.1981) (ii) Reference is invited to office order No. 21 dated 11.10.1999 indicating that approval of the Competent Authority is required to be obtained in advance by an officer for travel by Air. However, instances have come to notice where officers have travelled by air without obtaining prior approval/telephonic approval of the Competent Authority, which has been viewed seriously by the Competent Authority. It is, therefore, once again reiterated that air travel may be undertaken by the officers only in very unavoidable circumstances after the express/specific approval of Managing Director before undertaking air journey. Officers of the level of Executive Director and above shall also obtain prior approval from Managing Director before air journey for official tour. This order supersedes all earlier orders issued in this regard. (Ref. O.O. No. 09, dated 18.07.2000) (C) Economy on Local Conveyance while on Tour (a) It has been observed that officers while on tour are incurring heavy expenditure on local conveyance, under Rule 9 of the TA Rules of the Federation. Normally daily allowance is supposed to meet the expenditure incurred by touring officers on local journeys. However, in order to avoid hardship to officers, it has been decided that hereafter, the expenditure on local journeys undertaken at the station of tour by an officer, will be admissible in the following manner. (i) Conveyance charges for journey between Railway Station/ Airport to the place of stay/ first point of business and vice versa. (ii) The touring officers should plan their movement in such a manner that the distance covered is reduced to the minimum. (iii) The officers should proceed from one point of business to a second point from where they can proceed to a third one and so on, without returning to the place of stay, on a particular day. (iv) (v) (vi) The journey between (i) place of stay and the first point of business and (ii) the last point of business and place of stay on any day will not be paid for as daily allowance is supposed to take care of this part of the journey. A touring officer may undertake local journeys in the interest of the Federation at the station of his tour accord-ing to his entitlement in the local conveyance rules of the Federation. In case he travels by a mode of transport lower than his entitlement, he should claim accordingly. Expenditure incurred by a touring officer on conveyance on official local journeys from one place of business to the other only may be claimed by him in the annexed revised proforma (From B) prescribed under Rule ‘9’ of the TA rules of the Federation, giving brief of the discussions held or business transacted at each point. (Ref. HO/AD/5/5/73-74 dated 25.04.1975) (b) Instances have come to notice where touring officers have been charging amounts in their TA bills for making frequent visits from the place of their stay (hotel etc.) at the halting station to the places of business in that city on the same day, under Rule 9 of the TA rules of the Federation, which is not correct. 2. Rule 9 of TA Rules provide undertaking of local trips by touring officers to places of business in the city of halt which means that once the touring officer leaves his place, he is expected to complete the official business of the day and return to the place of his stay, and not that he should leave the hotel or the place of stay to one place of business and return, and then go to another place and return, and so on. 3. It is hereby ordered that only one trip from the place of stay to the place of business and back during one day, will hereafter be allowed to the touring officers at the halting station. This order immediate effect. comes into force with (Ref. F-5/7/68 Admn./22 dated 07.07.70) D. Claim for Local Conveyance while on Tour 1. According to rule 9 of TA Rules of the Federation actual taxi/tonga/ rickshaw fare paid by the touring officer while on official tour in a particular town is admissible on production of the schedule to trip undertaken by him in the city along with a certificate that the amounts mentioned in the schedule were actually paid by him and that he did not use the car or vehicle of any institution for such trips. 2. It has been observed that in a number of cases, the TA bills submitted by the employees showed that reimbursement of large amounts had been claimed on account of local conveyance for journeys undertaken at procurement centres etc. by taxi, scooter etc. by which they were not entitled to travel. In particular, it was noticed that several official had visited docks, godowns and other places engaging taxis though the places of visit are connected with local trains. 3. In future, when an employee is deputed to attend to any urgent important work where he is to claim by a mode of conveyance which he is not entitled, the TA claim relating to local conveyance of each day should be verified by the supervisory officer concerned on the following day. For this purpose a record should be kept by each supervisory officer of the local journeys made by the employee and also the mode of transport allowed to be used. In the absence of such verification certificates, the local conveyance bills will not be entertained. 4. Further, under rule 5 of the TA rules, actual fare by taxi or scooter, as entitled under the rules is admissible for road journeys performed from residence to airport/station and back, both at the headquarters and at the place 11 of visit. It has been reported that auto-rickshaw are not available at certain cities like Mumbai, Kolkata etc. and, therefore, officers and staff of the Federation are visiting such places on tour/transfer by taxi from airport/railway station to residence and back. In such cases where the employees are not entitled to travel by taxi, expost facto approval of the Managing Director is being obtained at the time of settlement of TA bills. For this purpose, it has been decided that in future at all places where auto-rickshaws are not available, employees who are not entitled to travel by taxi may be allowed reimbursement of the taxi fare subject to the following conditions: (i) (ii) E. (Ref. HO/FA/12(1)/79-80 dated 24.5.1980) F. TA Bill to be Sent by Registered Post 1. Instance have come to notice where loss of TA bills of officials are reported either in transit or in office. To overcome this problem it has been decided that TA bills and other important documents sent by one office to another office of the Federation should invariably be sent under Registered Post. Local train services, where available, should be utilised to the maximum possible extent and distance which remains to be covered to the working point/residence may be covered by auto-rickshaw or taxi, whichever is available. 2. On receipt of such TA bills and other important documents, the concerned receipt despatch clerk shall make an entry in the receipt register, and pass on the same to the concerned officers/staff and obtain his signature. Where such journeys are made by taxi by the employees who are not entitled to use such mode of transport under the normal rules, the local conveyance claims should be certified by the concerned Branch Incharge. (Ref. HO/AD/G-39(26)/79-80 dated 23.05.1980) Production of Railway Money Receipt for Rail Journey 1. The Railway authorities have announced the discontinuance of money receipt while issuing rail tickets and notifications have been issued by railway authorities in various newspapers on 19th March 1980. For settlement of the claims, railway authorities have advised that touring officers may submit the details of rail ticket, No., date of journey, train No., coach No. and reservation No. etc. in the form of following certificate: I……….. certify that I have purchased Rail Ticket No. ………… for sector ………. for Rs. ……….. , Coach No./Class ………….. Reservation No. …………. on ………… (Touring Officer) 2. The railway authorities have indicated that this notification is valid till the end of July 1980 and is likely to become permanent if found to work well. As such, the above order will be 12 followed till receipt of further communication from the railway authorities in this regard. This order immediate effect. G. comes into force with Economy in Travelling It has been observed that some of the officers of the Federation are proceeding on tour without prior approval of the Competent Authority. This causes dislocation of work of the Federation. It has, therefore, been decided that in future Branch Managers will proceed on tour only after their tour programme is approved by the Regional Managers. The Regional Managers can undertake tour with the prior approval of the Managing Director. In regard to officers posted in HO they should proceed on tour after having their tour programmes approved by the Competent Authority. The powers regarding approval of tour programmes and passing of TA bills have already been laid down in HO order no. HO/AD/8/275/79-80 dated 1st may, 1980. The journey should be undertaken strictly in accordance with the entitlement of the officer concerned. If journeys are to be undertaken by a higher class than the entitlement in the exigencies of office work, it has to be approved by the Managing Director. These instructions should be noted for strict compliance. It has also been observed that tendency amongst officers to go on tour by official car or hired taxi is on the increase. The cost of petrol, lubricants and maintenance of vehicle has considerably gone up in the recent past. In addition, drivers of official vehicles accompanying the officers are to be paid TA/DA. Therefore, the total cost of tour by car, in certain cases, exceeds even cost of air journey. In view of the above, it has been decided that officers should avoid travelling by car/taxi. TA Bills shall not be passed until and unless proper and sufficient justification for so undertaking the journey is given. (ii) Submission of TA Bills – Time Limit and Adjustment/Recovery of TA Advance 1. It has been brought to the notice that officers/employees are not submitting TA bills for the tour being undertaken within the stipulated period of one month for settlement of TA bill and recovery of the advances. In this context, the following officer orders had been issued: (i) HO/AD/5/5/73-74 dated 05.06.1974. (ii) HO/AC/12919)/76-77 dated 28.08.1976 (iii) HO/AC/129190/76-77 dated 04.04.1977. (Ref. HO/AD/8/280/79-80 dated 27.06.1980) (Text of orders issued by MD on 29.09.2004) In recent months, I have found a lot of Officers are moving by Air without prior permission. In this connection please refer to clause 3 of Office Order No. HO/AD/2/41/2002-03 dated 6th January’ 2003, which clearly states that admissibility of air journey stands withdrawn for all Officers. As such, all Officers are requested to resort to air travel only when no alternative is possible. Further, low fare schemes are now available with most of the Airlines and whenever air travel has to be resorted to these low fare schemes should be taken advantage of. H. Submission of TA Bills – Time Limit thereof 1. Instance have come to notice where the advance taken by the employees are not got adjusted/settled within a reasonable period of the date of taking of such advances. In a number of cases TA bills are being submitted after considerable lapse of time of the completion of journeys by the employees. It has been decided that, in future, if a TA bill is not submitted within one month of the completion of the tour, the same will not be entertained. Advance, if any, taken for the tour will be recovered in the manner stipulated in the office order No. HO/AC/12/(19)/76-77 dated 04.04.1977. (Ref. HO/AC/12(19)/76-77 dated 04.04.1977) 2. In spite of the above orders and subsequent reminders from time to time, no improvement in submitting the TA bills as well as adjustment of TA advances has been seen. In number of cases, TA bills are being submitted by the touring officers after considerable lapse of time of the completion of the journey. This result in non-adjustment of the advances and the same has also been commented upon adversely by the Statutory Auditors. 3. It has, therefore, been decided that if the TA bills are not submitted by the touring officer within one month of the completion of the tour in future, TA bill may not be entertained. Advances taken by the touring officer/employees may be recovered in the manner indicated in the Office order No. HO/AC/12(19)/76-77 dated 28.08.1976. Further TA advances may not be allowed in case the earlier TA advances are not adjusted against the TA bill of the concerned employee. 4. It will be the responsibility of the AO/ AAO/Accountant/Incharge of the Branch Office to ensure that no deviation of the above instructions takes place in future. (Ref. HO/AC/12(19)/78-79 dated 06.03.1979) I. Settlement of TA Bill of Legal Adviser for his outstation Visits 1. It has been brought to notice that Divisional Heads/Officers are referring the cases to Legal Adviser for visiting outstation in connection with the legal case of the Federation and no reference to this effect is being made to 13 F&A Division. Resultantly delay occurs in settlement of bills of the Legal Adviser. 2. The following procedure, for this purpose, may be implemented: (i) Divisional Heads will submit the proposal for visit of the Legal Adviser or his associates for attending legal matters outside Delhi to the competent authority in triplicate. One copy after the proposal is approved, may be sent to FA Division for releasing advance to Legal Advisor as and when required. (ii) On receipt of the bills from the Legal Advisor, the concerned Divisional Head should examine and verify the bills and thereafter the same may be forwarded along with a copy of the approved proposal to FA Division for settlement of the TA claims of legal Adviser. The 3rd copy of the approved proposal may be retained by the concerned Divisional Head for reference purposes, in future. (Ref. HO/FA/2/81-82 dated 05.12.1981) J. Tour Reports It has been decided by the MD that in future all tour reports by Divisional Heads/Section Chiefs/Regional Managers be sent to Coordination Division in quadruplicate immediately and in any case not later than one week of the completion of the respective tours. (Ref.HO/Coord/10/TR-Cir/81-82 dated 17.12.81) K. Payment of transfer travelling allowance to Departmental Candidates appointed against Direct Quota. According to the Recruitment & Promotion Rules, a number of posts are to be filled up by direct recruitment. For such posts normally an advertisement is issued and the interested persons are asked to apply for the same. Some of the departmental candidates also send their applications. It is observed that a few of such candidates are selected for appointment. On selection they are posted to different stations. A question has been raised by a number of branch offices as to how TA/DA, transfer benefits etc. should be paid to these employees. The matter has been examined and it has been decided that such employees shall be eligible to draw all benefits on account of transfer TA/DA etc. as is admissible to an 14 employee on routine transfer. In future, therefore, such cases need not be referred to head office and may be decided by the concerned branches if the claims come under their purview. (Ref. O.O. No. 31, dated 12.02.1985) L. Admissibility of transfer Travelling Allowance to Family member from places other than old headquarters. Under existing rules of the Federation, TA/DA is not admissible to a person for initially joining a post in the Federation. A case has come to notice where an employee who initially joined the Federation at a particular station had * Reference O.O. No. 38, dated 04.02.1987. not taken his family alongwith him to that station. Later on when he was transferred to another place, he requested that he may be permitted to take his family from his native place to his new headquarters directly and he be allowed to claim transfer TA for the family also. So far as the family is concerned, it amounts to grant of transfer TA for the first time. The point whether transfer TA should be allowed or not to the family in such a case has been examined and after careful consideration, it has been decided that transfer TA in respect of family in such cases may be granted from a station other than the old headquarters to the new headquarters or from the old head-quarters to the new headquarter whichever is less. This order immediate effect. comes into force with (Ref. O.O. No. 34, dated 20.03.1985) M. Service Charges for Railway Booking Admissible As per the existing rules of the Federation, the Service charges on Railway booking arranged through a travel agent are not admissible to the employees. The matter has been examined and in order to avoid financial loss to the touring employees, it has been decided that the service charges payable to an authorised travel agency for arranging railway booking shall, hereinafter, be reimbursed to the employees on production of cash memo from the travel agency. The amount reimbursable, shall be as per actuals but not exceeding Rs. 25/-* per ticket. This facility shall be admissible only for official tours. (Ref. O.O. No. 48, dated 25.06.1985) N. State Buses viz. Express, Deluxe, Ordinary, what will be the class of entitlement in case of employees under Category III and IV. vel by Ordinary State Buses/Private Buses. But, incase such Buses are not available, an employee may travel with the permission of the Branch Manager/Regional Manager/ Divisional Head by Express/Deluxe Buses. iii. Whether Incidental Allowance is payable in case the journeys are performed by office vehicle or any other free vehicle. This may be regulated in terms of office order No. 78, dated 02.06.1996. TA/DA Rules – clarification reg. The TA/DA Rules of the Federation were revised vide office order no. 47 and 49 both dated 22.01.1986. According to the modified rules, the rate of mileage allowance and daily allowance of the employees were revised w.e.f. 16.12.1985. A number of doubts in regard to interpretation of the above office orders were raised by various branches. These have been examined and the following clarifications are issued to enable the branches to settle the TA bills of the concerned employees : Point of Doubt 1 1. Cochin Branch: Whether half/full DA is admissible under the revised orders for tours where due to frequent jouneys and short period of stay at number of places (excluding journey time), the total halt comes to 5 ¼ hours. Although the employee concerned was away from his headquarter for mor than 12 hours. 2. Ahmedabad Branch Clarification 2 Whether revised rates of Daily/Alloawance are applicable to casual/ad hoc employees working on daily wages/consolidated salary. 3. Kolkata Branch No. i. Whether Office Order No. 47, dated 22.01.1986 is applicable only to travel by State Transport Buses or other modes like Taxi, Ordinary Buses other than State Transport. The rates of Mileage allowance for the journeys performed by Taxi or Scooters as laid down in Rule 5(A) (a) (b) of TA/DA Rules have not been revised. Therefore, the rates of Mileage Allowance modified vide Office Order No. 47 ibid are applicable only to such journeys performed by State Road Transport or other Buses. ii. Since there are different categories of Since the total stay at the touring stations comes to 5 ¼ hours, only half DA is admissible as DA is not payable during journey time for which Incidental Allowance at the rate of 6 paise per km. is paid. All Regional/Branch Managers are requested to keep the above clarification in mind while settling the TA/DA bills of the employees working under them. (Ref. O.O. No. 81, dated 26.06.1996) O. In partial modification of office order No. 81, dated 26.06.1986, it has been decided that it will not longer be necessary to produce bus tickets by the employees for the purpose of reimbursement, in respect of the journeys performed on tour by ordinary buses. Production of bus ticket will, however, be compulsory when the journey is undertaken by higher mode of transportation like Express/Deluxe/Air-conditioned buses. This order takes effect from 30.07.1986. (Ref. O.O. No. 07, dated 25.08.1986) P. Payment of Local Conveyance to LCT Candidates It is notified for the information of all that such of the outstation employees as are invited to take up the Limited Competitive Test (LCT) shall be entitled to local conveyance as per their admissibility from the residence/office to the Railway/Bus-station/Airport in their Head Quarters and from Rly. Station/Bus Station/ Airport to the place of stay or venue of the Test as the case may be, and vice-versa. The admissibility of local conveyance to employees who attended the LCT on 28.07.1991 from outstation may also be dealt with in terms on this order. (Ref. O.O. No. 50, dated 10.10.1991) Q. Entitlement of students/trainees on summer placement with NAFED for Travelling/Daily Allowance Ordinarily, employees should tra- 15 It has been decided that the students/ trainees from different training institutions who are taken for summer placement by NAFED will be entitled to TA/DA as per the entitlement of an Assistant Manager of NAFED, if they are required to undertake tours as part of the projects assigned to them by the Federation. duty and daily allowance will be admissible for such halts at the rates prescribed for ordinary localities. Accordingly, Rules 5 (c) of travelling allowance & daily allowance rules of the Federation shall stand modified to the above extent w.e.f. 14.08.1993. (Ref. O.O. No. 15, dated 02.09.1993) (Ref. O.O. No. 06, dated 18.06.1993) S. TA/DA for Management Trainees It has been decided that the Management Trainees appointed in the Federation will henceforth be entitled to the benefits of travelling allowance daily allowance, remuneration for attending office on Holidays and local conveyance at par with the Assistant Managers of the Federation. (Ref. O.O. No. 05, dated 10.05.1994) S. Stay arrangement for employees who visit Mumbai on official tour It has been observed that as and when any official of the Federation goes on tour to Mumbai, he has to face a lot of difficulty in finding accommodation there. In order to solve this problem, Mumbai Branch was asked to find out a suitable accommodation on actual occupancy basis. Mumbai Branch has now made arrangements with some specified Hotels/Guest Houses, at Mumbai. The officials who visit on tour to Mumbai may give their requisition to Branch Manager, Mumbai for reservation of accommodation. The employees utilising said accommodation during tour at Mumbai shall be paid DA @ 50% of the amount admissible to them under the TA/DA Rules of the Federation. (Ref. O.O. No. 15, dated 13.11.1984, issued from file NO. HO/AD/G-14(f)/84-85) T. Payment of Daily allowance during journey period for enforced halts The Board of Directors in their meeting held on 14.09.1993 have decided that in the case of enforced halts occurring enroute on journey on tour, transfer, temporary transfer and in connection with training, necessitated by breakdown of communication due to blockage of roads/railway tracks on account of floods, rains, heavy snowfall, landslide and accidents or delayed sailing of ships or awaiting for air lift, the period of such enforced halt will be treated as 16 U. Some branches have raised certain doubts about various provisions of the travelling allowance & daily allowance rules of the Federation. The same have been examined and the position is clarified as under: Sl.No. 1. 2. Point of Doubt Whether an employee who is deputed on tour to a place, which happens to be his place of stay also, is entitled for travelling allowance? Whether taxes/levies charged in the hotel bills are to be allowed if the billed amount exceeds the entitlement of the employees prescribed in the rules. Clarification Even if the place where the employee is being deputed on tour, happens to be place of his stay, he has to incur travelling expenses. Since these expenses are being incurred for an official purpose the employees will be entitled for travelling allowance. Taxes/levies etc. are not be included in entitlement of room rent. As such to be allowed extra. These clarifications may kindly be kept in view while settling the TA/DA claims of the employees. (Ref. O.O. No. 41, dated 01.01.1994) V. Grant of Transfer incidentals According to Rule 9 of Travelling Allowance and Daily Allowance Rules, the terms and conditions regarding grant of TA on transfer of the Federation’s employees shall be the same as are applicable the employees of the Central Government. However, it is observed that the employees of the Federation are being paid incidental allowance at the prescribed rates for journeys undertaken in connection with both tour as well as transfer. This position is not in conformity with the Government Rules. According to Supplementary Rule 116 (III) relating to payment of transfer incidentals to the employees of the Government of India, the Government servant, in addition to the fare for himself and members of the family, draw one daily allowance for himself and each member of family for every completed day occupied in the journey from residence reckoned from midnight to midnight. For the period less than 24 hours on any day, the daily allowance is admissible as follows: Up to 6 hours Nil Exceeding 6 hours But not exceeding 12 hours 70% Exceeding 12 hours Full The children below 12 years are allowed daily allowance at half of the rates for adults. Therefore, the above instructions may kindly be kept in view while settling TA bills of the employees for journeys on transfer. However, past cases will not be reopened. (Ref. O.O. No. 16, dated 22.11.1995) 17 (Annexure Form A) NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE MARKETING FEDERATION OF INDIA LTD. TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE BILL Name ……………………………………… Headquarters …………………. Month ………….. Designation ………………………………. Pay ……………………………. Voucher No. ….. PARTICULARS OF JOURNEY 7 HALTS ROAD MILEAGE Departure Arrival Station Date Hour Station Date 1 2 3 4 5 Mode of journey i.e. by road, air, sea, rail Means of conveyance Actual fare paid DAILY ALLOWANCE No. Rate of kms. Amount No. Rate of Days Amount Total of each line 15 Rs. P 16 Purpose of Journey Hour 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 Grand Total Signature of the Travelling Officer 18 REMARKS AMOUNT ABSTRACT OF CHARGES Rs. 1. Actual fare i.e. by Air/Rail/Road ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 2. Mileage Allowance for …………….. kms. P. Certified that I have unUndertaken travel on tour ……………………………. (name of the class) or the class to which I am entitled and have incurred the expenditure stated in the TA bill. at the rate of ……….. per km. …………... 3. Incidental expenses for ……………….. km, at the rate of ………. per km. …………… 4. Daily Allowance for ………………. Days. At the rate of …… per day for …. days ….. 5. Others …………………………………………… Deduct Advance Received vide voucher No, ……. Dated ….. Other items as per details: ………………………………………….. …………………………………Total deduction Net Claim Rupees ………………………………………….. Debitable to TA ………………………………… Cr. TA Advance ………………………………… Passed for payment of Rs. ………… P………. (Rupees …………………………………………) Accounts Asstt. A.O. Signature of the Travelling Officer Designation M(F&A) Controlling Officer 19 Annexure (Form B) SCHEDULE OF LOCAL JOURNEYS UNDERTAKING IN A CITY WHILE ON TOUR Name of the Officer ………………………………………………………………………………………… Designation ………………………………………………………………………………………………… City Date From To Purpose of local Journey Mode of Conveyance i.e. Taxi, Rickshaw, Tonga, Bus, etc. Fare Paid Certified that the amounts mentioned in the above schedule were actually paid by me and that I did not use any conveyance of any institution for these trips. Signature ………………… 20