Chandigarh Administration Approves Service Allowances for Deputation Staff from Punjab and Haryana
In a significant move, the Chandigarh UT Administration has officially approved the grant of key service-related allowances for employees from Punjab and Haryana serving on deputation. This decision, effective retrospectively from April 1, 2022, brings long-awaited clarity and financial relief to nearly 1,000 affected staff members.
Substantial Arrears and Monthly Increases Expected
According to officials, the approval will result in substantial arrears for eligible employees, with individual payouts anticipated to reach up to Rs 5 lakh in some cases. These arrears encompass a range of pending benefits, including:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- Enhanced House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Travelling Allowance
- Children Education Allowance
- Benefits from fresh pay fixation and revision of basic pay under the Seventh Pay Commission
In addition to the arrears, employees are likely to receive a monthly increase of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, significantly boosting their take-home pay and overall compensation.
Parity with Regular UT Employees Ensured
An official order issued by the Department of Personnel states that deputationists will now be entitled to allowances admissible to regular employees of the Chandigarh Administration holding equivalent posts. This decision aligns with the consolidated guidelines on deputation and foreign service issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on March 28, 2024.
The Administration has clarified that allowances not applicable to regular UT employees of similar rank will not be payable. However, all benefits permitted under the DoPT guidelines will be extended to deputationists, ensuring parity in service conditions between regular UT staff and officers drawn from Punjab, Haryana, and other parent cadres.
Implementation and Employee Response
The order also references service rules in Punjab and Haryana, which already stipulate that employees on deputation are entitled to allowances applicable in the borrowing organisation. These include house rent allowance, transport allowance, joining time and pay, travelling and transfer allowances, children education allowance, and leave travel concession (LTC).
Issued with the concurrence of the Finance Department and approval of the competent authority, the clarification directs all departments and offices under the Chandigarh Administration to implement the instructions immediately. This ensures that eligible employees receive their dues without delay.
Welcoming the move, Ranbir Jhorar, president of the Punjab and Haryana Employees Welfare Association, highlighted that the issue had remained unresolved since 2022. He stated that this decision will boost employee morale and trust in the administration, addressing long-standing grievances.
Administrative Authority Reinforced
Separately, the administration reiterated that final authority over recruitment rules, amendments to service rules, and deputation matters now rests with the UT Administrator. As per a notification issued by the Department of Personnel last year, all proposals related to framing or amending recruitment and service rules for Group A, B, and C posts, as well as appointments and relieving of deputationists, will require the administrator's approval.
This development marks a crucial step in streamlining administrative processes and ensuring fair treatment for deputation staff, fostering a more equitable work environment in Chandigarh.
