Transport Allowance to Central Government staff are as per the suggestions of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
The government is providing one-time relaxation of the situation with regards to working out of alternative for admissibility of official auto or in lieu of that Transport Allowance at greater prices throughout COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, the guidelines are as per the Office Memorandum dated 07.07.2017 with regards to grant of Transport Allowance to Central Government staff wherein in Para 2 (iv) circumstances have been talked about for working out of alternative for admissibility of official auto or in lieu of that Transport Allowance at greater prices in respect of officers in Pay Level 14 and above.
These guidelines are a component of the implementation of the suggestions of the 7th Central Pay Commission relating to grant of Transport Allowance to Central Government staff.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the government had received a number of references looking for relaxation with regards to alter of alternative as some officers preferred their personal auto in spot of official auto and opted to draw Transport Allowance. After a alter in the situations, these officers want to revert back to the facility of an official auto.
In view of the peculiar situations arisen due to COVID-19 pandemic, it has been decided to let one-time relaxation for working out of alternative for availing official auto in respect of officers in Pay Level 14 and above. Such relaxation shall be permitted in respect of only these officers who changed their alternative throughout the period from 1st April 2020 to 31st December 2020 topic to the situation that they attended the workplace throughout the period.
Earlier in December 2020, the government had issued a clarification with regards to admissibility of Transport Allowance throughout nation-wide Lockdown from 23rd March to 20th April and additional up to 20th May 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, as throughout this period different staff could not attend their offices. It was clarified that:
i. Transport Allowance is granted to Central Government staff to compensate them for the price incurred on account of commuting among residence and workplace. The Central Government staff, who could not attend workplace for a complete calendar month throughout Lockdown period, are not eligible to draw Transport Allowance for that month as these staff had not incurred any expenditure for commuting workplace.
ii. The Central Government staff, who could not attend workplace and worked from property in a complete calendar month, are not eligible to draw Transport Allowance for that month as these staff had not incurred any expenditure for commuting workplace.