Admissibility of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation

Admissibility of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation - reg.

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

No.I/5(C)/Pt.I

Dated: 04/11/2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub : Admissibility of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation - reg.

Ref.: (i) NFIR's PNM item No.40/2012
(ii) NFIR's letter No. 1/5(c )/Part I dated 22/02/2016, 25/04/2016 & 01/08/2016
(iii) Railway Board’s Letter No.E(P&A)-II/2012/FE2/4 dated 31/10/2016.

With reference to reply received vide Board's letter dated 31/10/2016, the Federation desires to convey as follows :

(a) NFIR vide agenda item No.40/2012- last para, had demanded that condition mentioned in para 3 in Railway Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II-99/HRA-2 dated 16.03/2000 should be waived off or withdrawn.

(b) Federation also demanded that provision as mentioned in para 2 of the agenda item be made applicable to all categories of railway employees whether they belong to "Essential" or "other than Essential" categories.

It seems, the Railway Board have not examined the above issues with positive mind, taking ground reality into account with regard to availability of railway residential quarters, their condition for human occupation or otherwise. Due to total failure in maintenance of existing railway quarters on Zonal Railways, many quarters became totally outdated, unfit for occupation and overdue for demolition.

The main problem is that when the employee has vacated the quarters, he is denied HRA till the said quarter is physically occupied by another employee. This needs to be addressed.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR