“The amount of DA to be taken into account for calculation of gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave will be, Employees retiring during the period of 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2020 will get 21% of basic pay, retiring during the period of 01.07.2020 to 31.12.2020 will get 24% of basic pay and from 01.01.2021 to 30.06.2021 get 28% of basic pay”
K Koushal
In a major decision, the central government has enhanced the rate of Dearness Allowance to calculate gratuity and cash payment to the Central Government employees retired during the period from January, 2020 to June, 2021 in lieu of Leave.
As per communication (copy in possession of The Typewriter), the additional secretary to the government of India referring to O.M. No.1/1/2020-E.II(B) dated 23.04.2020, read with O.M. No.1/1/2020-E.II(B) dated 20.07.2021, in regard to payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) during the period from 01.01.2020 up to 30.06.2021 and to say that in terms thereof while the rate of DA during the said period shall remain at 17% of basic pay, the same has been enhanced to 28% of basic pay subsuming additional installments arising on 01.01.2020 (4%), 01.07.2020 (3%) and 01.01.2021(4%) payable w.e.f. 01.07.2021.
“As per the existing provisions contained in Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1972, DA on the date of retirement or death is reckoned as emoluments for the purpose of calculation of gratuity,” reads the communication, adding that also, as per the existing provisions contained in CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, pay admissible on the date of retirement plus DA on that are reckoned for the purpose of calculation of cash payment in lieu of leave.
In view of the provisions of the aforesaid orders of the Ministry dated 23.04.2020 and 20.07.2021, calculation of gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave in respect of Central Government employees who retired on or after 01.01.2020 and up to 30.06.2021 are required to be made based on the rate of DA at 17% of basic pay.
“Keeping in view that gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave are one-time retirement benefits admissible to employees on retirement and employees who retired during the period from 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2021 have been allowed lesser amount than what would have been calculable but for the aforesaid orders of this Ministry dated 23.04.2020 and 20.07.2021, the matter has been considered sympathetically with a view to allowing the same to such employees,” read the order, adding that accordingly, the President is pleased to decide that in respect of Central Government employees who retired on or after 01.01.2020 and up to 30.06.2021, the amount of DA to be taken into account for calculation of gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave will be, Employees retiring during the period of 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2020 will get 21% of basic pay, retiring during the period of 01.07.2020 to 31.12.2020 will get 24% of basic pay and from 01.01.2021 to 30.06.2021 get 28% of basic pay.
All other conditions as stipulated in CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 and the orders of Department of Pension & PW vide O.M. No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B dated 26.08.2016 in respect of employees borne on National Pension System (NPS) and CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, shall continue to be applicable while calculating gratuity and cash payment in lieu of leave respectively.
In their application to the persons belonging to India Audit and Accounts Department, these orders are issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
