7th CPC - Cyle Allowance Of The Report Of The Committee

Report of the Committee Allowances : Cycle Allowance (Para 8.15.11) 7th Pay Commission

Cycle Allowance (Para 8.15.11)

Existing Provisions: It is paid where the duties attached to the post require extensive use of bicycle and the official concerned has to use and maintain his own cycle for official journeys. The existing rate is ₹90 per month.

Reasons mentioned by 7th CPC for recommending abolition: The amount of this allowance is meagre and the allowance itself is outdated.

Demands:

I. D/o Posts: This allowance is mainly paid to Postmen who cover long distances. Therefore, it should be retained and the existing rates may be doubled.

II. National Council (Staff Side), JCM: This allowance should continue.

Analysis and Recommendations of the Committee:

The Committee was apprised that in rural areas, postmen have to cover long distances. In the absence of public transport, cycle remains the preferred mode of communication in rural areas for postmen while delivering dak in a time bound manner. Even in urban areas having narrow lanes with congested access, cycles are preferred. In Ministry of Railways also, Trackmen are required to walk daily for long distances upto 8 km in their beat. The Committee is of the view that reliance on cycles remains a functional necessity for delivery of dak in many areas and for duties e.g. Trackmen and, therefore, recommends that this allowance may be retained for Department of Posts and Railways as also other Ministries/ Departments where there is functional justification for any particular category of staff for its continuation with the approval of Department of Expenditure.

The rate of Cycle Allowance may be doubled from ₹ 90 per month to ₹ 180 per month. This will benefit approximately 22,200 employees. The additional annual financial implication is estimated to be ₹ 1.88 crore.