24 - Business Services (Class 2) - Com. T.Ganesan

 One Day, One Minute, One Rule – 211
Grant of HRA for Short-Term Local Arrangements

What are the specific regulations regarding the grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) to officials officiating in local arrangements for posts that have rent-free accommodation attached?

According to Order No. 24/3/76/PAP dated 20.08.1979, the Department of Posts has addressed cases where officials are posted to officiate in positions that carry the benefit of rent-free accommodation. The order clarifies that in situations where rent-free accommodation is available but the official does not occupy it due to the short duration of the posting, HRA may still be granted. This is intended to regulate short-term vacancies involving local arrangements where the official's residence remains unchanged.
The President has decided that in such instances, the House Rent Allowance admissible to a government servant not entitled to rent-free accommodation may be granted for a maximum period of 90 days. These instructions took effect from the date of issue, August 20, 1979, and specifically noted that past cases decided under previous rules did not need to be reopened. This decision was finalized in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and the P.T. Finance department.