Government employees will be better off. They will be able to use 90% of their Accumulated Passage Benefits for purposes other than travel. However, a minimum balance of Rs 10,000 will have to be maintained in the employee’s account.
In the circular letter dated March 18, we underline: “Following consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development and the Pay Research Bureau, it has been decided that eligible public officers be allowed to cash up to 90% of their accumulated passage benefits for any other purpose other than travel and those mentioned at paragraph one above, provided that the balance standing to their credit is not less than Rs 10 000. The remaining 10% would be kept as the balance standing to their credit in the passage benefit account.
Thus, with what we can attribute to a lifting of the restrictions, they will be able to use it for any other project more important than the trip, that is, medical care, the purchase, construction or renovation of a property… the choice will be wide.
The Passage Benefit is available to all permanent civil servants and pensioners with a minimum salary of 25,525 rupees or with five years of service. The Passage Benefit is calculated at the rate of 5% of the gross annual salary, i.e. the basic salary plus compensation.
