AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 92 DATED 24.12.2009

AIBOC has issued its circular No. 92 dated 24.12.2009 on the need for review of classification of agglomeration. We are reproducing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO:92                     DATE: 24.12.09

TO ALL AFFILIATES/MEMBERS: 

CLASSIFICATION OF AGGLOMERATION: NEED FOR REVIEW

          We enclose a copy of our letter No. 1452/252/09 dated 23^rd December, 2009, addressed to IBA on the captioned issue, contents of which are self explicit.

2.          Further developments in the matter will be informed to you. 

With greetings,

Sd/-

(G.D. NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY

                                                 TEXT

          We invite your kind attention to the communication issued by you as regards classification of various centres as per the Census 2001 and redefining the agglomeration of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and other Metro Centres.  The CCA and HRA payable at all these centres have also been revised accordingly. This redefining of the agglomeration has resulted in some anomalies in the payment of CCA and HRA etc. 

2.       While in some centres there has been increase in the allowances, the other Centres which have been excluded from the earlier Metro Agglomeration of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkatta etc. have been deprived of the higher quantum of CCA, HRA etc. as applicable to the Metrol centre hitherto. 

3.       In many Banks, the House Rent Reimbursement is based on area classification.  Earlier, Mumbai Agglomeration, for the purpose of House Rent Reimbursement (HRR) was defined by many banks, which comprised all the centres in the contiguous area of the Agglomeration.  As a consequence the contiguous areas were being paid HRA as applicable to the Mumbai city.  This was applicable in case of Advance rent also, which was as high as the rate prevailing in Mumbai.  Immediately after redefining the agglomeration of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata etc. the Banks have withdrawn the facilities to the contiguous centres. 

4.       We wish to bring to your kind notice the fact that it is very difficult to get a reasonable accommodation at lower rates of HRR and Advance rent at the contiguous centres.  It may please be noted that the Officers working in Mumbai have been able to get accommodation only beyond Panvel, Virar, Bhiwandi etc.  But because of the revised classification by the IBA, these areas have been kept out of the Mumbai agglomeration and hence, the officers are eligible for a lesser quantum of HRR and Advance Rent.  This has put the Officers to considerable hardship. 

5.          Keeping the foregoing in the background, we would like to suggest that the contiguous areas of the Metro Agglomeration may please be put on par with the Metro Centre for the purpose of HRR, Advance Rent and CCA.  We request you to take a practical and pragmatic view of the issue and review the classification of various Metro Agglomerations and provide relief to the Officers who are put to substantial financial burden as the HRR and advance rent for the contiguous centres is very meager. 

6.       This issue may please be put in the agenda for discussion with us in one of the ensuing meetings for discussing the residual issues as part of the 9^th Bipartite negotiations. 

Thanking,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(G.D. NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY