SL Rules for Railway Employees
An employee of the government is given study leave in order to participate in a specific course of study relating to their work while also taking into account the fundamental requirements of public service. These courses will help them become better civil employees and more prepared to collaborate with other public servants. The government will gain from offering study leave since it will enable employees with such skills to serve the public in a more effective manner. A government employee is entitled to their regular income, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other benefits while on study leave. Additionally, Study Allowance may be provided for courses taken outside of India in accordance with the Rules.
Railway Board issues Clarification Order for Study Leave
The Railway Board under the Ministry of Railways issued an important clarification order on 29th December 2022 and the text of the order is reproduced and given them below for your ready reference.
RBE No. 171/2022
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No 2011/F(E)III/2(2)/3
New Delhi, Dated: 29.12.2022
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.,
DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Sub: Study Leave Rules – Clarification reg.
In terms of Rule 14 of the Study Leave Rules contained in Appendix -V of the Indian Railway Establishment Code (IREC) Vol-I(1985-Edition), if a Railway servant resigns or retires from service or otherwise quits service without returning to duty after a period of study leave or within a period of three years (eight years in the case of Railway Medical Service Officer who has been granted thirty-six months study leave under sub-rule (2) of rule (2)) after such return to duty, he shall be required to refund;
(i) the actual amount of leave salary, cost of fees, traveling and other expenses, if any, incurred by the Railways; and
(ii) the actual amount, if any, of the cost incurred by other agencies such as foreign Governments, Foundations, and Trusts in connection with the course of study, together with interest thereon at rates for the time being in force on Government loans, from the date of demand, from his resignation is accepted or permission, to retire is granted or his quitting service otherwise.
2. In this regard, references have been received from various Railways seeking the details of the “Government Loan”, the rate of interest of which is to be considered for charging the interest on the actual amount to be refunded by the Railway servant. Since DoP&T is the nodal Department on CCS(Leave) Rules, the matter was referred to them, who in turn asked M/o Railways to consult D/o Expenditure (M/o Finance).
3. After such due consultation, Board (MF & CRB) have considered the matter and decided as follows :
(i) The ‘Advances’ admissible to Government employees will be taken as ‘Government Loan’ as provided in Rule 14 of the Study Leave Rules contained in Appendix-V of IREC Vol I.
and
(ii) The highest rate of interest prevailing on a specific Advance at the relevant time will be taken as the ‘rate of interest’ for calculating the dues recoverable under Rule 14 of the Study Leave Rules.
sd/-
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board