Study Leave is granted to Government employees in order for them to participate in a specialized course of study relating to their work while taking into account the vital needs of public service. These studies will improve their competencies as civil servants and prepare them to collaborate with other members of the public sector. Granting Study Leave benefits the government since it permits government employees with such talents to deliver better service. During Study Leave, a government employee is entitled to their regular income, Dearness Allowance, and House Rent Allowance. Furthermore, according to the Rules, Study Allowance may be provided for courses done outside of India.
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