Language Reward and Allowance (Para 8.9.39, 8.9.40) : Report of the Committee Allowances
7th pay commission report – Language Reward and Allowance (Para 8.9.39, 8.9.40)
Existing Provisions: This allowance is payable to MEA officers who have learnt optional foreign language when posted in the region where the language is main language or widely used. The present rate varies from ₹100 pm for “proficient” to ₹200 pm for “above proficient”.
Reasons mentioned by 7th CPC for recommending abolition: The amount of the allowance is meagre.
Demands:
I. National Council (Staff Side), JCM: This allowance should continue as it is granted for promoting Hindi Language, which is official language of the country.
II. Ministry of External Affairs: This allowance should be retained and the quantum of allowance be decided by MEA.
Analysis and Recommendations of the Committee:
The Committee is of the view that the rates of this allowance are meagre, more so when compared to other allowances such as Foreign Allowance paid to MEA officials when posted in Missions/ Posts abroad. The assertion of the JCM that this allowance is paid to promote Hindi language is not correct as this allowance is paid to learn optional foreign language.Therefore, the Committee recommends that the 7th CPC recommendation to abolish Language Reward and Allowance may be accepted.
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