Joining Time Rules: Understanding Rules, 1979

Joining Time Rules: Understanding Rules, 1979

Description: The Central Civil Services (Joining Time) Rules, 1979, govern the time granted to government servants to join a new post after a transfer. These rules apply to all central government employees, outlining eligibility, conditions, and the calculation of joining time.

What are the Joining Time Rules, 1979?

The Joining Time Rules are a set of guidelines introduced by the Central Government to regulate the time allowed for government employees to report to their new posts after a transfer. Enacted in 1979, these rules cover various scenarios for employees moving between government posts, and they apply to all central government employees, with certain exclusions.

Who Do the Joining Time Rules Apply To?

The Joining Time Rules are applicable to the following categories of employees:

• Central Government employees (excluding those working in railways, armed forces, or those on a contract basis).
• Employees on permanent positions in the central government.

However, the rules do not apply to:

• Railway employees
• Personnel of the armed forces
• Employees engaged on a contract basis
• Government servants paid from contingency funds

What is Joining Time?

Joining Time refers to the period a government servant is granted to join their new post or to travel to a station where they have been posted. The rules ensure that employees have enough time to settle in at their new post, whether it’s at the same station or a different one.

Key Features of the Joining Time Rules

Here are the key features of the Joining Time granted under the 1979 rules:

1. Eligibility for Joining Time: Joining time is allowed when an employee is transferred for public interest, either within the same station or to a new station.
2. Temporary Transfers: No joining time is granted for temporary transfers lasting up to 180 days. However, if the transfer is within the same station, one day of joining time may be permitted.
3. Combination with Leave: Joining time can be combined with any type of leave, except casual leave.
4. Holidays and Joining Time: Holidays cannot precede the joining time. However, if holidays follow the joining time, they are considered as part of the joining time.
5. Pay During Joining Time: The pay remains the same as before relinquishing charge of the previous post.
6. Commencement of Joining Time: The joining time begins the day after the government servant relinquishes charge of the old post.
7. Unused Joining Time: If a government servant does not use the full joining time, the unused days are credited to their leave account as earned leave (up to a maximum of 300 days).

Joining Time Calculation

The number of days for Joining Time depends on the distance between the old and new headquarters. Here’s how it’s calculated:

• 1000 km or less: 10 days (12 days if traveling by road)
• 1000-2000 km: 12 days (15 days if traveling by road)
• Above 2000 km: 15 days, but 12 days if traveling by air. If traveling by road, the joining time is 15 days.

What Happens If a Government Servant Overstays Their Joining Time?

If a government servant exceeds the allotted joining time, they face the following penalties:

• No pay or leave salary for the overstayed period.
• The period of overstay is considered “dies non” (not counted for pension or increment).
• Willful absence can be treated as misconduct and lead to disciplinary action under applicable rules.

Can Joining Time Be Extended?

Yes, joining time can be extended in specific situations:

1. Extension by Head of Department: Joining time can be extended up to 30 days by the head of the department.
2. Extension Beyond 30 Days: If required, the Government of India may approve extensions beyond 30 days. This may be necessary when:
   • The employee faced difficulties in using ordinary modes of travel despite due diligence.
   • Public convenience or savings in public expenditure warrant the extension.
   • The employee missed a scheduled steamer or fell sick during travel.

Conditions for Availing Joining Time

To be eligible for joining time, a government servant must meet one of the following conditions:

• Joining a new post (whether in the same station or another station).
• Returning from leave (except casual leave) and reporting to a new post.
• Transfers under surplus staff redeployment schemes.
• Reappointment after discharge due to establishment reduction, as long as the employee had received their new appointment order while still holding the previous post.
• Domiciled employees of the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep, when posted to the mainland or other territories.

Key Takeaways

• Joining Time provides employees sufficient time to move to their new post, factoring in travel time and other logistical requirements.
• The time allowed for joining is based on the distance between the old and new headquarters, and can vary depending on travel methods.
• Failure to comply with joining time limits can lead to penalties, including loss of pay, increments, and disciplinary action.
• Extensions to joining time are possible in specific cases, such as travel difficulties or illness.

Joining time rules Conclusion

The Joining Time Rules, 1979, serve as a crucial guideline for government employees, ensuring they have adequate time to relocate and assume duties at their new posts after a transfer. Understanding the eligibility, conditions, and penalties associated with joining time is essential for every government servant to avoid violations and ensure smooth transitions during transfers.

By adhering to the rules, employees can effectively manage the time required for joining new posts, benefiting both themselves and the organization.

Questions and Answers about Joining Time Rules

Q1: What are the Central Civil Services (Joining Time) Rules, 1979?
A1: These rules govern the time allowed for government servants to join a new post after a transfer. They apply to all Central Government employees but exclude railway employees, armed forces personnel, contract employees, and those paid from contingencies.

Q2: What is meant by “Joining Time”?
A2: Joining Time refers to the period allowed for a government servant to join a new post or travel to their new station after a transfer.

Q3: What conditions must be met for a government servant to avail of Joining Time?
A3: Joining Time can be availed when:

1. Joining a new post at the same or a new station.
2. Returning from any leave (excluding casual leave).
3. Surplus staff transferred under redeployment schemes.
4. Discharged staff reappointed in another government office, provided they received appointment orders while still in the old post.
5. Domiciled employees of Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep, when posted to the mainland in public interest.

Q4: How is Joining Time calculated based on distance?
A4: The admissible days of Joining Time are calculated as follows:

• 1000 km or less: 10 days (12 days if traveling by road)
• 1000-2000 km: 12 days (15 days if traveling by road)
• Above 2000 km: 15 days (12 days if by air, 15 days if by road)

Q5: What happens if a government servant overstays their Joining Time?
A5: If a government servant overstays their Joining Time:

1. They receive no pay or leave salary for the overstay period.
2. The overstay is treated as “dies non,” not counting towards pension or increment.
3. Willful absence may be considered misbehavior and could result in disciplinary action.

Q6: Can Joining Time be combined with leave? If so, under what conditions?
A6: Yes, Joining Time can be combined with any kind of leave except for casual leave. Holidays cannot be prefixed to Joining Time, but if they follow, the Joining Time is extended to cover those holidays.

Q7: Under what circumstances can Joining Time be extended beyond the prescribed limits?
A7: Joining Time can be extended up to a maximum of 30 days by the Head of Departments and beyond 30 days by the Government of India in cases where:

1. The government servant faced difficulties using ordinary travel methods despite due diligence.
2. The extension is deemed necessary for public convenience or saving public expenditure.
3. The official missed a steamer or fell sick during travel through no fault of their own.

Q8: How does the commencement of Joining Time work?
A8: Joining Time begins from the date of relinquishing charge of the old post. If the charge is handed over in the forenoon, it starts the same day. If handed over in the afternoon, it starts from the next day.

Q9: What happens to the remaining Joining Time if a government servant joins their new post early?
A9: If a government servant joins their new post without taking the full Joining Time, the unused time will be credited to their leave account as earned leave, subject to a ceiling of 300 days.

Q10: Are there any exceptions to the applicability of the Joining Time Rules?
A10: Yes, the rules do not apply to railway employees, armed forces personnel, contract workers, and government servants paid from contingencies.

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