When a central government employee is transferred from one office to another, they need some time to travel, shift their belongings, arrange accommodation, and join the new post. This period is called Joining Time (JT). In this article, we will have a look at all the details of the Joining Time facility provided to central government staff.
The Government has laid down detailed rules regarding when joining time is allowed, how many days can be granted, what salary is paid during this period, and how it affects leave and increments. Let’s understand these rules.
What is Joining Time?
Joining Time is the period allowed to a government employee to join a new post after being transferred from one location to another. During this period, the employee is treated as being on duty and receives salary as per the rules. For example, If an employee is transferred from Delhi to Lucknow, then he gets a joining time to shift his residence from Delhi to Lucknow and settle in Lucknow.
When is Joining Time Allowed?
Joining Time is admissible in the following situations:
1. Transfer in Public Interest
When an employee is transferred in public interest to a new post, either at the same station or another station, joining time is provided to the employee.
2. Appointment Through Competitive Examination
Joining time is also available to permanent, temporary, and certain State Government employees who are appointed to a Central Government post through a competitive examination or interview, provided their previous service is counted for all purposes under the Central Government.
3. Redeployment of Surplus Staff
Employees declared surplus and transferred to another post under a redeployment scheme are entitled to joining time.
4. Appointment After Reduction of Staff
If an employee loses a post because of reduction in establishment and is appointed to another office, joining time can be granted. If there is a break between discharge and appointment, the break can also be treated as joining time, subject to certain conditions. The break should not exceed 30 days and the employee should have completed at least three years of continuous service.
5. Leave from Remote Areas
Once in a calendar year, an employee proceeding on leave from a remote locality or to a remote locality can be granted joining time.
6. Return from Leave in Remote Areas
Similarly, once in a calendar year, joining time can be granted when returning from leave involving a remote locality. This means that if an employee is posted at a remote location, then he/she gets joining leave when returning from leave.
7. Special Provision for Island Territories
Employees posted in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep can receive joining time once in a calendar year when proceeding to their home town in another island and returning from there.
When Joining Time is Not Allowed
Joining time is generally not admissible for a temporary transfer. In such cases, only the actual travel time is allowed, similar to an official tour.
How Much Joining Time is Allowed?
Transfer Within the Same Station
If the transfer is within the same station and no change of residence is involved, one day of joining time is allowed.
For this purpose, the same station means the area within the same municipality, corporation, cantonment, or contiguous suburban area.
Transfer to Another Station
If the transfer involves shifting residence from one station to another, joining time depends on the distance between the old and new headquarters.
| Distance Between Old and New Headquarters | Joining Time Allowed |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 km | 10 days |
| More than 1,000 km and up to 2,000 km | 12 days |
| More than 2,000 km | 15 days |
Additional Time for Road Travel
If the transfer requires continuous travel by road for more than 200 km, additional joining time may be allowed:
| Distance | Joining Time |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 km | 12 days |
| 1,000 km to 2,000 km | 15 days |
| More than 2,000 km | 15 days |
For employees travelling by air, the maximum joining time admissible is generally 12 days.
Extra Joining Time for Remote Areas
Additional joining time can be granted for employees posted in remote areas. Employees transferred to or from the North-Eastern Region, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Ladakh are entitled to two additional days over and above the normal joining time calculated on the basis of distance.
Distance Calculation
The distance is calculated on the basis of the actual distance travelled and not on any weighted railway distance.
Holidays During Joining Time
If holidays fall during the joining time period, those holidays are included and the joining time is automatically extended to cover them. However, holidays cannot be prefixed to joining time.
From Which Place is Joining Time Calculated?
Joining time is calculated from the old headquarters in cases such as:
- When transfer orders are received while the employee is away from headquarters.
- When charge of the old post is handed over at a place other than headquarters.
- When headquarters are changed while on tour.
- When a temporary transfer is later converted into a permanent transfer.
Can Joining Time Be Extended?
Yes. Joining time can be extended. Heads of Departments can grant extension up to 30 days. Beyond 30 days, approval may be given by the Government of India based on the circumstances of the case. The total joining time should broadly correspond to the actual travel time plus a reasonable period for preparation and shifting.
What Happens if Joining Time is Not Fully Used?
If an employee does not utilize the full joining time available, the unutilized portion can be credited to the employee’s Earned Leave (EL) account as per the applicable leave rules.
Can Joining Time Be Combined with Leave?
Yes. Joining time can be combined with:
- Earned Leave
- Half Pay Leave
- Commuted Leave
- Any other kind of leave
- Vacation
However, it cannot be combined with Casual Leave.
What If Transfer Orders Change During Transit?
Sometimes an employee is already travelling to a new station when revised transfer orders are issued directing them to another place. In such cases, the employee becomes eligible for fresh joining time in addition to the joining time already availed. The fresh joining time is calculated from the place where the revised orders are received.
Salary During Joining Time
Joining time is treated as duty and employees get full salary. The employee receives:
- Full pay drawn before leaving the old post.
- Dearness Allowance (DA).
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) applicable to the old headquarters.
However, the following allowances are not admissible during joining time:
- Permanent Travelling Allowance
- Conveyance Allowance
Does Joining Time Count for Annual Increment?
Yes. Joining time counts as service for annual increment. The period is treated as duty and is counted while calculating eligibility for future increments. If an increment becomes due during joining time, the employee will receive the higher pay only after joining the new post. However, the joining time period itself will still count towards future increments.
Transfer on Own Request
Normally, joining time is not admissible when an employee seeks transfer on their own request. In such cases, the employee may use regular leave to cover the period between leaving the old post and joining the new post. If holidays fall between the relief date and joining date, those holidays can be availed without taking leave.
But there is an important exception. If an employee is posted to a station of choice after completing the prescribed full tenure, joining time is admissible.
What Happens If a Transfer is Cancelled?
Sometimes a transfer order is cancelled after the employee has handed over charge of the old post but before taking charge of the new post. In such cases, the period between handing over charge and returning to the old post is treated as joining time.
