Earned Leave Rules for Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Government Employees

Earned Leave (EL) is a vital component of the leave entitlements for government employees, allowing them to take time off for personal or health reasons while ensuring a structured system for accumulating and utilizing this leave.

Authority and Eligibility

The framework governing Earned Leave is outlined in the AP Leave Rules of 1933, specifically in Rules 8-12, 17-18, and 20-22. Both temporary and permanent government employees are eligible for Earned Leave.

Procedure for Earning and Crediting Earned Leave

Regular Employees

1. Accumulation:
   • Employees earn EL for both duty days and leave periods.
   • They receive an advanced credit of 15 days in January and July.
   • The maximum earning is capped at 30 days per year.
   • For a complete month, 2.5 days are credited, while fractions of a month yield 0 days.
2. Deductions:
   • If an employee avails of Extra Ordinary Leave (EOL), 1/10th of the EOL period is deducted from their EL credit in the succeeding half-year, with a maximum reduction of 15 days (G.O.Ms.No.384, Fin., Dt.05.11.1977).
3. Maximum Accumulation:
   • Employees can accumulate a maximum of 300 days of EL, effective from 16-09-2005 (G.O.Ms.No.232, Fin. (FR.I) Dept, dated 16.09.2005).
4. Previous Limits for Permanent Employees:
   • Superior employees had a limit of 180 days from 01.06.1964 to 30.06.1983 and 240 days from 01.07.1983 to 15.09.2005.
   • Last-grade employees had the same limits during these periods.

Temporary Employees

1. Accumulation:
   • Temporary employees earn an advanced credit of 8 days in January and July.
   • For those appointed mid-year, the credit is 1 day for the first two completed months and 2 days for the third month.
   • Maximum accumulation is limited to 30 days.
2. Recasting:
   • The leave account should be recast after regularization of service.

Availment of Earned Leave

1. Duration:
   • Permanent superior employees can avail up to 180 days of EL at a time, subject to the available balance (G.O.Ms.No.153 Fin. (FR.I) Dept.dt.4-5-2010).
   • Permanent last grade employees can avail up to 120 days (G.O.Ms.No.329, Fin., Dt.17.12.1982; G.O.Ms.No.9, Fin., Dt.10.01.1983).
2. Combination with Other Leaves:
   • EL can be combined with other types of leave, including public holidays, optional holidays, and compensatory leave (Memo No.86595/1210/FR.I/7, Dt.29.05.1981).
3. Changes in Limits:
   • The previous limit of 180 days at a time when availing commuted leave in conjunction with EL has been removed (G.O.Ms.No.384, Fin., Dt.05.11.1977).

Leave Salary

During Earned Leave, employees receive full basic pay along with all allowances. House Rent Allowance (HRA) and City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) will be paid in full for up to six months (G.O.Ms.No.28, Fin. (FR.I), dt.09.03.11).

Surrender of Earned Leave

Introduced on 13-08-1969 (G.O.Ms.No.238 dt:13-8-69), the surrender of earned leave allows employees to convert their leave into a cash benefit.

Eligibility for Surrender

1. Permanent Employees:
   • 15 days for a 12-month gap.
   • 30 days for a 24-month gap based on the balance available.
   • If the balance exceeds 285 days as of June 30, the gap requirement is waived.
   • Surrendered leave will be sanctioned from the date of application (Memo No.47064/1164/FR.I/91, F&P, Dt.20.01.92).
2. Temporary Employees:
   • 15 days can be surrendered after a 24-month gap (G.O.Ms.No.221, F&P(FR.I), Dt.23.08.74; G.O.Ms.No.316, F&P(FR.I), Dt.25.11.74).

Validity and Leave Salary for Surrendered Leave

• Sanction Order Validity: Sanction orders for surrendered leave are valid for 90 days from the date of issue (Memo No.14423/715/FR.I/91, F&P, Dt.20.01.92).
• Leave Salary Calculation:
  • Surrendered days are considered for payment as 30 days per month, regardless of the claimed month (G.O.Ms.No.306, F&P(FWFR.I) Dept., Dt.08.11.1974).
  • Salary includes pay, other compensatory allowances, and HRA for those residing in government quarters, but conveyance allowance is not applicable.

Additional Provisions

1. Extension to Other Employees: These provisions extend to municipal employees, public health workers, and other relevant personnel.
2. Encashment of Earned Leave: Employees can encash their EL upon superannuation, death, voluntary retirement, or retirement on medical grounds, with the maximum encashment limit increased to 300 days effective from 16.09.2005 (G.O.Ms.No.27, F&P(FWFR.I), Dt.19.01.76; G.O.Ms.No.232, Fin. (FR.I) Dept, Dt.16.09.2005).
3. Disciplinary Proceedings: Encashment may be withheld for employees facing disciplinary proceedings until the final settlement.

Conclusion

By understanding these comprehensive guidelines on Earned Leave, government employees can effectively navigate their entitlements, ensuring they manage their time off while maintaining compliance with established regulations.