We invite your kind attention to Staff Circular No. 101419 dated 01.01.2026 on Modifications under Master Guidelines on TE/DA Claims and Introduction of Auto-Credit Mechanism.

Since November 2024, we are consistently representing the practical difficulties, procedural hardships and anomalies faced by officers in TE/DA claims. After sustained follow-up and constructive negotiations, management has now accepted our representations and implemented long-pending, officer-friendly corrections in the guidelines.

Further, the introduction of auto-credit of TE/DA bills is a significant and welcome step towards paperless governance, faster settlement and ease of digitisation, benefiting all officers.

Officers are requested to go through the circular and annexures carefully. A brief ready reference of key positive modifications is given below:

Key Positive Modifications – Ready Reference

•   Own Vehicle Travel: Only RC copy + any one proof (toll/Fastag/petrol) required – simplified documentation.
•   NE / Hilly Area Air Travel: Direct flight to destination permitted if economical compared to Kolkata/nearest airport + train.
•   Residential Training / STC Programs: Officers commuting daily with approval now eligible for ¼ halting allowance (earlier nil).
•   Last-Minute Air Booking: Permitted on medical/official exigencies with justification and comparative fare chart.
•   Train Food Charges: Meal charges included in Rajdhani/Shatabdi tickets reimbursable as part of fare.
•   Boarding Pass Relaxation: Flown ticket accepted if boarding pass is unavailable.
•   Taxi Bills: GST mandatory only above ₹1000 (earlier ₹500), reducing compliance burden.
•   Hotel Sharing: Proportionate reimbursement allowed even when sharing with non-employees.
•   Diem Allowance: Officers staying with relatives/friends eligible for ⅓ diem allowance.
•   Local Conveyance: Airport/Railway station travel up to ₹500 (one way) allowed on declaration basis.

These changes will significantly ease compliance, improve fairness and ensure smoother TE/DA settlement for officers.

Regards

Sreenath Induchoodan
General Secretary
UBOAKS(AIBOC)