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Railway Leave Rules: Leave on Half Average Pay (LHAP) for Railway Servants.

Leave on Half Average Pay (LHAP) is a pivotal leave type for railway servants, allowing them to take time off while earning half of their average pay. LHAP ensures that railway employees can manage time off without major financial drawbacks. The eligibility and accrual of LHAP days depend on service length and position. Governed by specific rules, LHAP maintains fairness and provides financial support during extended leaves, thereby fostering a committed and healthy workforce.

What is LHAP?

Leave on Half Average Pay (LHAP) is a type of leave available to Railway servants, allowing them to take time off while receiving half their average pay. This leave is governed by specific rules and regulations to ensure fair and consistent application across the Railway service.

Credit of LHAP

1. Initial Credit:

At the Start of Service:
- Railway servants are credited with LHAP at the rate of 5/3 days for each completed calendar month of service in the half-year during which they are appointed.
Subsequent Credits:
- From the subsequent half-year, LHAP is credited in advance on January 1st and July 1st each year. Each installment is 10 days.

2. During Service:

Regular Credit:
- LHAP is credited in two installments per year: January 1st and July 1st, with each installment amounting to 10 days.

3. At Retirement or Resignation:

Credit Calculation:
- LHAP is credited at a rate of 5/3 days per completed calendar month up to the date of retirement or resignation. This ensures that the servant receives a proportional amount of LHAP based on their service duration.

4. In Cases of Removal, Dismissal, or Death:

Credit Calculation:
- If a Railway servant is removed, dismissed, or dies, LHAP is credited at the rate of 5/3 days per completed calendar month up to the end of the month preceding the event. This ensures that the credit is aligned with the service duration up to the point of removal or death.

Reductions and Rounding

1. Reduction for ‘Dies-Non’:

Calculation:
- If a period of absence is treated as ‘dies-non’ (unapproved absence), the LHAP credit for the following half-year is reduced by 1/18th of the ‘dies-non’ period. The maximum reduction allowed is 10 days.

2. Rounding Off:

Completed Months:
- If a Railway servant’s service period exceeds 15 days in a month, the month may be rounded up to the next higher month for credit purposes.
Fractional Days:
- Any fractional days in LHAP calculation are rounded off to the nearest whole day, ensuring accuracy and fairness in leave accounting.

Carry Forward and Limitations

1. Carry Forward:

No Maximum Limit: LHAP balances can be carried forward indefinitely from one half-year to the next, unlike other types of leave that may have limits.

2. Grant Limitations:

Maximum Duration: LHAP can be granted for a maximum of 24 months in one continuous spell, regardless of its combination with other leave types. This restriction does not apply to commuted leave.

Additional Provisions

1. Grant Conditions:

Medical Certificate or Private Affairs: LHAP can be granted for medical reasons or private matters. For non-permanent employees, LHAP is granted only if there is a reasonable expectation of their return to duty, except in cases where the employee is permanently incapacitated.

2. Entitlement on Leave:

Continuous Service: If a Railway servant is on leave on their anniversary date of service completion, they are entitled to LHAP without needing to return to duty first.

Administrative Aspects

1. Leave Endorsement:

Application Requirement: LHAP and LAP balances must be endorsed on leave applications to maintain clarity and ensure proper leave management.

2. Consolidated Leave Orders:

Issuance:
- Instead of issuing individual leave orders, consolidated leave orders may be issued periodically, such as twice a month. This approach helps streamline administrative processes.

Additional Considerations

1. Study Leave:

Counting Period: Time spent on study leave is counted for the purpose of earning both LAP and LHAP, ensuring that educational pursuits do not negatively impact leave entitlements.

Conclusion

LHAP provides Railway servants with a valuable leave option, supporting both their personal and medical needs while maintaining a fair system of leave credit and management. Understanding these provisions ensures that Railway servants can effectively manage their leave and maximize their entitlements.

For more information and updates, Railway servants should refer to the latest official guidelines and notifications.