In Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2965, Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha and Shri Kaushalendra Kumar inquire about the review of the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) structure for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS). They ask about steps taken to review the TRCA structure, whether priority is given to local candidates familiar with the language and geography, details of such measures, and reasons for not adopting such a policy despite transfer requests.
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, responded that the TRCA structure for GDS is reviewed periodically and that the Government has successively constituted committees for revision of TRCA structure and other service conditions of GDS from time to time after report of each successive Central Pay Commissions (CPCs). As per Article 16(2) of the Constitution of India, no citizen can be discriminated against in public employment on the grounds of race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence. Knowledge of identified local languages studied at least up to the 10th standard is a mandatory requirement for GDS engagement under the extant rules.
Key Entities Referenced
Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA): Allowance structure for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) under review.
Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS): Postal service employees whose Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) is being reviewed.
Ministry of Communications: The government ministry responsible for answering questions about the TRCA for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
Constitution of India, Article 16(2): Article prohibiting discrimination in public employment based on race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2965
ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2025
REVIEW TIME RELATED CONTINUITY ALLOWANCE
†2965. SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:
SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the various steps being taken to review the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA)
structure for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS);
(b) whether the Government proposes to accord priority to local candidates familiar with the
language and local geography;
(c) if so, the details of the measures taken in this regard; and
(d) if not, the reasons for not adopting such a policy despite repeated transfer requests and
challenges faced by the candidates from other States?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Sir, the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) structure for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS)
is reviewed periodically. The Government has successively constituted committees for revision of
TRCA structure and other service conditions of GDS from time to time after report of each successive
Central Pay Commissions (CPCs).
(b) to (d) As per Article 16(2) of the Constitution of India, no citizen can be discriminated
against in public employment on the grounds of race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.
Further, knowledge of identified local language(s), studied at least upto 10th standard is a mandatory
requirement for GDS engagement under the extant rules.
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