Archive · 28 Aug 2026
West Bengal Announces New Relocation Allowance for Government Employees
West Bengal has created a new payment for government workers who have to move because of a transfer.
The payment is called the Composite Transfer and Packing Grant.
A worker can receive up to Rs 50,000, but the amount cannot exceed 80% of their basic pay.
Workers moving 30 kilometres or more can receive the full amount.
Those moving a shorter distance can receive one-third of the amount.
They will not need to show receipts to get the money.
Retiring workers who move back to their native places can also receive the allowance.
Employees welcomed the decision because they said the old payment was too small to cover relocation costs.
West Bengal announced a new Composite Transfer and Packing Grant for state government employees.
The grant will provide up to Rs 50,000 or 80% of basic pay, whichever is lower.
Employees transferred 30 kilometres or more will receive the full eligible amount.
Transfers below 30 kilometres will qualify for one-third of the eligible amount.
The allowance will also cover retiring employees moving to their native places, without requiring receipts.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, led in the announcement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and state government employees.
- What
- A new Composite Transfer and Packing Grant will replace the decades-old relocation allowance system.
- When
- The announcement was made on Friday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- West Bengal, for employees transferred between postings across the state.
- Why
- The government said the change would simplify and enhance support for employees, while workers said the previous allowance was insufficient for relocation costs.
Government rationale
Employee perspective
Reason for the change
Government rationale
The government described the new grant as a simplified and enhanced measure supporting the welfare of state employees.
Employee perspective
Employees welcomed the decision, saying the previous relocation allowance did not cover even a small portion of moving costs.
- Grant name
- Composite Transfer and Packing Grant
- Maximum amount
- Rs 50,000 or 80% of basic pay, whichever is less
- Distance threshold
- Transfers of 30 kilometres or more qualify for the full eligible amount
- Shorter transfers
- Transfers below 30 kilometres qualify for one-third of the amount
- Receipts
- Employees will not need to furnish receipts
- Retirement coverage
- Retiring employees moving to their native places are included
- Previous system
- The grant replaces the decades-old Transfer Grant and Packing Allowance system