Lok Sabha Question No. 1331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Sabbatical Leave by SAIL
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Manickam Tagore B, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Amol Ramsing Kolhe

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1331

FOR ANSWER ON 19/09/2020

## SABBATICAL LEAVE BY SAIL

1331.  DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRIMATISUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has introduced a scheme for sabbatical leave for all its regular employees who have completed 10 years in the company;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  objective  behind  the  move  along  with  the number of SAIL employees who have opted for this scheme;
- (c) the nature of benefit that the SAIL employee are likely to get during the course of the sabbatical leave;
- (d) whether the present move aims to prune the number of employees as SAIL has three to four times more regular employees than its peers in private sector; and
- (e) if so, whether SAIL has been able to bring down the number of employees by introducing  this  scheme  and  by  way  of  voluntary  retirement  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and the success achieved?

## ANSWER

(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)&(b):   Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL) has  introduced  a  scheme  for sabbatical leave for all  its  regular  employees  who  have  completed  10  years in  the company with effect from  01.12.2019.  The objective  of  the  Scheme  for  Sabbatical Leave is to provide employees with an opportunity to (i) avail of Leave/Break for self renewal, enhancement of expertise/knowledge, (ii) write book(s), compose music, art, participate  in  study  group  visits,  other  artistic/literary  pursuits,  etc,  (iii)  discharge various familial and social obligations (e.g. health issues of parents, spouse, children, etc.), (iv) join spouse abroad /other place of posting in India, (v) pursue hobbies/interests such as hiking, adventure sports, etc., (vi) go for wellness sojourns, (vii)  pursue  philanthropic  goals,  (viii)  pursue  entrepreneurial  ventures  not  having conflict  of  interest  with  the  Company  and  (ix)  voluntarily  explore  different  work environment by seeking employment  elsewhere.  Till 14.09.2020, 15 (Fifteen) numbers of SAIL employees have availed the Scheme.

- (c) Benefits admissible for employees opting for Sabbatical Leave as per scheme are as under:-
- (i) The facility of Company's accommodation as applicable and admissible (excluding HRA) and Medical benefits for the employee and dependent family  members  shall  continue.  However,  if  an  employee  takes  up employment  with  another  organization  or  pursues  an  entrepreneurial venture, facility of Company's  accommodation  if  retained by the employee shall be charged at market rates and Medical facility for self and dependents would stand withdrawn.
- (ii)         In  case  an  employee  acquires  a  professional  qualification  during  the Sabbatical  period,  he/she  will  be  eligible  to  apply  for  incentive  on rejoining  subject  to  its  admissibility  under  the  Company's  existing incentive scheme for acquiring professional qualification, modified from time to time.
- (iii)       The benefits under the Sabbatical Leave shall be subject to income tax as per the Income-Tax Act/Rules.

(d)&(e): No, Sir.

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