(a) the criteria adopted for upgrading a city;
(b) the facilities provided to these cities after upgradation;
(c) the names of cities in the country particularly in West Bengal, which have been upgraded during the last five years; and
(d) the names of cities which are proposed to be upgraded during the next financial year particularly in West Bengal?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS(SHRI ANANDRAO V. ADSUL)
(a): The criteria adopted for upgrading a city or town for determining HRA and CCA entitlements are population criteria as recommended by 5th CPC and accepted by Government, re-constitution of the municipal area by the State Government, their relative expensiveness, prevailing rentals, availability of accommodation, maintenance of earlier parities etc. and large influx of refugees, as in the case of Jammu.
(b): The Central Government employees posted in the upgraded cities become entitled to House Rent Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance and Daily Allowance on tour etc. at higher rates after upgradation of the city.
(c): The following cities have been upgraded during last 5 years:-
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Jammu and Oulgaret (Pondicherry)
(d): There is no proposal under consideration for upgrading a city during the next financial year.