According to HPCL's official spokesperson, "Even though a number of benefits were offered, some officers perhaps might have been expecting more benefits and decrease in subsidies could be yet another sore point."

The circular of compensation and benefits (C&B) will be effected for over 3,500 officers of the organisation. While increasing ceilings on shift-allowances, loans and insurance premium, the C&B package intends to wean away certain subsidies.

The benefits included in the circular are: A 2.5 times rise in shift-allowance for grade A and B officers, about 3 times rise in shift-allowance forgrade C and above.

Also, the insurance premium provided by the company would rise from a maximum of Rs 1,000 to a maximum of Rs 1,00,000 (Coverage for personal assets).

The area where the subsidy element is gradually expected to be done away with is the meal facility. In locations, where subsidised meals/lunch are being provided for officers, for example at the Petroleum House, Hindustan Bhawan, zonal offices and refineries, the rate of recovery will be revised to Rs 200 from Rs 20.

However, at locations where canteen facilities are provided on the basis of 2/3rd of the amount to be borne by the corporation and 1/3rd to be borne by the employees, the same would continue.

The officers have also been given a number of transfer benefits like revised packing charges for salary grades A to C to Rs 3,500 from Rs 2,500 and for salary grade D and above it has been revised to Rs 5,500 from Rs 4,000.

And for local transfers, salary group A and C will get Rs 1,300 for transportation personal effects plus 1/4thbasic along with dearness allowance towards settling in allowance. This is against an existing lumpsum of Rs 2,000 for salary group A and B.

For group D and above, the revised rates would be Rs 2,000 for transportation of personal effects plus 1/4th basic with additional dearness allowance towards settling in allowance. This was revised against a lumpsum of Rs 3000 for salary group C and D.

Currently, recovery of car loans being availed by officers is effected in a maximum of 100 instalments.

However, effective June 1998, the recovery period has been revised to 144 instalments for on-going and future loans. And with effect from June, all officers, including salary grade A, sales officers/sales engineers, other specified field-staff as well as non-field staff, will be eligible for car loans up to a ceiling of Rs 1,00,000.

The daily allowance on officially approved tour has been revised to by about Rs 100-150 depending on the salary grades. Effective April 1998, the number of SCDO for locations working42-48 hours will be revised.