Clarification on Children Education Allowance

Dopt Clarification Orders on Children Education Allowance as FAQ

Department of Personnel and Training has instructed to competant authorities of all Deaprtments/Ministries of Central Government from time to time regarding in the subject of recruitment, regulation of service conditions, posting/transfers, deputation of personnel as well as other related issues. By this way, an important clarification orders issued by this deparment about the scheme of 'Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy'. This order contents lot of doubts and clarifications which are all questioned by the employees of Central Government in the post. It is provided as FAQ (Frequetnly Asked Questions), they have prepared nearly fifteen important questions and their answers is given in the order. It is defnitley to help to clarify for both Department authorities and employees.

The main issues are being clarified in this order such as, Permissible to third child, Same class twice, Frontloading of entire amount, Minimum and Maximum age limit, Definition of Fees, KV School fees and Misplacement of receipts etc… We have reproduced the full text of the order and given below for your information...

No.21011/08/2013-Estt.(AL)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

Establishment (Allowances) Section

Children Education Allowance Scheme (CEA)

Sl. No.	Frequently asked Question	Answer
1	Whether Reimbursement of Children Education Allowance (CEA)for 3rd child is permissible if CEAhas not been claimed for 1st and or 2nd child? As per OM dated 2.9.2008 CEAis admissible for two school going children does it mean any two school going children?	No. Reimbursement of CEA is not permissible for third child even if reimbursement has not been claimed in respect of first and/or second child. However, as per OM No.12011/03/2008- Estt.(AL) dated 11.11.2008, the Children Education Allowance would be admissible for more than two children where as a result of the second child birth results in birth of twins or multiple children. Further, reimbursement of CEAfor the 3? child is also admissible in case of failure of sterilization operation. Such reimbursement• is admissible only for the first child birth after failure of sterilization operation. This point was further clarified vide O.M. No.12011/16/2009-Allowance) dated 13.11.2009.
2	What types of fee are reimbursable? Whether Annual Charges and Transportation fees are reimbursable? Whether reimbursement towards purchase of school bag, water bottle, uniform, shoes and stationery is admissible?	As per OM No.12011/03/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 2.9.2008, tuition fee, admission fee, laboratory fee, special fee charged for agriculture, electronics, music or any other subject, fee charged for practical work under the programme of work experience, fee paid for the use of any aid or appliances by the child, library fee, games/sports fee and fee for extra-curricular activities are reimbursable subject to the condition that the aforementioned fee are charged by the school directly from the student. No reimbursement is permissible for Annual Charges and Transportation fees. Besides, reimbursement for purchase of one set of text books and notebooks, two sets of uniforms prescribed by the school in which the child is studying, one pair of shoes, in an academic year are reimbursable. Uniform include all items of clothing prescribed for a day, as uniform by the school, irrespective of colours/winter/summer/PT uniforms. Reimbursement of school bags, pens/pencils, water bottle, stationery etc., may not be allowed. O.M. No.12011/08/2010-Estt.(AL) dated 30.12.2010and O.M. No.12011/07(i)/2011- Estt.(AL) dated 21.02.2012 refers.
3	Whether CEA has been increased by 25% as a result of enhancement ofDearness allowancebeyond 50%?	The Department’s OM No.12011/03/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 2.9.2008 clearly indicates that the limits “would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%. There is no need for any separate order from this Department to effect enhancement of CEA as a result of increase in DA by 50%. However, O.M. No.12011/01/2011-Estt.(Allowance) dated 4th May, 2011, has been issued to clarify this further.
4	Whether CEA can be claimed for the child for the same class twice?	The reimbursement of CEA is not linked to the performance of the child in his class. Even if a child fails in a particular class, the reimbursement is permissible.However, if the child is admitted in the same class in another school, although the child has passed out of the same class in previous school or in the mid-session, CEA shall not be reimbursable.
5	Whether CEA/Hostel Subsidy is allowed for initial two years of Diploma Courses?	Children Education Allowance/Hostel Subsidy is allowed for the initial two years of a diploma/ certificate course from Polytechnic / lTl / Engineering College, if the child pursues the course after passing 10th standard and the Government servant has not been granted CEA/Hostel Subsidy in respect of the child for studies in ¡n 11th and 12th standards. This is further subject to fulfillment of other conditions laid down in the OM. No.12011/03/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 2.9.2008 and subsequent instructions issued from time to time.
6	What is hostel subsidy?	The term Hostel Subsidy would mean expenses incurred by the Government servant if he/she keeps his/her children in a hostel of a residential school/institution located beyond a distance of 50 kilometers from his/her residence.
7	Whether Hostel subsidy is reimbursable irrespective of transfer liability?	Hostel Subsidy is reimbursable to all Central Government Employees covered by the scheme, for keeping their ward in the Hostel of a residential school away from the station in which the employee is posted or residing irrespective of any transfer liability.
8	Whether Hostel subsidy can be reimbursed if the child is staying in a Hostel which is not part of residential school where he is studying?	No, Hostel subsidy is reimbursable only in case of child studying in a residential school and staying in hostel of the said residential school.
9	What are the components of hostel subsidy?	Hostel subsidy includes fee charged for boarding, lodging in addition to fee as mentioned in para 1(e) of OM No. 12011/03/ 2008-Estt.(AL) dated 2.9.2008.
10	Whether a Government servant is allowed to get 50% of the total amount subject to the overall annual ceiling in the first quarter and the remaining amount in third and/or fourth quarter?	Reimbursement of 50% of the entitled amount for the academic year can be allowed in the first and/or second quarter and the remaining amount can be reimbursed in the third and/or fourth quarter. The entire entitled amount can also be reimbursed in the last quarter. However, frontloading of the entire admissible amount is not permissible. O.M. No.12011/07(i)/2011- Estt.(AL) dated 21.02.2012 refers.
11	Whether any age limit been prescribed reimbursement of CEA respect of children studying nursery classes?	There is no minimum age prescribed for reimbursement of CEA in respect of children admitted in nursery classes.  However, with regard to physically challenged children the minimum age of 5 (five) years was prescribed for disabled children undergoing non- formal/vocational education. With effect from 21st February, 2012, the minimum age stipulated as 5 years for disabled children stand removed. Hence, there is no minimum age of child for whom reimbursement is claimed irrespective of the fact whether the child is disabled or not. The maximum age for normal child is 20 years and for physically challenged children the maximum age is 22 years. O.M. No.12011/07(ii)/2011-Estt.(AL) dated 21.02.2012 refers.
12	Whether the school/institution should be recognized?	The school institution has to be recognized by the Central or State Government or UT administration or by University or a recognized educational authority having jurisdiction over the area where the institution is situated. This also applies in respect of children studying in two classes prior to Class-I. i.e.. nursery /LKG / UKG, etc., OM No.12011/03/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 23.11.2009.
13	Whether CEA is payable for the children of Central Government employees and studying abroad, including children of citizens of Nepal/Bhutan but working in Government of India, and their children are studying in the schools in their native place?	The CEA is payable for the children of all Central Government employees including citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, who are employees of Government of India, and whose children are studying in the native place. However, a certificate may be obtained from the concerned Indian Mission that the school is recognized by the educational authority having jurisdiction over the area where the institution is situated.
14	What constitutes “Fee” as per para 1(e) of the 0.M. dated 2/9/2008 and whether fee paid for extra-curricular activities to some other institute and reimbursement of school bags, pens/pencils, etc., can be allowed? Is there any item- wise ceiling?	“Fee” shall mean fee paid to the school in which the child is studying, directly by the parents/guardian for the items mentioned in para 1(e) of the OM. dated 2/9/2008. Reimbursement of school bags, pens/pencils, etc., may not be allowed. There is no item-wise ceiling. O.M. No.12011/07(i)/2011-Estt.(AL) dated 21.02.2012 refers.
15	Whether reimbursement can be allowed in case the original receipts are misplaced and duplicate receipts are produced by the Government servant? Are the original receipts required to be attested/ countersigned / rubber stamped by the school authorities?	In case of misplacement of receipts given by the school/institution towards charges received from the parents/guardian, reimbursement may be allowed if the Government servant produces a duplicate receipt, duly authenticated by the school authorities. Receipts from private parties, other than the school, if misplaced shall not be entertained, even if a duplicate receipt is produced. Original receipts from school authorities need not be attested/ countersigned/rubber stamped by the school authorities. O.M. No.12011/07(i)/2011-Estt.(AL) dated 21.02.2012 refers.
16	Whether Development Fee / Parents Contribution charged by the school/institution is reimbursable?	Reimbursement of Development Fee/Parents’ Contribution is allowed w.e.f. 2l’ February, 2012, vide O.M. No.1201 L/07(ii)1201 l-Estt.(AL) dated 21.02.2012, on pro-rata basis, subject to the condition that the Government servant will have to certify that the school does not charge tuition fee. However, in respect of children studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya., the Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi is reimbursable as it forms part of para 1(e) of O.M. No.12011 /3/2008-Estt.(Allowance) dated 2.9.2008. O.M. No.12011/16/2009- Estt(Allowances) dated 13.11.2009 refers.
17	Whether reimbursement of fee charged directly by the school for catering to the special needs of the child with disabilities duly certified by the concerned school authorities, in addition to items mentioned in para 1(e) of O.M. dated 2.9.2008. is permissible?	Reimbursement of fee charged directly by the school for catering to the special needs of the child with disabilities duly certified by the concerned school authorities, in addition to items mentioned in para 1(e) of O.M. dated 2.9.2008, is allowed w.e.f. 211t February, 2012.

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

Delegation meets Director of Fisheries

 PRESS STATEMENT

           A delegation of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association led by its General Secretary Shri D. Ayyappan met the Director of  Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Islands  recently and  discussed with  him  various issues and demands of   employees working in the Fisheries Department.   The demands/issues discussed in the meeting with the Director of Fisheries include (1) grant of Night Duty Allowance to all the eligible employees (2) implementation of the enhanced rate of Risk Allowance (3) Immediate supply of liveries to staff (4) overtime allowance to those perform overtime work (5) more promotional channel for employees, (6) providing basic facilities like drinking water, furniture, etc.   The Director of Fisheries was kind enough to assure the delegation that the demands raised by the Association will be examined and action taken immediately.  The other members of the delegation of the Association were R. Rajendran, Central Organising Secretary and Loknath Mondal, Vice President and G. Shibu, Secretary of the Fisheries Sub-Committee and PB Ajit Kumar.   

NGOs' Association Chalks out Year-long programme for Diamond Jubilee celebration

News Item

          The Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association has drawn up a year-long programme in connection with the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the Association. The Association is going to complete 60 years of its formation.   In a largely-attended meeting held at Hotel ACC, Port Blair today (16.03.2013) evening, it was decided to conduct various programmes throughout Andaman and Nicobar Islands from July, 2013 to February, 2014.   Presenting the blue-print of the  programme in the meeting today, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary of the Association said that the inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration will be formally  held sometime in August, 2013 while sport and games competitions,  Seminars on various topic,  photo exhibition, etc. will be carried out  from July, 2013 onwards till February, 2014. 

          Speaking on the occasion, former General Secretary of the Association Shri KG Das recalled the glorious past of the Association under the leadership of late veteran leader PKS Prasd.   Referring to various anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government, Shri KG Das said that the public sector undertakings built up with the help of former Soviet Union by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Smt Indira Gandhi are being sold out one by one at throwaway prices.  Addressing the gathering, Shri P. Banerjee, former President of the Association recalled the  famous struggle launched by PKS Prasad against demolition of  huts constructed on government land  by government employees  in which  hundreds of government employees  were  suspended and jailed in the Cellular Jail. Due to this agitation, the Administration had to go for construction of residential accommodation for government employees at various parts of Port Blair and other areas in the islands.   Addressing the gathering, Shri B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A & N State Committee called upon the government employees to continue their agitation and struggle on their various issues. 

          Former leaders of the Association Shri N. Ravindran, Shri A. Ramesan Nair, Shri M. Mohammed, etc.  who participated in a number of  movements,   narrated the  victimization  they had to face at the hands of  bureaucracy in the Administration during the  1960s and 1970s  for participating in the Association’s activities.      

         The meeting elected a 100-member Diamond Jubilee celebration Committee   with Shri KG Das as Patron, Shri B. Chandrachoodan as Chairman and Shri TS Sreekumar as Secretary.   

          Shri Sadanand Rai, President of the Association who presided over the meeting welcomed the gathering while Shri H.L. Prasad, Vice President   proposed a Vote of Thanks.  

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

NEWS ITEM

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has completed 60 years of its formation.   The Association, which is the only unitary organization irrespective of category or department,   has been in the forefront of struggles over the years for achieving various benefits for government employees.     

          The Annual Conference of the Association held on 9^th and 10^th February, 2013 at Port Blair has decided to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the formation of the Association in a befitting manner.   In order to chalk out a year-long programme and to form the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee, a meeting will be held at the Auditorium of Hotel ACC, Mohanpura, Port Blair   at 4 p.m. on 16^th March, 2013 (Saturday).   

NGOs' Association observes International Women's Day

News Item

To mark the International Women’s Day, a meeting was organized at Crusade House, Phoenix Bay by the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association today (08.03.2013) at 06.00 p.m. The programme was presided over by Smt Rita Banerjee, Lecturer, District Institute of Education and Training who was also the Chief Guest on the occasion.  Addressing the gathering, Smti Rita Banerjee said that the fight by the women in India started with the First Freedom Struggle.  She said that despite constitutional safeguards, the condition of women in the country is pathetic.  Speaking on the occasion, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary of the Association  said that the United Nation’s Theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is: “A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Agaisnt Women” and elaborated the context on which the  said Theme was formulated by United Nations.   Referring to various laws enacted by the Parliament after independence to protect the women, he said that the governments in the country have failed to implement these laws and said that the atrocities on women are increasing in the country in one way or other.  He appreciated the government for passing the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2012 in the Parliament.  Smt Neena Balaji, Organising Secretary of the Association while welcoming the women employees and Chief Guest briefly explained the origin of International Women Day in the world. Smt Sagarika Das, Smt Sherly, Smt Usha Radhakrishnan, Smt Reetha Banerjee and Smt Shanti Tigga also spoke on the occasion.   Shri Sadanan Rai, President of the Association proposed Vote of Thanks. 

NGOs' Association observes International Women's Day

NON–GAZETTED GOVERNMENT OFFICERS’

ASSOCIATION

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Observes

International Women’s Day

On 8^th March, 2013 (Friday) at 5.30 p.m

At Crusade House, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair

All women government employees are requested

to participate.

    (D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary 

ITI Employees Join NGOs' Association

NEWS ITEM

          A meeting of the employees working in the Industrial Training Institute, Dollygunj was held recently at Crusade House, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair in which it was unanimously decided to form ITI Sub-Committee of the Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association. The meeting discussed various issues and demands of the government employees in general and those relating to the employees working in ITI, Dollygunj.   Addressing the gathering, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary of the Association called upon the government employees working in all the departments under the A & N Administration irrespective of category and department to strengthen the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association and become part of the nation-wide movements of central government employees on various demands and issues. Shri TS Sreekumar, Asst.General Secretary also addressed the meeting.   Shri T. Subodh presided over the meeting.   

Remove restrictions for granting CCL

PRESS STATEMENT

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has demanded to remove all the unwanted restrictions imposed  by the Govt. of India for grant of Child Care Leave to eligible women employees working under the  government.  In a resolution adopted in the Annual Conference of the Association held recently, the Association noted that the conditions imposed by the Govt. of India on availing the Child Care Leave viz.   to restrict the CCL on three occasions in a year,  to avail at least 15 days CCL at a time, etc., are causing  inconvenience to  women  employees.  The Association further noted that in a number of departments under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the Child Care Leave to eligible women employees are being denied on one reason or other.  The Association noted that it is against the very principle of allowing the Child Care Leave to women employees and demanded the Govt. of India and A & N Administration not to   put any obstructions in granting Child Care Leave to women employees.  

Programmes in A & N Islands in support of 2-day All India Strike

News Item

          In support of the   two-day All India Strike on 20-21 February, 2013, local units of the central trade unions and government employees’ organizations today (21.02.2013) organized mass dharna, procession and public meetings in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.   The main programme was held at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar, Port Blair where workers and employees from various central trade unions and Associations sat on Mass Dharna from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Thereafter, a procession was taken out in the town at 4.15 p.m. which culminated in massive public meeting at Tiranga Park.  Addressing the meeting,  Shri B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A & N State Committee  criticized the central government for  pursuing various anti-working class policies  and dealt in detail the  struggles conducted by the trade unions since 1991.   Speaking on the occasion,  Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association said that  it is for the first time that all the central trade unions in the country have come together  to   voice their protest against the  wrong policies of the government  which affect all sections of the  working people.  He said that the central government is slowly moving towards complete privatization and outsourcing of government work.  Referring to the Disinvestment Ministry during the NDA government, he said that now, without the Disinvestment Ministry, the government is  committed to  privatise the  public sector undertakings, Banks, Insurance, etc. and referred to the  present  position of the  loss-making BSNL.   Shri NKP Nair, General Secretary, AICCTU A & N Unit while addressing the gathering criticized the Administration for not considering various demands of the workers in the islands.  Shri Veeranna, General Secretary of BMS A & N Unit emphasized the need to fight against the corruption prevailing in various departments under the Administration.   Shri RP Sharma of HMS also spoke on the occasion.  Shri Sadanand Rai, who presided over the meeting, said that the central government is depriving the government employees of their existing benefits and referred to the introduction of New Pension Scheme during 2004.  

          At Diglipur, a day-long mass dharna was organized at Diglipur  Bazar in which a large number of workers from various trade unions   participated.  Later in the evening, a massive procession was taken out in the Diglipur bazaar which was led by Shri S. Asokan, Shri Madan Mohan Das, Shri   PJ Eappen and Shri Ali Akber.     

          At Little Andaman, a procession was taken out by the workers in the Hut Bay Bazar in the evening.   

               The issues raised during the  All India Strike are  (1) Take concrete measures to contain Price rise,  (2) Take concrete measures for linkage of employement protection   with the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs, (3) Ensure strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws, (4) Universal social security cover for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendation of NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, (5) Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs, (6) No Contractorisation of work permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry /establishment (7)  Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs.10,000/- linked with cost price index (8) Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity, (9) Assured statutory Pension for all and (10) Ensure Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions Nos.87 and 98.  Besides various local demands were are raised during the  programme.   

NGOs' Association Delegation Meets DG Shipping

NEWS ITEM

           

A delegation from  the Shipping Department Sub-Committee of the  Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association,  led by Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary met the visiting Director General (Shipping), Government of India   today  (20.02.2013)  at  Marine Hill Circuit House and  submitted a Memorandum  containing  some of the demands of the employees working in the Shipping Department.   The demands presented before the Director General Shipping includes (1) Exemption from required Survey Certificate to appear Examination for Master/ Engine Driver, etc, 2.Conduct of Examination for Engine Drivers and Masters, 3. MEO Class –IV and Part B Examination, 4. Exemption from Watch Keeping Certificate for appearing in the MEO Class –IV   (NCV) course & MWKO (NCV, etc).  After a detailed discussion on each issue, the Director General Shipping assured the delegation that the demands raised by the Association will be examined and appropriate action taken immediately.  The Principal Officer, MMD, Kolkatta was also present in the meeting.