Pension of ex-Govt employees to be net of Income Tax

Pension of ex-Govt employees to be net of Income Tax

No BPS/ SG/pension/I.Tax/018/1  

Dated: 23.11.2018

To
The Arun jaitley ji
Honorable Cabinet Minister for Finance
Government of India
Subject: Pension of ex-Govt employees to be net of Income Tax

Sir,

With passage of time, the purchase value of pension due to steep rise in the cost of food items, caregivers and medical facilities etc gets substantially reduced. Due to inflation coupled with low interest rates value of their deposits in Banks/Post offices etc too go on reducing year by year adversely affecting the net-worth of Pensioners. Thus compelling them to compromise their standard of dignified living.

As was worked out & recommended by TECS (Tata Economic Consultancy Services) consultant to Vth CPC (Para 127.9 Vol III 5th CPC report) Pension need to be 67% of the last drawn to enable a pensioner to live with the same standard to which he was living while in service (Supreme Court pronouncement in DS Nakara vs UOI) but only 50% of last drawn is being paid. Old age relief given to Sr citizen in Income tax is too little to compensate.

You are therefore, requested to reconsider & accept the recommendation of Vth CPC vide their 167.11(copy attached) in this regard and spare the pension/family pension along with DR & FMA from the levy of income-tax.

Further to compensate fall in purchase value of their savings in deposits with banks & post offices rate of interests for senior citizens on their deposits should be 2% above the normal rate of interests as against the existing 0.25% to 0.50%.

Hoping for your sympathetic consideration

Thanking you in anticipation

With Regards
Sincerely yours,
S.C.Maheshwari
Secy Genl Bharat Pensioners Samaj

RATES OF INCOME-TAX AS PER FINANCE ACT, 2017

RATES OF INCOME-TAX AS PER FINANCE ACT, 2017:

As per the Finance Act, 2017, income-tax is required to be deducted under Section 192 of the Act from income chargeable under the head "Salaries" for the financial year 2017-18 (i.e. Assessment Year 2018-19) at the following rates:

2.1 Rates of tax

A. Normal Rates of tax:

SI.No	Total Income	Rate of tax
1	Where the total income does not exceed Rs. 2,50,000/-.	Nil
2	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 2,50,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-.	5 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 2,50,000/-
3	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-.	Rs. 12,500/- plus 20 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-.
4	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-.	Rs. 1,12,500/- plus 30 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-

B. Rates of tax for every individual, resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the financial year:

SI No	Total Income	Rate of tax
1	Where the total income does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000/-	Nil
2	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000 but does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-	5 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000/-
3	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-	Rs. 10,000/- plus 20 per cent of the amount by
		which the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-.
4	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-	Rs. 1,10,000/- plus 30 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-

C. In case of every individual being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the financial year:

SI No	Total Income	Rate of tax
1	Where the total income does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-	Nil
2	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000 but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-	20 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-
4	Where the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-	Rs. 1,00,000/- plus 30 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-

2.2 Surcharge on Income tax:
The amount of income-tax computed in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Paragraph, or the provisions of section 111A or section 112 of the Act, shall, in the case of every individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act, will be as under:
(a) having a total income exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten percent of such income-tax and
(b) having a total income exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen percent of such income-tax:

Provided that in the case of persons mentioned above having total income exceeding;-
(a) Fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on such income shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of fifty lakh rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds fifty lakh rupees;
(b) one crore rupees, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on such income shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

2.3.1 Education Cess on Income tax:
The amount of income-tax including the surcharge if any, shall be increased by Education Cess on Income Tax at the rate of two percent of the income-tax.

2.3.2 Secondary and Higher Education Cess on Income-tax:
An additional education cess is chargeable at the rate of one percent of income-tax including the surcharge, if any, but not including the Education Cess on income tax as in 2.3.1.

Calculation of Income tax an Employee Below 60 Age A.Y.2018-19

Calculation of Income tax an Employee Below 60 Age A.Y.2018-19

ANNEXURE-I

SOME ILLUSTRATIONS

Example 1
For Assessment Year 2018-19

(A) Calculation of Income tax in the case of an employee(Male or Female) below the age of sixty years and having gross salary income of:
i) Rs.2,50,000/- ,

ii) Rs.5,00,000/- ,

iii) Rs.10,00,000/-

iv) Rs.55,00,000/-. and

v) Rs. 1,10,00,000/-
(B) What will be the amount of TDS in case of above employees, if PAN is not submitted by them to their DDOs/Offices:

Particulars	Rupees	Rupees	Rupees	Rupees	Rupees
	(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)	(v)
Gross Salary Income (including allowances)	2,50,000	4,00,000	10,00,000	55,00,000	1,10,00,000
Contribution of G.P.F.	45,000	50,000	1,00,000	1,00,000	1,00,000

Computation of Total Income and tax payable thereon

Particulars	Rupees	Rupees	Rupees	Rupees	Rupees
	(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)	(v)
Gross Salary	2,50,000	4,00,000	10,00,000	55,00,000	1,10,00,000
Less: Deduction U/s 80C	45,000	50,000	1,00,000	1,00,000	1,00,000
Taxable Income	2,05,000	3,50,000	9,00,000	54,00,000	1,09,00,000
(A) Tax thereon	Nil	2,500*	92,500	14,32,500	30,82,500
Surcharge				1,43,250	4,62,375
Add:	Nil	50	1850	31,515	70,898
(i)   Education Cess @ 2%.	Nil	25	925	15,758	35,449
(ii) Secondary and Higher Education Cess @1%
Total tax payable	Nil	2,575	95,275	16,23,023	36,51,222

* After rebate of Rs 2500 u/s 87A

Filling of Returns by every Government Servant - Income Tax

Filling of Returns by every Government Servant - Income Tax

Government Servant

भारत सरकार /Government of India
आयकर विभाग/Income Tax Department
आयकर आयुक्त चेन्नै-3 का कार्यालय, चेन्नै
Office of the Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax-3, Chennai
कमरा सं.410, चौथातल, आयकर भवन, 121, महात्मागांधी रोड, चेन्नै-34.
4th Floor, Main Building, 121, Mahathma Gandhi Road, Chennai- 34.

P.N.DEVADASAN, IRS
Principal Commissioner.
Chennai

19/06/2018

To
The Drawing & Disbursing Officer
O/O Dy. Director of IT(INV) Unit III
139, IOC Bhavan I Floor IOC Bhavan Nungambakkam High
Road Nungambakkam Chennai - 600034

Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Filing of Returns by every Government Servant - Reg.

As you might be aware, every person who is having income more than Rs.2,50,000 is bound to file his/her return of income. This includes the Government Servants also. However, the data of returns filed indicate that more than 50% of the Government Servants at Chennai are not filling their income tax returns. I hope, you will agree that as government servants, we should abide by laws and to be role models to the common citizens of our country. If we, Government servants ourselves are violating law by not filling our income tax returns, we don’t have any moral right to blame other sections of society.

From this year i.e Assessment Year 2018-19 onwards, the Parliament has amended the Income Tax Act by introducing a new section 234F for imposing late fee on every person who is not filling his/her return of income within the due date. For salaried employees, the due date is 31-07-2018. This means all the salaried employees have to file their returns of income for the Financial Year 2017-18 (Assessment Year 2018-19) on or before31-07-2018. Otherwise they all mandatorily have to pay late fee amounting between Rs.1,000 to Rs.10,000 as per the provisions of Section 234 . Also, a penalty of Rs.5,000 can be imposed under section 271F on them. In addition to this, they can be prosecuted under section 276CC of the Income Tax Act for jail termsvarying between three months to seven years.

It may please be noted that these provisions are applicable to all the persons having gross income (excluding deductions) above Rs.2,50,000/-. It is understood that many persons who are claiming deductions under section 80C etc. (on GPF contribution, Life Insurance Policies, Housing Loan Repayment etc.) and adjustment of Interest on Housing Loan are under the impression that they need not file the return as their net income is below taxable limit and no TDS is deducted from their salary.
Therefore, I request you to kindly intimate and advice all the employees to whom the gross salary paid in the last year is more than Rs.2,50,000 to file their returns of income before 31-07-2018. It may also be noted that all the incomes earned by an employee such as rental income (including subletting of house/s), interest incomes, dividend from Co-operative societies and all such incomes should be declared in their returns of income. Later, if found to have omitted any such incomes, they are liable for separate penalty and prosecution for concealing those incomes.

A copy of this letter may be handed over to each of your employees who draw their salary through you. You may also discuss this issue with the Head of your Office/Department and request him/her to issue a circular to all the employees to file their return of income well in time.

In case of any clarification or suggestions, you may please contact the following Officers: Joint Commissioner Smt. Sumathy Venkataraman (8762300298), Assistant Commissioner Ms. N. Abhinaya (8939744880), Smt. Priya Ramakrishnan, ITO (9445954906), Shri Sundaramurthy, ITO (9445955554), Smt. Malarvizhy Kujur ITO (9962383336) or Shri V. Baladandayutham, ITO (9445954896).

Yours faithfully,

(P.N.DEVADASAN)

Source: Confederation

Dress Code prescribed for Income Tax Employees

Dress Code prescribed for Income Tax Employees

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DELHI
C.R.BUILDING, L.P.ESTATE, NEW DELHI-110002
Phone No.011-23379596/23379245; FAX 011- 23378668

F.No.PrCCIT/Admin/2017-18/02

Dated: 02.03.2018

Office Order

Reg: Dress Code prescribed for Income Tax Employees

The Income Tax Department strives to maintain a workplace environment that is well functioning and maintain high standard of conduct and decorum. As part of that effort, the Department requires employees to maintain a neat, clean and formal appearance that is appropriate for the workplace setting.

It if often seen that a large number of employees, especially the younger members of the department come dress casually for the office, which is unexpected of them.

All the Officers/Officials/ staff members should be attired in appropriate, formal, clean, modest and decent clothes. Casual and party attire should be strictly avoided during appearance in office. Any staff member who does not meet the attire, will be subject to corrective action and may be asked to leave the premises to change clothing.

This issues with the prior approval of the competent authority.

(Divya Vashishta)
Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, (Hqrs.) (Admn.)
New Delhi.

Source: Confederation

Central Government notifies Exemption from Quoting Aadhaar / Enrolment ID to certain individuals

Central Government notifies Exemption from Quoting Aadhaar / Enrolment ID to certain individuals

The Central Government vide notification dated 11th May, 2017 has notified that the requirement of quoting of Aadhaar / Enrolment ID shall not apply to the following individuals if they do not possess the Aadhaar / Enrolment ID:

• An individual who is residing in the state of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya.
• An individual who is a non-resident as per the Income-tax Act, 1961.
• An individual of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year.
• An individual who is not a citizen of India.

The notification is available on the Income Tax website www.incometaxindia.gov.in.

Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961, as inserted by the Finance Act, 2017 provides for mandatory quoting of Aadhaar / Enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form for filing of return of income and for making an application for allotment of Permanent Account Number with effect from 1st July, 2017. Section 139AA

(3) of the Act empowers the Central Government to notify the person(s) or State(s) to which the requirement of quoting of Aadhaar / Enrolment ID shall not apply.

PIB

Income Tax department launches new facility to link Aadhaar with PAN

Income Tax department launches new facility to link Aadhaar with PAN

New Delhi: The Income Tax department has launched a new e-facility to link a person's Aadhaar with the Permanent Account Number (PAN), a mandatory procedure for filing IT returns now.

The department's e-filing website https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/ has created a new link on its homepage making it easy" to link the two unique identities of an individual.

The link requires a person to punch in his PAN number, Aadhaar number and the exact name as given in the Aadhaar card".

After verification from the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), the linking will be confirmed. In case of any minor mismatch in Aadhaar name provided, Aadhaar OTP (one time password) will be required," the department said in its advisory to taxpayers and individuals.

The OTP will be sent on the registered mobile number and email of the individual.

It urged them to ensure that the date of birth and gender in PAN and Aadhaar are exactly the same, to ensure linking without failure.

There is no need to login or be registered on e-filing website (of the I-T department). This facility can be used by anyone to link their Aadhaar with PAN," it said.

The government, under the Finance Act 2017, has made it mandatory for taxpayers to quote Aadhaar or enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form for filing of income tax returns (ITR).

Also, Aadhaar has been made mandatory for applying for permanent account number with effect from July 1, 2017.

The department, till now, has linked over 1.18 Aadhaar with its PAN database.

While Aadhaar is issued by the UIDAI to a resident of India, PAN is a ten-digit alphanumeric number issued in the form of a laminated card by the IT department to any person, firm or entity.

PTI

7th CPC: Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff

7th CPC: Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff

Consequent upon implementation of 7th CPC Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff: Directorate of Estates OM dated 16.03.2017

No.11015/1/98-Pol.1
Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development
Directorate of Estates

New Delhi, the 16th March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff and special requirements of Central Secretariat excluding those serving in the Income Tax, Central Excise and Customs Departments.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the then Ministry of Work & Housing O.M. No.11015(2)/75-PoI.IV dated 24.11.76, and Directorate of Estates O.M. of even number dated 20.10.87, dated 07.08.98, and dated 20.02.14 on the above subject and to say that consequent upon revision of pay scales of the Central Government employees on the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission as notified  vide Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, and recommendations made by the Expenditure Management Commission (EMC) constituted by Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure), it has been decided to prescribe revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff and special requirements as under, with immediate effect:-

Table A - Revised scales of office space for Officer and staff
Sl. No.	Existing Category	Proposed Category	Entitlement of Office space in (sq. ft./sq. mt.)
1.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.10000/- in PB-4 and above	Officers drawing Pay in the Level 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18	360 sq. ft.(33 sq. mt.)
2.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.7600/- in PB-3 and above but less than the Gr. Pay of Rs.10000/-	Officers drawing Pay in the Level 12, 13 and 13A	240 sq. ft.(22 sq. mt.)
3.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay. of Rs.6600/- in PB-3 and above but less than theGr. Pay of Rs.7600/-	Officers drawing Pay in the Level	120 sq. ft.(11 sq.mt.)
4.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.4800/- in PB 2 and above/ Section Officers in the Secretariat/ Attached Offices but less than the Gr. Pay of Rs.6600/-	Officers drawing Pay in the Level 8, 9 and 10/ Section Officers in the Secretariat/Attached Offices drawing Pay in the Level 8, 9 and 10	60 sq. ft. (5.5 sq.mt.)
5.	Technical Staff such as Draughtsman, Tracers, Estimators, etc	Technical Staff such as Draughtsman, Tracers,Estimators, etc	60 sq. ft. (5.5 sq.mt.)
6.	Ministerial Staff such as Superintendents, Head Clerks, Assistants, Clerks, Multi Task Staff (MTS)	Ministerial Staff such as Superintendents, Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA), Junior Secretariat Assistant (J SA), Head Clerks, Assistants, Clerks, Multi Tasking Staff MTS	40 sq. ft. (3.5 sq. mt.)
7.	Ministerial Staff of Audit Offices	Ministerial Staff of Audit Offices	40 sq. ft. (3.5 sq. mt.)

Table B - Revised Scales of office space for Special Requirement
Sl. No.	Particular	Prescribed entitlement of office space
1.	Conference Room	Conference Room should be subject to the requirement of of 237 sq.ft. (22 sq.mt) and maximum 474 sq.ft. 44.5 .mt.)
2.	Visitors Room	Visitors Room should be according to the requirement of a Ministry/Department but it should not be more than 474 sq.ft. (44 sq.mt.).  Visitor room of the size of  86 sq.ft (8 sq.mt.) will be provided to the officers of the rank of Joint Secretary . & above within the ceiling of 474 sq. ft
3.	Receptionist	120 sq.ft. (11 sq. meters)
4.	Security Room at every entrance	120 sq.ft. (11 sq. meters)
5.	Canteen	One Sq. ft. (0.09 sq. mt.) per person in an office including the space for the dining hall, kitchen, etc.
6.	Dining/Tiffin Room (for lunch)	400 sq. ft. (36 sq. meters)
7.	Ladies Common Room	120 sq. ft. (11.00 sq. Meters)
8.	Class Room	According to the requirement of Department but should not be more than 474 sq. ft. (44 sq. meters)
9.	Library	One sq. ft. for 25 books or one sq. meter for 275 books.
10.	Old Records	One sq. ft. for 20 recorded files or one sq. meter for 220 recorded files.
11.	Care taker Room	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. meter)
12.	CPWD Maintenance Staff Room	400 sq. ft. (36.00 sq. meter)
13	Stores	As per requirement of each office but should not be more than sq. ft. (36.00 sq. meter)
14	Drivers Room	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. meter)

2. The total screened requirement of office accommodation determined on the basis of revised scales will be subject to 20% austerity cut.

3. Provision for additional space in a new building, whether in the general pool or in a departmental pool, should be limited to- 10% of total requirement of an office for further expansion and that if a Ministry/Department wants more than 10% of the total requirement as additional space for expansion, they may do so with the approval of their Integrated Finance Division, keeping in view the need for maximum economy.

4. For assessment of prescribed revised scales, the total requirement for office space of the Ministry/Department and its Attached/Subordinate offices located in Delhi/New Delhi has to be given in the enclosed schedule I to IV.

5. The following categories of offices will be treated as eligible for the purpose of provision of General Pool Office Accommodation (GPOA):-

I. An office whose location in Delhi has been approved by the Cabinet / Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA), subject to the condition that this approval has been granted without any restriction on provision of GPOA
II. The office is a part and parcel of the Secretariat of a Ministry or an attached / subordinate office of a Ministry / Department of the Government of India
III. The staff is paid from the consolidated Fund of India

6. This OM supersedes Ministry of Work & Housing & Urban Development O.M. No.11015(2)/75-PoI.IV dated 24.11.76, and Directorate of Estates O.M. No.11015/1/98-Pol.l dated 20.10.87, dated 07.08.98, and dated 20.02.14.

(Anand Singh)
Director of Estates

Source: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1FrUQeCAMMsLWQtWm5fT1ItWEk

Central government to hire 2.8 lakh staff in a year, police, I-T and customs to get lions share

Central government to hire 2.8 lakh staff in a year, police, I-T and customs to get lions share

New Delhi: The size of the central government, particularly police and tax officials, is likely to grow with the Centre’s Budget providing for the recruitment of around 2.80 lakh more staff.

Of this number, more than 1.80 lakh would be recruits to departments of police, income tax, customs and central excise. As of March 2016, the central government had 32.84 lakh staff across 55 departments and ministries, including 13.31 lakh in railways, but excluding defence forces. This is projected to rise to 35.67 lakh by March 2018 if the recruitment goal is achieved.

Strengthening enforcement agencies seems a priority with budgetary allocations made for expansion of police forces (central paramilitary and Delhi Police), taking their strength from 10.07 lakh to 11.13 lakh by March 2018. The Centre in its Budget has provided for the recruitment of around 2.80 lakh more staff. The income tax department, the agency involved in the drive against black money post-demonetisation, is set to expand from the existing strength of 46,000 to 80,000 by March 2018.

Similarly , customs and excise department, which will implement the ambitious goods and services tax regime, will get additional manpower of over 41,000.The current strength of 50,600 for customs and excise staff is to go up to 91,700. A review of the estimated strength of establishment  in the Budget annexures indicates no change in the manpower of railways, the single largest employer (13.31 lakh) other than defence, in the three years till 2018.

Departments of space, atomic energy , cabinet secretariat and the ministries of information and broadcasting and external affairs are some others where sanctioned strength has gone up significantly.

The government had projected to increase its manpower in 2016 by 1.88 lakh but failed to make fresh recruitments in I-T, customs and central excise departments.This led to an erosion in the employee base by at least 21,000 over the strength in 2015. People superannuating far exceeded new employees.

PM Narendra Modi's interest in foreign policy has translated into a significant jump in the strength of the foreign ministry where the government has decided to add over 2,000 employees -up from 9,294 in 2016 to 11,403 in 2018. The I&B ministry , too, has increased its sanctioned strength from 4,012 two years ago to 6,258 in 2018.The cabinet secretariat has been strengthened with manpower to go up from 921 to 1,218 by next year.

TNN

A simple one- page Income Tax Return form for the category of individuals having taxable income upto Rs 5 lakhs other than business income.

A simple one- page Income Tax Return form for the category of individuals having taxable income upto Rs 5 lakhs other than business income.

"Finance Minister Shri Jaitley said that the present burden of taxation is mainly on honest tax payers and salaried employees who are showing their income correctly. Therefore, post-demonetisation, there is a legitimate expectation of this class of people to reduce their burden of taxation."

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

01-February-2017 14:11 IST

Finance Minister reduces the tax rate from 10 to 5 per cent for individual income between Rs 2.5 to Rs 5 lakh.

Finance Minister appeals to all citizens to contribute to Nation Building by making a small payment of 5 per cent tax if their income is falling in this slab.

A simple one- page Income Tax Return form for the category of individuals having taxable income upto Rs 5 lakhs other than business income

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley reduced the rate of taxation from existing 10 per cent to 5 per cent for individual assesses between income of Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs. This would reduce the tax liability of all persons below Rs 5 lakh income either to zero (with rebate) or 50 per cent of their existing liability.

While presenting the General Budget 2017-18 in the Parliament today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Jaitley said that the present burden of taxation is mainly on honest tax payers and salaried employees who are showing their income correctly. Therefore, post-demonetisation, there is a legitimate expectation of this class of people to reduce their burden of taxation. The Finance Minister further said that if a nominal rate of taxation is kept for lower slab, many more people will prefer to come within the tax net. The Finance Minister made an appeal to all the citizens of India to contribute to Nation Building by making a small payment of 5 per cent tax if their income is falling in the lowest slab of Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Jaitley said that the Government is trying to bring within tax-net more people who are evading taxes. So, in order to expand tax net, it is decided to have a simple one-page form to be filed as Income Tax Return for the category of individuals having taxable income upto Rs 5 lakhs other than business income. Also, a person of this category who files income tax return for the first time would not be subjected to any scrutiny in the first year unless there is specific information available with the Department regarding his high value transaction.

In his Budget Speech, the Finance Minister further said that in order not to have duplication of benefit, the existing benefit of rebate available to the same group of beneficiaries is being reduced to Rs 2500, available only to assessees upto income of Rs 3.5 lakhs. The combined effect of both these measures will mean that there would be zero tax liability for people getting income upto Rs 3 lakhs per annum. and the tax liability will only be Rs 2,500 for people with income between Rs 3 and Rs 3.5 lakhs. While the taxation liability of people with income upto Rs 5 lakhs is being reduced to half, all the other categories of tax payers in the subsequent slabs will also get a uniform benefit of Rs 12,500 per person. The total amount of tax foregone on account of this measure is Rs 15,500 crore.

In order to make good some of this revenue loss on account of this relief, a surcharge of 10 per cent of tax payable on categories of individuals whose annual taxable income is between Rs 50 lakhs and Rs 1 crore has been proposed. This is likely to give additional revenue of Rs 2,700 crore.

The Finance Minister said that the direct tax proposals for exemptions, etc. would result in revenue loss of Rs 22,700 crore but after counting for revenue gain of Rs 2,700 crore for additional resource mobilisation proposal, the net revenue loss in direct tax would come to Rs 20,000 crore.

PIB

Budget may bring good news for salaried people

Budget may bring good news for salaried people

New Delhi: Every year when the Union finance minister presents the Budget speech, the ‘salaried people’ looks to him with expectations for reducing their tax liability.

It is possible that there would be some moves in this regard in the coming one.

The salaried people could get some relief as finance minister Arun Jaitley is likely to raise the minimum income threshold for paying personal income tax for those below 60 years of age to Rs 3 lakh a year from Rs 2.5 lakh at present and the deduction limit under Section 80C to Rs 2 lakh in the Union Budget for 2017-18, multiple sources told The Sen Times.

Currently the tax exemption slab is at Rs 2.5 lakh for individuals below 60 years, while deduction under Section 80C is Rs 1.5 lakh.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised the personal income tax exemption limit from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.50 lakh on July 11, 2014 in the Union Budget for 2014-15.

Jaitley may also raise section 80C deductions limit to Rs 2.0 lakh, the sources said.

This move aimed at boosting household savings. The hike in deductions limit for investments by individuals in financial instruments to Rs 2.0 lakh would come as a sigh of relief for the salaried people blatting high inflation.

Investments under Section 80C up in popular tax saving instruments such as the general provident Fund, public provident fund, NPS, national savings scheme, unit-linked insurance plans and equity-linked savings schemes are not taxed up to the allowed threshold.

Section 80C was introduced by the UPA government in 2005-06 with a limit of Rs 1 lakh but UPA government did not revised it since then. Jaitley raised it up to Rs 1.5 lakh in the Union Budget for 2014-15.
Deduction on payment of income tax on interest paid on loans for self occupied houses may be also raised to Rs 2.5 lakh from Rs 2.0 lakh, the sources added.

Union Finance Minister will present the Union Budget on Wednesday.

TST

Salaried peoples expectations from Budget 2017-18

Salaried peoples expectations from Budget 2017-18

New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley unveils the budget on 1 February. The salaried class has a lot of expectations from the Budget. Increase in the personal income tax exemption limit and a higher deduction limit on home loan interest are among the common ones, say analysts.

The following salaried people's expectations from FM Jaitley’s Budget 2017-18:

1. Raise minimum limit for taxable income

Considering the increase in cost of living, the current basic exemption limit of 2.5 lakh should be raised to Rs. 3 lakh. If the minimum limit is increased, it will not only benefit taxpayers at the bottom but also salaried class youth who are starting out as employees.

2. Change in tax slabs

A Change in of tax slabs will be a big balm for the salaried class. Currently, 10 per cent tax is charged on annual income of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, 20 per cent on Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and 30 per cent on income above Rs 10 lakh. The first two slabs can be widened or taxed at a lower rate.

3. Raise exemption limit on allowances

Salaried employees enjoy exemption from tax on several allowances/benefits that the employer provides such as children's education, conveyance, medical reimbursement, house rent and leave travel. The allowance limits were fixed a long time ago and need to be revised in view of inflation.

4. Increase deduction under Section 80C

Currently, deduction under Section 80C of the Income-tax Act is allowed from Rs 150,000 to Rs 300,000. If Jaitley increases the limit, he can boost household savings which can ultimately get invested and power growth.

5. Bring back deduction on infrastructure bonds

The government may reintroduce deduction of Rs 20,000 or actual amount invested, whichever is lower, for investments made in infrastructure bonds. This will also boost spending, spur growth and create more jobs.

6. Offer more incentives for NPS investment

Jaitley can offer more incentives for taxpayers to invest in the National Pension System (NPS). He can increase the deduction under Section 80CCD (1B) to Rs 100,000 from the existing Rs 50,000. He can also being NPS on par with the Employees Provident Fund or Public Provident Fund with respect to exemption of 100 per cent of the accumulated balance on withdrawal, subject to certain conditions.

7. Offer interest subvention on home loans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already offered interest subvention of 3 per cent and 4 per cent for loans of up to Rs 12 lakh and Rs 9 lakh, respectively, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. However, these subventions are targeted at buyers in Tier 3 cities. Budget 2017 has scope of offering interest subvention on larger amounts of loan which will benefit buyers in big cities and other urban areas.

8. Allow higher deduction on home loan EMIs

Currently, the deduction available on interest on home loan is up to Rs 2,00,000. The deduction can be claimed on the principal repayment for up to Rs 1.50 lakh. There is a large scope in both cases to raise the deduction limits.

9. Allow early deduction on home loan EMIs

Deduction for interest on home loan is currently available only after the buyer gets the possession of the property. This means the benefit begins several years after the buyer gets the home loan and begins paying the EMIs. This deduction can be given right from the payment of the first EMI.

10. Raise exemption limit for senior citizens

The existing exemption limit of Rs 300,000 for senior citizens (60 years to less than 80 years) and Rs 500,000 for super senior citizens (80 years and above) could be enhanced to Rs 400,000 and Rs 600,000 respectively.

TST

Tax collection figures for the period April -December 2016 show a positive trend as Direct Taxes grow by 12.01% and Indirect Taxes grow by 25% over the corresponding period last year i.e. April-December 2015

Tax collection figures for the period April -December 2016 show a positive trend as Direct Taxes grow by 12.01% and Indirect Taxes grow by 25% over the corresponding period last year i.e. April-December 2015

Direct Tax and Indirect tax collection figures for the period April 2016 to December 2016 have shown a positive trend as Direct Taxes grow by 12.01% and Indirect Taxes grow by 25% over the corresponding period last year i.e. April-December 2015.

The details in this regard are as follows:

Direct Taxes
The figures for Direct Tax collections up to December, 2016 show that net collections are at Rs. 5.53 lakh crore which is 12.01% more than the net collections for the corresponding period last year. This collection is 65.3% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for F.Y. 2016-17.

As regards the growth rates for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT), in terms of gross revenue collections, the growth rate under CIT is 10.7% while that under PIT (including STT) is 21.7%. However, after adjusting for refunds, the net growth in CIT collections is 4.4% while that in PIT collections is 24.6%. Refunds amounting to Rs.1,26,371 crore have been issued during April-December, 2016, which is 30.5% higher than the refunds issued during the corresponding period last year.

After accounting for the third instalment of advance tax received in December, 2016, the collections under advance tax stand at Rs.2.82 lakh crore, which is 14.4% higher than the figures for the corresponding period of last year. CIT advance tax is growing at 10.6% while PIT advance tax has registered a growth of 38.2%.

Indirect Taxes

The figures for indirect tax collections (Central Excise, Service Tax and Customs) up to December 2016 show that net revenue collections are at Rs 6.30 lakh crore, which is 25% more than the net collections for the corresponding period last year. Till December 2016, about 81% of the Budget Estimates of indirect taxes for Financial Year 2016-17 has been achieved.

As regards Central Excise, net tax collections stood at Rs. 2.79 lakh crore during April-December, 2016 as compared to Rs.1.95 lakh crore during the corresponding period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 43%.

Net Tax collections on account of Service Tax during April-December, 2016 stood at Rs. 1.83 lakh crore as compared to Rs.1.48 lakh crore during the corresponding period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 23.9%.

Net Tax collections on account of Customs during April-December 2016 stood at Rs. 1.67 lakh crore as compared to Rs. 1.60 lakh crore during the same period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 4.1%.

During December 2016, the net indirect tax (with ARM) grew at the rate of 14.2% compared to corresponding month last year. The growth rate in net collection for Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax was -6.3%, 31.6% and 12.4% respectively during the month of December, 2016,
compared to the corresponding month last year. The de-growth in customs collections appear to be on account of a decline of gold imports by about 46% (in volume terms) in December 2016 over December 2015.

Brief of the second meeting of the Committee on Allowances held today under the chairmanship of Secretary, Finance(Expenditure), Government of India

Brief of the second meeting of the Committee on Allowances held today under the chairmanship of Secretary, Finance(Expenditure), Government of India

National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary
No.NC/JCM/2016

Dated: September 1, 2016

All Constituents of
National Council(JCM)

Dear Comrades!

Sub: Brief of the second meeting of the Committee on Allowances held today under the chairmanship of Secretary, Finance(Expenditure), Government of India

To obtain the views of the National Council(Staff Side)(JCM) on the recommendations of 7th CPC relating to Allowances, the second meeting of the Committee on Allowances held today under the chairmanship of Secretary, Finance(Expenditure), Government of India, with the National Council(Staff Side) JCM.
From the Official Side, Secretary(Defence), Home, DoP&T, Postal, Chairman Railway Board, J.S.(Estt.), J.S.(Pers.) and J.S.(IC), and from Staff Side(JCM), all the Standing Committee Members were present in the meeting.

At the outset, Secretary(Staff Side)(JCM) as well as Leader(Staff Side)(JCM) and other Standing Committee Member of the NC/JCM(Staff Side) expressed their anguish for non-formation of High Level Committee as was agreed to by the Group of Ministers(Government of India) for settling the issue of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor.

The Secretary, Finance(Expenditure) told that, the committee constituted under the chairmanship of Addl. Secretary(Exp.) with J.S.(Pers.), JS(Estt.) and JS(Imp.) as Members has been made only for this purpose. Let us believe that, after the meeting, report of the said committee would be sent to the Government of India for its acceptance.

The Secretary, Finance(Expenditure) asked the Staff Side(JCM) to give their viewpoint in a Note on the Common Demands to implement these, and the Departmental grievances to their respective departments, and after that, a meeting will again be called.

Staff Side(JCM) strongly demanded that, date of effect of Allowance should be 01.01.2016. The Staff Side(JCM) explained its position as well about its demand that, House Rent Allowance should be 10%, 20% and 30% and Transport Allowance must be rationalized and exempted from the Income Tax, Children Education Allowance should be Rs.3,000 and Hostel Subsidy should be Rs.10,000 and these should also be exempted from the Income Tax.

Staff Side demanded that, Post Graduate and Professional Courses should also be covered in Children Education Allowance. The issue of Special Duty Allowance was also raised for N.E. Region by the Standing Committee Members of JCM(Staff Side). Fixed Medical Allowance should be Rs.2,000 with Dearness Allowance Indexation, Over Time Allowance must be given, Small Family Allowance should be continued and Dress Allowance needs to be reviewed. Various Departmental Allowances, which have been abolished, should be allowed to continue, like Breakdown Allowance in the Railways and Fixed Conveyance Allowance to Postal Department employees. All the Standing Committee Members raised various issues related to Allowances.

This is for your information.

Comradely yours

sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary Staff Side

Source : ncjcmstaffside

No TDS on Disability Pension to Armed Forces Personnel

No TDS on Disability Pension to Armed Forces Personnel
By Prashant Thakur -February 3, 2016

The tax exemption of disability pension received by Armed Force Personnel are among those exemptions under Income Tax Act for which you may not get a direct reference in the Income Tax Act.

However , such tax exemption are allowed by the executive instruction issued by either Finance Ministry notification or under the delegated powers to CBDT . Armed Forces personnel get the disability pension which is basically aggregate of two components-disability pension and service pension. Previously , this website had posted earlier 3 Types of Pension to Armed Forces Completely Tax Free!

Disability Pension to Armed Forces : What is it ? Update :

The below portion is modified as the government, has issued new circular for minimum disability pension .

The circular is applicable to all Pre-2006 Armed Forces Disability/War Injury Pensioners who were/ are in receipt of Disability Pension/ Liberalized Disability Pension/ War Injury Pension as on 24th September 2012.

Download the Circular 542 dated 27/05/2015

As per the website of Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), where an Armed Forces Personnel is invalided out of service, which is accepted as attributable to or aggravated by military service, he shall be entitled to disability pension consisting of Service Element & Disability Element as follows:-

Service Element The amount of service element shall be determined as 50% of less emoluments drawn as given in para 6 of MOD letter dt- 12.11.2008 which is subject to minimum Rs 3500/- p.m.

Disability Element The rates of disability elements for 100% disability for various ranks shall be 30% of emolument last drawn subject to Rs. 3510/- per month. Disability lower than 100% shall be computed by reducing proportionately.

Disability Element on Invalidment Where an Armed Force personnel is invalided out of service under circumstances mentioned in para 4.1 of Govt. letter dt. 31.01.01, the extent of disability shall be determined as follows for the purpose of computing the DE :- Percentage as finally assessed by Competent AuthorityPercentage to be reckoned for computing DE Between 1 to 4950 Between 50 & 7575 Between 76 &100100 Disability Element on Retirement/Discharge Where an Armed Forces personnel is retained in service despite disability and subsequently retired/ discharged on completion of tenure or on attaining the age of retirement, he shall be entitled to Disability Entitlement at the rate prescribed for 100% disablement. For disablement less than 100% but not below 20%, the rates shall be reduced proportionately.
No disability element shall be payable for disability less than 20% .

Is Disability Pension to Armed Forces Tax Free ?

Yes, although there is nothing in section 10 of the Income Tax Act , which is a general exemption section under Income tax Act , the disability pension has been made tax free through Finance Ministry notification No 878-F (Income Tax) dated 21-3-1922 .

The following instruction from CBDT explains that the entire disability pension is exempt

INSTRUCTION NO 136F.NO. 34/3/68-IT(AI)GOVT OF INDIA CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES NEW DELHI, DATED THE 14TH JAN 1970
FROM :SHRI S N NAUTIALSECRETARY, CBDT

TO:ALL COMMISSIONERS OF INCOME TAX

SUBJECT : EXEMPTION – SERVICE AND DISABILITY ELEMENT OF DISABILITY PENSION GRANTED TO A DISABLED OFFICER OF THE INDIAN ARMY –

WHETHER EXEMPTED FROM INCOME TAX. REFERENCE IS INVITED TO THE BOARD’S LETTER F NO 42/9/59-IT(AI), DATED THE 5TH SEPT 1960 ON THE ABOVE SUBJECT WHEREIN IT WAS MENTIONED THAT IN THE CASES FALLING UNDER ITEM (29) OF FINANCE DEPTT NOTIFICATION NO 878-F (INCOME TAX) DATED 21-3-1922, THE‘DISABILITY ELEMENT’ OF THE DISABILITY PENSION RECEIVED BY AN OFFICER OF THE ARMY WILL ONLY BE EXEMPTED FROM TAX AND THAT THE ‘SERVICE ELEMENT’ WILL BE SUBJECTED TO TAX.

2. ON RECONSIDERATION OF THE MATTER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MINISTRY OF LAW, THE BOARD ARE ADVISED THAT ITEM 29 OF THE NOTIFICATION DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TYPES OF PENSIONS. ACCORDINGLY IN THE CASES FALLING UNDER ITEM 29 OF THE ABOVE NOTIFICATION, ENTIRE DISABILITY PENSION WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM INCOME-TAX.

3.THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF ALL ASSESSING OFFICERS IN YOUR CHARGE. YOURS FAITHFULLY,

SD/- (S N NAUTIAL) SECRETARY ,CBDT

Confusion on Exemption Disability Pension & Service Element As the disability pension is aggregate of two elements- disability element and service element- a confusion was created in filed formation of tax authorities , whether the disability element only is tax free and not the service element. CBDT , therefore , in order to wipe out any confusion , issued another instruction

F. No. 200/51/00-ITA-1 dt. 02.7.2001 to stress that both element of disability pension is tax exempt.
Read the instruction below :

[F. NO. 200/51/00-ITA-1 DT. 02.7.2001 FROM MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPTT. OF REVENUE CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES, NEW DELHI.]

SUBJECT: EXEMPTION FROM INCOME TAX TO DISABILITY PENSION, I.E. ” DISABILITY ELEMENT” AND “SERVICE ELEMENT” OF A DISABLED OFFICER OF THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES- INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING.

REFERENCE HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE BOARD REGARDING EXEMPTION FROM INCOME TAX TO DISABILITY PENSION, I.E. “DISABILITY ELEMENT” AND “SERVICE ELEMENT” OF A DISABLED OFFICER OF THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES.

2. IT APPEARS THAT FIELD FORMATIONS IN CERTAIN CASES ARE NOT UNIFORMLY ALLOWING DISABILITY, PENSION IN SPITE OF BOARD’S INSTRUCTION NO.136 DATED 14TH JANUARY, 970 (F.NO.34/3/68-IT(A.1)).

3. THE MATTER HAS BEEN RE-EXAMINED IN THE BOARD AND IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO REITERATE THAT THE ENTIRE DISABILITY PENSION, I.E. ” DISABILITY ELEMENT” AND “SERVICE ELEMENT” OF A DISABLED OFFICER OF THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES CONTINUES TO BE EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX.

4. THIS MAY BE BOUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF ALL THE OFFICERS WORKING UNDER YOU.
SD/- B.L. SAHU OFFICER ON SPECIAL DUTY (ITA .1)

No TDS on Disability Pension to Army Personnel
As it happens in India, everyone becomes the super authorities against the common man. The government received complaint that certain banks are deducting the tax on the disability pension .

So , government issued a press release that no TDS is required on the said disability pension paid to Armed Forces personnel.
Read below the excerpt. PRESS RELEASE, DATED 20-12-2007

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE PRESS THAT SOME BANKS WERE DEDUCTING TAX FROM PENSION OF DISABLED EX-SERVICEMEN IN VIOLATION OF GOVERNMENT INSTRUCTIONS.

RBI WAS REQUESTED TO HAVE THE MATTER INVESTIGATED AND REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN. AFTER EXAMINATION, RBI DISCOVERED THAT IN ONE SPECIFIC INSTANCE, DUE TO OVERSIGHT, THE PENSIONER’S DISABILITY PENSION WAS WRONGLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHILE CALCULATING INCOME-TAX.

RBI HAS ISSUED INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL AGENCY BANKS TO STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARA 88.3 OF DEFENCE PENSION PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS, 2005, REGARDING EXEMPTION OF INCOME-TAX OF THE DISABILITY PENSION OF THE PENSIONERS OF ARMED FORCES.

BANKS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO ISSUE SUITABLE INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL THEIR PENSION DISBURSING BRANCHES THAT INCOME-TAX SHOULD NOT BE DEDUCTED FROM THE DISABILITY PENSION PAID TO THE PENSIONERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

Conclusion

The disability pension given to Armed Forces Personnel are having two components-disability element & service element. Both are tax free vide Ministry of Finance notification read with clarification from CBDT and also there can not eb any TDS as the amount is fully tax free.

Pay Commission recommended Service Rules – DOPT instructions

Pay Commission recommended Service Rules – DOPT instructions

It has been observed by DoPT that several recommendations of Pay Commission have not been incorporated in the Service Rules.

Pay Commission recommended Service Rules – DoPT’s Instructions on Review of Service Rules as per recommendations of Pay Commission

CBDT notification of Review of service Rules as per recommendations of Pay Commission

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DIRECTORATE OF INCOME TAX
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES
ICADR Building, Plot No. 6, Vasant Kunj Institutional Area Phase-II,

New Delhi- 110070. Ph. 26139295, Fax 26130594.
F. No. HRD/AD/854/1/2015-16/760
06.05.2016

To,
All Pr. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCA)/
Pr. Director General of Income Tax

Sub: Review of Service Rules reference received from DoPT-reg.

Ref: DoPT’s O.M. No. AB.14017/61l2008-Estt. (RR) dated 17.03.2016
Kindly refer to the above.

2. The administration of cadre(s) of the Organized Services of the Union is done based upon the provisions as contained in the Service Rules(s). The policy change(s) in terms of financial up-gradation, grant of promotion, composition of various Committee(s) for promotion, qualifying service in various grades, are brought for the benefit of the members of the Service. It has been observed by DoPT that several recommendations of Pay Commission have not been incorporated in the Service Rules. (Copy of OM is enclosed).

3. In this regard, I am directed to request all the Pr.CCITs(CCA)/Pr.DGITs to undertake revision of Service Rules of Organised Services under their administrative control. I am further directed to request all the Pr.CCITs(CCA)/ Pr.DGITs to indicate the time frame by which they would revise the Service Rules of organised Services under their administrative control.

Yours Faithfully,

(S.N. Meena)

DDIT(POL), HRD

No. AB-14017/61/2008-Estt.(RR)
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

New Delhi
Dated: the 17th March, 2016

 OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Review of Service Rules – regarding

The administration of cadre(s) of the Organized Services of the Union is done based upon the provisions as contained in the Service Rules(s). The policy change(s) in terms of financial up-gradation, grant of promotion, composition of various Committee(s) for promotion, qualifying service in various grades, are brought for the benefit of the members of the Service. it is seen that several recommendations of Pay Commission have not been incorporated in the Service Rules.

2. The Cadre Controlling Authorities are, therefore. requested to undertake revision of Service Rules of Organized Services under their administrative control. The Cadre Controlling Authorities may indicate the time frame by which they would revise the Service Rules of Organized Services under their administrative control.

(G. Jayanthi)

Director (E-I)

Ration Money Allowance should be exempt from Income Tax – 7th CPC Report

Ration Money Allowance should be exempt from Income Tax – 7th CPC Report

Ration Money Allowance (RMA) : Ration Money Allowance (RMA) is paid to all personnel of Defence forces and nongazetted personnel of CAPFs, Delhi Police, IB, A&N police and such personnel of Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBn) as are posted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and don’t dine in the mess. The existing rate of this allowance is ?95.52 per day for Non-Gazetted personnel and Rs.79.93 per day for Gazetted personnel.

There are demands to extend RMA to gazetted officers of CAPFs in line with Defence forces. Demands have also been received from some CAPFs that RMA should be exempted from the purview of income tax.

Analysis and Recommendations : Ration Money Allowance is revised periodically by Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home for their personnel. Hence, it is proposed that status quo be maintained regarding the rates of this allowance.

However, regarding the admissibility of RMA, PBORs of CAPFs and Indian Coast Guard should be eligible to draw RMA irrespective of the place of posting (except when in receipt of the Detachment Allowance). Presently, officers of SSB who are posted in field areas at altitudes of less than 7000 feet are not eligible for RMA. This restriction of 7000 feet should be removed.

Regarding income tax exemption of RMA, the Commission, as part of its general approach, has refrained from making recommendations involving income tax. However, looking into the unique service conditions of CAPFs, the Commission is of the view that since RMA is granted in lieu of free rations, it should be exempt from income tax.

It is further recommended that the provision of free rations and the grant of Ration Money Allowance to officers of Defence forces posted in peace areas should be withdrawn.