8.17.11 CEA is paid to government employees to take care of schooling and hostel requirements of their children. The rates of CEA are double for a differently abled child.
8.17.12 Many demands have been
received regarding CEA. It has been requested that the amount be
suitably raised and CEA should be extended for Graduation/Post
Graduation level studies also. The Commission has received an
overwhelming number of requests for simplification of the procedure for
reimbursement.
Analysis and Recommendations
8.17.13 Before VI CPC
recommendations, the scheme was known as Children Education Assistance
and provided at the following rates:-
8.17.17 On the whole, the Commission
is of the view that quantum of CEA should be calibrated in such a
manner that the main objective is met without the government entering
into the field of subsidizing private education. Hence, taking into
account the various items of expenditure that are reimbursed as a part
of this allowance, the following is recommended:-
Simplification of Procedure for
Reimbursement. This is a major area of concern. Many representations
have been received by the Commission wherein employees have stated that
due to cumbersome procedures, reimbursement has been held up for years.
Another issue is the kind of voucher which will be accepted and which
kind of voucher will not. The issue has been examined, and the
apprehensions expressed are not without merit.
It is recommended that reimbursement should be done just once a year, after completion of the financial year (which for most schools coincides with the Academic year). For CEA, a certificate from the head of institution where the ward of government employee studies should be sufficient for this purpose. The certificate should confirm that the child studied in the school during the previous academic year. For Hostel Subsidy, a similar certificate from the head of institution should suffice, with the additional requirement that the certificate should mention the amount of expenditure incurred by the government servant towards lodging and boarding in the residential complex. The amount of expenditure mentioned, or the ceiling as mentioned in the table above, whichever is lower, shall be paid to the employee.
It is recommended that reimbursement should be done just once a year, after completion of the financial year (which for most schools coincides with the Academic year). For CEA, a certificate from the head of institution where the ward of government employee studies should be sufficient for this purpose. The certificate should confirm that the child studied in the school during the previous academic year. For Hostel Subsidy, a similar certificate from the head of institution should suffice, with the additional requirement that the certificate should mention the amount of expenditure incurred by the government servant towards lodging and boarding in the residential complex. The amount of expenditure mentioned, or the ceiling as mentioned in the table above, whichever is lower, shall be paid to the employee.
