Children' education allowance: Government removes age bar

NEW DELHI: Extending benefits to its employees, the Centre has decided to remove the minimum age bar of five years for claiming educational allowance and hostel subsidy for their children.

The move, which will benefit lakhs of workers, comes after the government received a number of representations and decided to get the matter duly examined by the Ministry of Finance.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has written to all concerned ministries and departments to inform their respective employees that minimum age of five years mentioned for children pursuing education stands removed.

"Henceforth, there will be no minimum age for any child for claiming reimbursement of children allowance/hostel subsidy," the ministry said.

It also directed that "development fee/parents' contribution charged by the school/institution in lieu of tuition fee shall be reimbursed. The government servant will have to certify to the effect that tuition fee has not been charged by the school/institution".

It, however, clarified that reimbursement of school bags, pens/pencils, etc may not be allowed.