Rule 245 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Government Employees Welfare Grants

Rule 245 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Government Employees Welfare Grants

Original Rule Text

Rule 245 (1) Regulation of recurring Grants-in-aid for Government employees’ welfare: –a. Grants-in-aid for provision of amenities or of recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the offices of the Government are regulated under orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued from time to time. The admissibility of the Grants-in-aid for the welfare of the employees of the Government should be regulated in the following manner: -(i) The Grant in aid will be admissible on the basis of the total strength borne on the regular strength of an organization, i.e., Ministry or Department, etc., and its Attached and Subordinate Offices and such statutory bodies whose budget forms part of Consolidated Fund of India, irrespective of the fact whether any individual is a member of the staff club, etc., or not. However, Grant-in- aid in respect of Gazetted Officers will be admissible only to that Ministry or Department or Office where membership of recreation club is open to such officers.Staff paid from contingencies, work-charged staff etc., will not be taken into calculation for this purpose. Staff eligible for similar concession under some other rule or statutory provision, e.g., industrial workers will also not be covered by these orders.(ii) Amounts of Grants-in-aid. (a) The rate of the Grant-in-aid will be Rupees fifty per head per annum. In addition to this, an additional Grant-in-aid up to Rupees twenty-five per head per annum to match the subscriptions collected during the previous financial year by the existing staff clubs will be admissible. In the case of staff clubs which are started during the financial year in which Grant-in-aid is to be given, an additional matching grants- in-aid up to Rupees twenty-five per head per annum, to match the subscription collected by such clubs up to the date on which the proposal for the Grant is mooted, may be sanctioned. The total strength of the eligible staff will be that existing on the thirty-first March of the previous financial year or that on the date on which proposal for Grant is mooted in the case of new staff clubs above rates, as revised from time to time will apply.(iii) An illustrative list of items on which expenditure can be incurred out of Grants-in-aid sanctioned by Government for provision of amenities is given below:i. Articles of sports – Outdoor and indoor games equipmentii. Cost of uniforms, etc., supplied to teams of players.iii. Magazines and periodicals.iv. Entry fee for tournamentsv. Hiring of playgroundsvi. Hiring and repair for furniture, etc.,vii. Purchase of furniture.viii. Conveyance expenses incurred locally.ix. Entertainments.x. Prizes.xi. Film shows.xii. Hiring of accommodation for Club/Association, etc.xiii. Cultural, Sports and Physical development programme(s).xiv. Inter-Ministerial meets.xv. Inter-Departmental meets(2) A maximum one-time Grant of Rupees fifty thousand may be sanctioned for setting up of a Recreation Club.(3) Grants-in-aid to the Ministry or Departments of the Central Government and their Attached and Subordinate Offices will be allocated by the concerned Ministry or Department on receipt of formal requests in the prescribed manner. For the purposes of these Grants-in-aid, the Departments of the Central Government and their attached and Subordinate Offices will be treated as a single unit. It will be the responsibility of that Ministry or Department to distribute the amount further to its Attached and Subordinate Offices and to their different clubs. The accounts of these clubs for the preceding year duly audited by an Internal Auditor should be obtained immediately after the close of the financial year in any case by the thirtieth April by the Ministry or Department before allocating funds for the next financial year.(4) Grants-in-aid for the provision of amenities or recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are regulated by separate orders.

Visual Summary

Purpose

Supports staff amenities, recreation, and welfare facilities.

Eligibility

Regular staff, excluding specific categories. Gazetted officers if club is open.

Grant Amount

Rs. 50/head/year + matching Rs. 25. One-time Rs. 50,000 for new clubs.

Executive Summary

Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017, outlines the regulations for recurring Grants-in-aid provided by the Government for the welfare, recreational, and amenity facilities of its employees. These grants are primarily administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Eligibility is based on the regular strength of an organization, excluding certain staff categories like those paid from contingencies or industrial workers. Gazetted officers are eligible only if the recreation club is open to them. The rule specifies a grant rate of Rupees fifty per head per annum, with an additional matching grant of up to Rupees twenty-five per head per annum based on subscriptions collected by staff clubs. A one-time grant of Rupees fifty thousand is also permissible for establishing new recreation clubs. The rule details the types of expenditures permissible from these grants and establishes a clear allocation and accountability framework for Ministries and Departments to distribute funds to their attached and subordinate offices, requiring audited accounts for the preceding year before further allocations.

In-Depth Analysis of the Rule

Rule 245 provides a comprehensive framework for the provision and management of recurring grants aimed at enhancing the welfare and recreational opportunities for Central Government employees. This rule ensures a standardized approach to funding staff clubs and associations, promoting employee well-being and morale.

Breakdown of the Rule:
  • **Purpose and Scope:** Grants-in-aid are specifically for providing amenities, recreational, or welfare facilities to the staff of Government offices, regulated by Ministry of Home Affairs orders.
  • **Eligibility Criteria:** Admissibility is based on the total regular strength of an organization, including Ministries, Departments, and their attached/subordinate offices, whose budget is part of the Consolidated Fund of India. Staff paid from contingencies, work-charged staff, or industrial workers (eligible for other concessions) are excluded. Gazetted Officers are eligible only if the recreation club is open to them.
  • **Grant Amounts:**
    • **Annual Recurring Grant:** Rupees fifty per head per annum.
    • **Additional Matching Grant:** Up to Rupees twenty-five per head per annum, matching subscriptions collected by existing staff clubs in the previous financial year. For new clubs, this matches subscriptions collected up to the proposal date.
    • **One-Time Grant:** A maximum of Rupees fifty thousand for setting up a new Recreation Club.
  • **Permissible Expenditures:** An illustrative list includes sports equipment, uniforms for teams, magazines, tournament entry fees, playground hiring, furniture purchase/repair, conveyance, entertainments, prizes, film shows, accommodation for clubs, cultural/sports/physical development programs, and inter-Ministerial/Departmental meets.
  • **Allocation and Accountability:** Grants are allocated by the concerned Ministry or Department upon formal request. The Ministry/Department is responsible for further distribution to its attached and subordinate offices. Audited accounts for the preceding financial year must be obtained by April 30th before allocating funds for the next year.
  • **Exclusion:** Grants for the Indian Audit and Accounts Department staff welfare are governed by separate orders.
Practical Example:

Consider a Central Government Department with 500 eligible regular staff members. For the current financial year, the staff club collected Rs. 10,000 in subscriptions. According to Rule 245, the Department would be eligible for a recurring grant of 500 staff * Rs. 50/head = Rs. 25,000. Additionally, it could receive a matching grant of up to Rs. 25/head, capped at the actual subscriptions collected. Since Rs. 25/head * 500 staff = Rs. 12,500, and only Rs. 10,000 was collected, the matching grant would be Rs. 10,000. The total grant for the year would be Rs. 35,000. If this were a new club, it could also apply for a one-time grant of Rs. 50,000 for initial setup. The Department would need to ensure the club submits its audited accounts by April 30th for the previous year to receive the next year’s allocation.

Related Provisions

Understanding Rule 245 is enhanced by considering other rules related to grants and financial management:

Learning Aids

Mnemonics:
  • **W.E.L.F.A.R.E. Grants:** **W**elfare, **E**ligibility (Regular Staff), **L**imits (Rs. 50/25/50k), **F**acilities (Sports, Culture), **A**llocation (Ministry/Dept), **R**equires (Audited Accounts), **E**xclusions (IA&AD).
Process Flowchart:
Grant Request InitiatedReceive Formal RequestIs StaffEligible?NoRequest RejectedYesCalculate Grant AmountAllocate FundsDistribute FundsObtain Audited AccountsNext Year Funds Allocated

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the primary purpose of recurring Grants-in-aid under Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?

  • A) To fund capital infrastructure projects.
  • B) To provide amenities and welfare facilities for Government employees.
  • C) To support private sector enterprises.
  • D) To cover operational costs of autonomous bodies.
Show Answer

Correct Answer: B

2. According to Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017, which staff category is generally excluded from the calculation for Grants-in-aid for employee welfare?

  • A) Regular strength staff of Ministries.
  • B) Staff paid from contingencies.
  • C) Staff of Attached and Subordinate Offices.
  • D) Gazetted Officers whose club membership is open.
Show Answer

Correct Answer: B

3. What is the annual recurring rate of Grant-in-aid per head for eligible staff under Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?

  • A) Rupees twenty-five.
  • B) Rupees fifty.
  • C) Rupees seventy-five.
  • D) Rupees one hundred.
Show Answer

Correct Answer: B

4. Rule 245 (2) of the General Financial Rules, 2017, specifies a maximum one-time grant for setting up a Recreation Club. What is this amount?

  • A) Rupees ten thousand.
  • B) Rupees twenty-five thousand.
  • C) Rupees fifty thousand.
  • D) Rupees one lakh.
Show Answer

Correct Answer: C

5. By what date must staff clubs submit their audited accounts for the preceding year to the Ministry or Department before allocating funds for the next financial year, as per Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?

  • A) 31st March.
  • B) 30th April.
  • C) 31st May.
  • D) 30th June.
Show Answer

Correct Answer: B

Frequently Asked Questions

Who regulates the Grants-in-aid for Government employees’ welfare under Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?

These grants are regulated under orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Can staff paid from contingencies receive grants under Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?

No, staff paid from contingencies, work-charged staff, or industrial workers eligible for similar concessions under other rules are not covered by these orders.

What is the maximum one-time grant for setting up a new Recreation Club as per Rule 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?

A maximum one-time grant of Rupees fifty thousand may be sanctioned for setting up a Recreation Club.

Key Takeaways

  • Rule 245 governs recurring grants for government employee welfare, recreation, and amenities.
  • Eligibility is for regular staff, with specific exclusions and conditions for Gazetted Officers.
  • Grants include an annual per-head amount, a matching subscription component, and a one-time setup grant for new clubs.
  • Ministries/Departments are responsible for allocation and must obtain audited accounts annually for accountability.

Conclusion

Rule 245 is vital for fostering a supportive and engaging work environment within the Central Government by systematically providing financial assistance for employee welfare activities. Its detailed provisions ensure transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of funds, contributing significantly to employee morale and overall organizational health.

Related posts:

  1. Rule 238 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Utilization Certificates
  2. Rule 230 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Principles and Procedure for award of Grantsinaid
  3. Rule 244 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Other Grants
  4. Rule 231 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Grants to Voluntary Organisations