Newspaper Allowance for Central Government Employees
The Government of India provides reimbursement of newspaper expenses to eligible Central Government officers to help them stay informed about current affairs, government policies, and administrative developments. This facility is granted as part of welfare and functional allowances to ensure that officers handling key administrative responsibilities remain well-informed through regular access to newspapers.
Background
The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has been regulating the reimbursement of newspaper purchases at the residences of officers. Earlier guidelines were issued in 1996, which were later revised through Office Memorandum No. 25(12)/E.Coord-2018, dated 3rd April 2018, to update the rates and simplify the procedure of reimbursement.
Revised Guidelines (as per O.M. dated 03.04.2018)
Under the revised system, instead of submitting newspaper bills for reimbursement, officers are now required to provide a self-certification confirming that expenditure has been incurred on newspaper purchase. The reimbursement will be made on a monthly basis as per the rates indicated below:
| S. No. | Level of Officers | Reimbursement to be made per month (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secretary / Secretary equivalent | As per actual expenditure |
| 2 | Additional Secretary / Additional Secretary equivalent | ₹1,100 |
| 3 | Joint Secretary / Joint Secretary equivalent | ₹850 |
| 4 | Director / Deputy Secretary / Under Secretary / Section Officer or equivalent | ₹500 |
Certification and Claim Procedure
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Officers must furnish a certificate (as per the prescribed annexure) on a half-yearly basis to their respective administrative offices.
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The certificate should state that an amount equivalent to the approved limit has been spent on newspaper purchase for official and personal information purposes.
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No submission of actual newspaper bills is required.
Supersession of Earlier Orders
This Office Memorandum supersedes all previous guidelines issued by the Department of Expenditure on the subject of newspaper reimbursement. Hence, all ministries, departments, and attached offices are to follow the updated procedure and rates henceforth.
Effective Date
The revised orders have been made effective immediately from the date of issue — 3rd April 2018.
Distribution
The memorandum has been circulated to:
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All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India
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All Financial Advisors of Ministries/Departments
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Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India
Purpose and Utility
The reimbursement of newspaper expenses is not merely a financial allowance but a measure to ensure that officers are well-informed and equipped with knowledge of current national and international developments. This awareness supports effective policy formulation, decision-making, and communication within the government system.
Conclusion
The Newspaper Reimbursement Scheme for Central Government officers reflects the Government’s recognition of the importance of timely access to information. The 2018 revision streamlined the process by replacing bill submissions with certification and updating reimbursement rates to more practical levels. This not only reduces administrative burden but also ensures that officers across all levels remain updated and informed in their professional duties.
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