Dress Allowance - DoE OM No.190511/2017-E.IV dated 02.08.2017

Office Memorandum Regarding Dress Allowance

1. Introduction
The Office Memorandum (OM) No.190511/2017-E.IV, issued by the Government of India's Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure on 2nd August 2017, outlines the implementation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations regarding Dress Allowance for Central Government employees. This OM consolidates various uniform-related allowances into a single Dress Allowance, streamlining the process and ensuring uniformity across departments.

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2. Key Provisions of the OM

a. Consolidation of Allowances
The OM subsumes multiple existing uniform-related allowances, including:

• Clothing Allowance

• Initial Equipment Allowance

• Kit Maintenance Allowance

• Robe Allowance

• Robe Maintenance Allowance

• Shoe Allowance

• Uniform Allowance

• Washing Allowance

These allowances are replaced by a single Dress Allowance, simplifying the administrative process.

b. Revised Rates of Dress Allowance

Also read :Contribution of Government for NPS to the Central Government Employees roll back from 14% to 10%

The Dress Allowance rates are categorized based on employee roles and responsibilities:

S.No.	Category of Employee	Rate per Annum (in Rs.)
1.	Special Protection Group (SPG) Operational	27,800/-
	Special Protection Group (SPG) Non-operational	21,225/-
2.	Officers of Army/IAF/Navy/CAPFs/CPOs/RPF/RPSF/IPS/Coast Guard	20,000/-
3.	MNS Officers, Officers of DANIPS/ACP of Delhi Police/Other Union Territories	15,000/-
4.	Executive staff of Customs, Central Excise, Narcotics Dept., ICLS Officers, etc.	10,000/-
5.	Other staff (e.g., Trackmen, Running Staff of Railways, MTS, Canteen Staff, etc.)	5,000/-
6.	Nurses	1,800/- per month

c. Key Features of the Allowance

• Annual Payment: The allowance is credited once a year in July.

• Coverage: It covers only the basic uniform; special clothing (e.g., for Siachen Glacier, submarines, or high-altitude postings) will continue to be provided separately.

• Maintenance and Washing: These costs are included in the Dress Allowance and will not be paid separately.

• Outfit Allowance: Enhanced by 50% for Indian Foreign Service officers and employees.

• DA-Linked Increase: The allowance increases by 25% each time the Dearness Allowance (DA) rises by 50%.

d. Discontinuation of Uniform Provision
Employees who were previously provided uniforms will no longer receive them; instead, they will receive the Dress Allowance to procure their uniforms.

e. Effective Date
The new rates are effective from 1st July 2017.

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3. Implementation and Coordination

• Ministry-Specific Orders: Separate orders will be issued by relevant ministries (Defence, Home Affairs, Railways, etc.) for their employees.

• Consultation with C&AG: The OM is issued in consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India for employees in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department.

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4. Rationale and Impact

• Simplification: Replacing multiple allowances with a single Dress Allowance reduces administrative complexity.

• Uniformity: Ensures consistent rates across similar categories of employees.

• Also read :Salaries and pensions will not be affected – FinMin

  Flexibility: Employees can use the allowance as per their needs, promoting efficiency.

• Cost-Effectiveness: The allowance is designed to adjust with inflation (linked to DA), ensuring its relevance over time.

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5. Conclusion
The OM represents a significant step toward rationalizing allowances for Central Government employees, aligning with the Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations. By consolidating allowances and introducing a structured payment system, the government aims to enhance transparency, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and ensure fair compensation for uniform-related expenses.

Attachments:

• Hindi version of the OM is enclosed as per standard practice.

Issued by:
Annie George Mathew
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

Distribution:
All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, C&AG, UPSC, and other relevant bodies.