Circular No. 90-Income Tax With the issue of orders in the Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure), O.M. No. F. 1(34) E-II(B)/68, dated 18-1-1969, “dearness pay” is considered as “pay” for purposes of pension and gratuity and compensatory allowance (including house rent allowance, etc.) in the case of Central Government servants. It is, therefore, clarified that for the purposes of calculating the house rent allowance that would be exempt under rule 2A, the term “salary” includes “dearness pay” also. Where State Government servants are being paid “dearness pay” as in the case of Central Government employee, the clarification given above will apply.
