12 August 2010
Food coupon is exempted upto rs. 50 each meal.
Free Meals: The perquisite of free means vary widely from uniform canteen food, coupons etc. to lavish hotel meals. The feature of free meals as a staff welfare measure has been recognised and is exempted upto Rs.35 for each meal by an earlier notification. The new rule allows expenditure on food upto Rs.50/-. Such free or subsidised meal should however be provided at office premises or through non transferable vouchers means for only meals during working hours. These vouchers should be provided by employers encashable only at eating joints. Tea and snacks during working hours are also not charged as perquisite. Also arrangements for meals in ‘remote areas’ and offshore installations shall be exempt. The definition of remote area shall be the same as that associated with the accommodation sub-rule one located at least 40 kilometres away from a town having a population not exceeding 20,000 as per the last published all India census.
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