Ration Allowances (NRA and SRA)

This guide explains Normal Ration Allowance (NRA) and Special Ration Allowance (SRA) for PBORs to cover food expenses. Follow these steps to ensure correct entitlements and avoid rejections.

Key Points for Ration Allowances

Topic	Details
Authority	Para 172 P&A Reg (OR), AI 28/90, AI 18/76, QMG letter 22 Jul 2013, CGDA Circular 4 Aug 2000.
Types	NRA: For no free rations or convenience. SRA: For specific conditions (e.g., leave travel, camps).
Rates	Notified annually from 1 Apr; SRA includes mineral water/ice allowance.
Process	DO Part-II with non-issue certificate; paid via bank after PAO verification.

(A) Normal Ration Allowance (NRA)

Aspect	Details
Conditions	Lower: No free rations, personal choice. Higher: Sickness, no rations supplied, distance to ration stand. Special: Para 172(d-n).
Rules	Recruits: NRA on leave. Sick leave: NRA after 75 days. No free rations on leave. Inter-Service Orgs: AI 18/76 scales. OC sanctions, specifies higher rate reasons.

(B) Special Ration Allowance (SRA)

Aspect	Details
Conditions	Rail/road leave, movement control, temp duty/camps, courier/secret equipment duty, patient/TB patient travel (no rations).
Rules	NCC: NRA only, SRA for camps (sanctioned). Camps: Actual expenses, max AI 28/90 rates. Sea travel: Actual diet costs. No Daily Allowance with SRA.

Checklist for Ration Allowances

Check	Document/Action	Notes
✔️	DO Part-II Order	NRA: Non-issue certificate, higher rate reasons. SRA: Specify condition (e.g., leave, camp).
✔️	Eligibility Confirmation	NRA: No rations, sickness/distance. SRA: Leave, temp duty, etc.
✔️	Sanction	NRA: OC. SRA: BDE/Sub Area (camps >10 days), NCC HQ (camps).
✔️	Certificates	Non-issue of rations; medical (NRA sickness, SRA TB); shipping diet (SRA sea travel).
✔️	Bank Details	Submit NEFT Mandate Form.
✔️	Service Book Entry	Confirm NRA/SRA grant recorded.
✔️	Ink-Signed Claim	Submit, countersigned by OC/CO.
✔️	Verification	Check pay slips for NRA/SRA amount.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Issue
Overlapping with Temporary Duty Allowance (TYOJ).
Missing DO Part-II or non-issue certificate.
NRA claimed with free rations issued.
SRA claimed for non-eligible conditions.
Missing sanction for SRA (camps, NCC).
No medical certificate for NRA/SRA.
NRA/SRA claimed with Daily Allowance.
Incorrect bank details or missing service book entry.

Quick Tips

Tip
Ensure DO Part-II includes non-issue certificate and conditions.
Verify eligibility for NRA/SRA.
Submit medical certificate for NRA (sickness) or SRA (TB).
Obtain sanction for SRA camps/NCC.
Check pay slips for correct NRA/SRA amount.
Keep copies of DO Part-II, certificates, NEFT Mandate Form, pay slips.
Ensure service book reflects NRA/SRA.
Report issues to PAO/unit promptly.