Clarification regarding relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC

Clarification regarding relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC.

 

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

No. 43020/21 2016-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: February 19, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Clarification regarding relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s o.M. No. 31011/412014- Estt.A-IV dated 19.06.2014 and subsequent o.M. regarding the procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC, (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

Also check: LTC for New Joining Central Government Employees - FAQ

2. In this regard, many cases pertaining to the period of 2010-13 have been reported in this Department where Government employees had traveled on LTC by air to visit Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and North-East Region (NER) under the special dispensation scheme after booking the tickets through private travel agents due to lack of awareness of rules at that time. It has been observed that claims of these Government servants were initially settled by the administrative authorities. However, after few years when the audit authorities noticed the lapses, objections were raised on these claims and recoveries were ordered in such cases along with charging of penal interest. In view of the financial hardships caused to these individuals, huge demands are being received from Ministries/ Departments and JCM for grant of one time relaxation in these cases.

The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with Joint consultative Machinery - staff side and Department of Expenditure. It has been decided to grant one time relaxation to such Government employees who had availed LTC by air to visit J&K and NER during the period of January. 2010 - June. 2014 and booked the tickets through travel agents other than ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & company’, ‘M/s Ashok travels & Tours’ and 'IRCTC' due to lack of awareness of rules. such relaxation shall be granted with the concurrence of Financial Advisor of the concerned Ministry/ Department. Fulfillment of fare limit of LTC-80 and other LTC conditions prevalent at the time of performance of journey by the Government servants may be ascertained before granting such relaxations. The Administrative Ministries/ Departments shall also ensure that only those cases are considered for relaxation where it is established that bonafide mistake has occured and no undue benefit has accrued to/obtained by the Government servant.

Further, in this regard, it is reiterated that the extant instructions regarding booking of air tickets on LTC journey through authorized modes should be strictly complied with. It is seen that despite reiterating the above provisions from time to time, this Department is still in receipt of cases seeking relaxation for booking of tickets from private travel agents on the grounds of lack of awareness of rules and work-exigencies. Therefore, Ministries/ Departments are again advised to ensure wide circulation of this Department’s instructions issued vide O.M. No. 310111212018-Estt.A-IV dated 10.12.2018, among their employees. Henceforth, the cases seeking relaxation on the plea of lack of awareness of rules and on grounds of exigencies of work shall not be considered by this Department. Only those cases, where the Administrative Ministry/ Department will certify the fact that bonafide mistake has occured and undue hardship is being caused to the Government servant, shall be considered by this Department.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/ Departments of Government of India
(As per the standard list)

SCOVA – 31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP)

SCOVA – 31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP)

SCOVA

31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP)

42/03/2019-P&PW (D)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, P.G and Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3 Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Date: 30th July, 2019

To

All the Pensioners’ Associations included in the SCOVA
vide Resolution dated 31.01.2018

Sub:- 31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) – Intimation regarding Date, Time and Venue. reg

In continuation of this Department’s OM of even no. dated 13.07.2019 regarding holding of 31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP), the date, time and venue of the meeting is as under:-

Date and Time :- September 6, 2019 (Friday) at 10 a.m.
Venue – Committee Room-A, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi

Due to constraint of the space, only one representative may attend the above said meeting. It is requested that the name of the member nominated to attend the meeting may kindly be sent to the undersigned.

Only outstation member will be paid TA/DA and local members will be paid conveyance charges in accordance with the rules/instructions. Outstation members will be paid TA/DA as per their last entitlement on retirement. Representatives of Pensioners Associations who are entitled for journey by air and also entitled to journey by air as per this Department’s letter no. 42/11/2014-P&PW(G) dated 19.05.2014 may purchase their Air Tickets from Air India only (at Booking Counters/website of Air India) or by utilizing the services of authorized travel agency i.e Balmer Lawrie & Company /IRCTC /M/s Ashok Travels & Tours.

It is requested to fill up the Mandate Form enclosed. The TA/DA reimbursement would be made through e-payment mode afterwards.

Encl: as above

Sd/-

(Charanjit Taneja)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: Pensioners Portal

DoPT: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- compliance of instructions

DoPT: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- compliance of instructions regarding.

No. 31011/2/2018-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-10001
Dated: December 10, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC - compliance of instructions regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No. 31011/5/2014-Estt.A-IV dated 24.09.2014, 23.09.2015 and 21.08.2017 on the procedure for booking of air tickets on LTC and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

2. In this regard, it is observed that despite reiterating the above instructions from time to time, this Department still continues to receive numerous references from various Ministries/Departments and individuals seeking relaxation for booking of air tickets for the purpose of LTC through private travel agents. In most of the cases, the common reasons cited by the Government employees are lack of awareness of the rules and work exigencies.

3. Therefore, all the Ministries/Departments are advised to ensure wide circulation and strict compliance of the guidelines stated in para 1 of this OM. This point may also be emphasized by the Administration whenever any advance is sought or intention to avail LTC is conveyed by the Government servant. It is stated that henceforth only those cases, where it is established that bonafide mistake has occured and the Administrative Ministry/Department is satisfied that undue hardship is being caused to the Government servant, shall be considered by this Department for relaxation provided that the information is received in the Proforma enclosed along with supporting documents.
End.: As above

(Surya Na ayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India
(As per the standard list)

Source: DoPT

DoPT Order: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC

DoPT Order: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC

“Non-entitled Government servants travelling by air on LTC and claiming entitled rail fare, the condition of booking the air tickets through authorised travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' may not be insisted upon”

No.31011/5/2014-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: August 21, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC - clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 23.09.2015 on the subject noted above and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

2. In this regard, references are received in this Department seeking clarification whether the aforesaid condition of booking the tickets through authorized travel agents needs to be followed in cases where a non-entitled Government servant travels by air on LTC and claims the entitled train fare.

3. The matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and it is hereby clarified that in case of non-entitled Government servants travelling by air on LTC and claiming entitled rail fare, the condition of booking the air tickets through authorised travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' may not be insisted upon. In rest of the cases, the condition of booking the tickets through authorised modes shall continue to follow.

Enclosure: As above

sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Click to view the order
Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air

Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air

To
The Secretary, OFB, ID-A, S.K. Bose Rd, Kol-01
All Sr. General Managers/All General Managers
Ordnance/ Equipments Factories.
All Group controllers & Branch AOs

Sub: Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air

Kindly refer to DoP&T letter No.31011/3/2015-Estt(A.lV) dated 18/02/2016 wherein it is mentioned under points 14 & 15 that Govt employees not entitled to travel by air, may travel by any airline. However, reimbursement in such cases shall be restricted to the fare of their entitled class of train/transport or actual expense, whichever is less. In all cases whenever a Govt servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either directly through the airlines or through the approved travel agencies viz M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd/ M/s Ashok Tours & Travels Ltd/ IRCTC. Booking of tickets through any other agency is not permissible.

This is for your information, guidance and necessary action please.

Dy.Controller
Accounts(Fys)

Authority: http://pcafys.nic.in/

Facilitation Fee levied by authorized travel agents on air tickets book on Government account

PCA (Fys) Kolkata Circular on Facilitation Fee levied by authorized travel agents for air tickets booked on Government account.

Office of the PCA (Fys) Kolkata, has issued an important Circular on Facilitation Fee levied by authorized travel agents on air tickets book on Government account

Important Circular

Office of the PCA (Fys) Kolkata,
10A, S. K. Bose Road,
Kolkata -700001

NO.2078/AN-VIII/TA/LTC/BL

Dated: 20/1/2016

Sub: Facilitation Fee levied by authorized travel agents on air tickets book on Government account

A copy of GOI, MoF, DoE, OM no. 19024/1/2012-E-IV, dated 5/9/2014 on the above subject along with M/s Balmer Lawrie Co. Ltd. Letter dated 3/11/2015 is forwarded herewith for your information and guidance, please.

Nabarun Dhar

Jt. C of A.(Fys)

No.19024/1/2012-E-lV

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi.

 Dated the 5th September, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject- ‘Facilitation Fee’ levied by authorised travel agents on air tickets booked on Government account – Withdrawal regarding.

    Attention is invited to this Department’s O.M of even number dated 10th October 2013 wherein the authorized travel agents namely M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL) M/s ,Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) were allowed to levy ‘Facilitation Fee’ @ Rs.100/- per ticket for domestic sector and Rs.300/- per ticket for international sector for air travel. Wherein Government of India bears the cost of air passage.

    2. The issue has been re-examined in consolation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Department of Legal Affairs in the light of provisions of the Air craft’s Rules,1937, as amended from time to time and it has been decided to Withdraw this Department’s O.M of even number dated 10th October 2013 with immediate effect. Consequently, no service charges (by whatever nomenclature), which are not included in the tariff charged by Air India / Airlines, are required to be paid to the authorized travel agents.

    3. payment to the authorized travel agents for the Bills raised by them for air tickets produced/ purchased till date in respect of air travel already undertaken or due to be undertaken would be regulated as per O.M of even number dated 10.10.2013. it is reiterated that as far as possible air tickets on Government account may be obtained directly from Air India/ Airlines (booking counter/offices/website) and if obtaining tickets directly from Air India/ Airlines is not possible should the services of authorized travel agents be availed of.

    4. All Ministries/Departments are advised to bring these instructions to the notice of all concerned from compliance.

(Subhash Chand)
Director

Balmer Lawrie
TOURS & TRAVEL

Date: November 03, 2015

To
Principal Controller of Accounts (FYS)
10A, S K Bose Road
Kolkata – 700001

Kind attention: Mr. Nabarun Dhar, JT. Controller of Accounts (AN)

Dear Sir,

Kindly refer to your letter ref. no. 2078/ AN-VIII/TA-DA/BL dated 16/10/15, please note that in accordance with GOI, MoF, DoE OM no. 19024/1/2012-E.IV, dated 5/09/2014, we are not charging any Service Charge/Facilitation Fee/ Processing Fee etc. in our bill.

But SERVICE TAX, EDU. Cess, & High Edu. Cess, are Govt. Statutory Taxes which are chargeable if you purchase any ticket from an agency and we are regularly depositing this Service Taxes to the service tax authority vide service tax registration no. AABCB0984EST047, which is already mentioned in our bill.

Hence you are kindly requested to make payment of service taxes accordingly.

Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
for Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd.,
(S. Nath)
Sr. Branch Manager (Travel & Vacations).

Download PCA (Fys) Circular NO.2078/AN-VIII/TA/LTC/BL dated 20.01.2016

LTC Claims – Need for observing prescribed procedures

LTC Claims – Need for observing prescribed procedures

F. No. 31011/3/2015-Estt (A-IV)
Ministry of Personnel, Pensions & Public Grievances
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
*****

North Block, New Delhi
Dated April 1, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- LTC Claims — Need for observing prescribed procedures

This Department receives a large number of recommendations for relaxation of some or the other provision of the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, (hereinafter referred to as LTC Rules), in individual cases. It is seen that, in most cases the situation arises are due care had not been exercised by the Government servant and/or the administrative authority in claiming LTC or in examination.

2. The references mainly relate to:

a) Late submission of claims;
b) Booking of air tickets through an agency not authorised by the Government for this purpose;
c) Travel by private vehicles; and
d) Claims for wrong block of years.

3. In this connection it may please be noted that the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with the rules is that of the Government servant. The of-repeated plea of ignorance of rules cannot be a valid ground for relaxation of rules. At the same time it has also been noticed that the administrative authorities have also shown laxity and due diligence on their part could have prevented such situations from arising.

4. Late Submission of Claim

4.1 In terms of Rules 14 and 15(v i) of LTC Rules, the time limit for submission of LTC claim is :

i) Within three months of completion of return journey, if no advance is drawn;
ii) Within one month of completion of return journey, if advance is drawn.

Powers have been delegated, as under, to the  ministries/Departments to relax these limits with the concurrence of the Financial Advisor.

a) Upto 6 months, if no advance is drawn;
b) Upto 3 months if advance is drawn, provided the Government servant refunds the entire amount of advance (not merely the unutilised portion) within 45 days of completion of return journey.

4.2 As per Rule 12(a) of the ‘Compendium of Rules on Advances to Government Servants’, it is the responsibility of the Head of Office to effect recovery of advances and also to see that the conditions attached to each advance are fulfilled. The Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) is required to keep a watch on the advances and furnish monthly statements to the AP&AO. In addition, the DDO is also required to adjust all outstanding short term advances at the close of financial year.

5. Booking of air tickets through agents other than Government approved agents

5.1 Government servants travelling by air under LTC are required to book their tickets either directly from the airline or through the approved agencies viz: M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd/ M/s Ashok Tours & Travels Ltd/IRCTC. Booking through any other agency is not permissible.

6. Travel by private vehicles.

6.1 As per LTC rules, a Government servant may travel only by vehicles operated by Central/State Government or local bodies or by any corporation in the public sector owned/controlled by Central/State Government. Journey on LTC by taxi, auto-rickshaw etc, are permissible only between places not connected by rail. This is further subject to the condition that these modes operate on a regular basis from point to point with the specific approval of the State Governments/transport authorities concerned and are authorised to ply as public carriers.

7. Claims for wrong block of years

7.1 Whenever a Government servant applies for LTC advance, the administrative authority is required to verify from the service book and certify the entitlement of the Government servant. Cases of the type mentioned in para 2(d) would not arise if this is properly done.

8. LTC Rules also provide that a government servant who has been granted LTC Advance is required to submit copies of the tickets within 10 days of drawal of advance. The administrative authority can at this stage itself check the date of commencement of journey;
whether ticket has been booked direct from airline or through approved agency etc. Any discrepancy can be brought to the notice of the government servant so that he can take remedial action, if needed.

9. Even in cases where advance is not drawn, the Government servant is required to give prior intimation of his intention to avail LTC. The administrative authority can check the details indicated especially w.r.t entitlement. A watch can also be kept to ensure timely submission of claims.

10. All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of all concerned. It may also be noted that requests for relaxation of rules shall be considered by this Department only if it is established that the deviation is due to reasons beyond the control of the Government servant and there has been no laxity on the part of the administrative authorities concerned.

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (Establishment)
Te1:23093176

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/Departments (As per standard list)

Source: www.persmin.gov.in

CGDA: Air tickets are to be purchased from authorized travel agents only

Air tickets are to be purchased from  authorized travel agents only: CGDA

Controller General of Defence Accounts,
Ulan Batar Road, Palam , Delhi Cantt-110010

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR

No.AN/XIV/14162/TA/DA/LTC/Deviation/Vol-IV

Dated: 27/01/2015

To
All PCsDA/CsDA
(through CGDA Mail Server)

Subject: Purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents – Reg

Of late, this HQrs office has been receiving requests from officers / staff of this department to relax the guidelines laid down under DoP&T OM dated and take up their case for according regularization sanction Ministry.

2. In this connection, it is intimated that Ministry of Finance had granted time relaxation to the guidelines on air travel to purchase air tickets from authorized travel agents to officials who had undertaken air journey before 24.08.2011.However, Ministry while granting such sanction had clarified that journeys undertaken after the specified date i.e 24.08.2011 will not be considered for granting regularization sanction.

3. Inspite of clear instruction issued by this HQrs from time to time to adhere to the guidelines laid down in DoP&T OM dated 16.9.2010, receipt of requests from officers/staff through Controllers for condonation of non compliance to these instructions is not understood. In this regard, a recent circular bearing No. AN/XIV/ 19015/Govt orders/2014 dated 25/05/2014 also refers vide which content of DoP&T OM No. 31011/4/2014-Estt (A.IV) dated 19/06/2014 has been circulated stressing on the fact that the employees may be made aware of the modes in which air tickets are to be booked so as to avoid breach of any LTC rules.

4. In view of the foregoing, it is enjoined upon all, that the contents of this circular may be brought to the notice of all concerned to ensure strict compliancy and adherence.

Sd/-
(S.J.Bajaj)
AO(AN)

Source: http://cgda.nic.in/adm/circular/purchase%20air%20ticket%20280115.pdf

Tags: Air Travels, cgda, LTC, Air Tickets, DoP&T, DOPT Orders 2015, Central Government Employees News, LTC rules.