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)

Indian Railways provides Divyangjans with various facilities to make their services more convenient and accessible for differently abled passengers

Indian Railways provides Divyangjans with various facilities to make their services more convenient and accessible for differently abled passengers

Ministry of Railways

Indian Railways offers various facilities for Divyangjans to make its services more convenient and accessible for differently-abled passengers

Specially designed coaches, concessional tickets and reservation quota are some of the facilities offered

Railway stations made more accessible by wheelchairs, battery operated vehicles and Yatri Mitra Sewa

03 DEC 2019

Encouraged by Accessible India Campaign launched in 2015 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian Railways have been providing facilities/services to Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) so as to enable them a barrier free transportation across the Railway network. To make its services more convenient and accessible to differently-abled passengers (Divyangjans) at railway stations, Indian Railways offers the following facilities for the Divyangjans.

Also check: Facility for Disabled and Senior Citizens on Trains and at Railway Stations

•     Specially designed coaches known as SLRD coaches with wider entrance doors to allow a wheel chair to enter, wider aisles, modified toilet and with 4 berths, the lower two for persons with disability and upper berths for attendants have been attached in almost all Mail/ express trains except Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan shatabdi Express trains and Duranto Express trains.
•     Instructions have been issued that in all mail/ express trains, the SLRD coaches should be treated as unreserved coaches earmarked for exclusive use of persons with disability. In case of Garib Rath express trains which are fully reserved trains, these coaches are treated as reserved for booking by persons with disability (Divyangjans) travelling on the prescribed certificate on payment of full fare of 3 AC class of Garib Rath Express on first come first served basis.
•     Separate counters are earmarked at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens, if the average demand per shift is not less than 120 tickets wherever feasible. ln case there is no justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including handicapped persons, one or two counters depending upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all these categories of persons.
•     A reservation quota of four sleeper class berths and two berths in 3 AC has been earmarked in all trains running on non-suburban sections for persons with disability performing their journey on concessional ticket. The person accompanying the person with disability as escort is also allotted the berth out of this quota.
•     Instructions have also been issued that in the tickets issued through PRS, to extent feasible, one lower berth should be allotted to person with disability and the person accompanying the person with disability as escort should be allotted middle/upper berth near the person with disability subject to availability of accommodation.
•     After departure of train, if there are vacant lower berths available in the train and if any person with disability booked on the authority of concessional ticket, who has been allotted upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of vacant lower berths, the Conductor/Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) has been authorized to allot the vacant lower berth to them after making necessary entries in the chart.
•     The facility to book concessional e-tickets online using the photo-identity card issued by Railways has also been introduced to facilitate persons with disability.

As per Railway rules, concession in fares is admissible to four categories of Persons with Disability. The names of these four categories, and the element concession admissible, are as under :-

To make accessibility better, the following facilities are being served currently at stations:-

•     Wheel chair on platforms: Around 7000 wheelchairs have been provided at more than 5400 railway stations. The wheelchairs are provided by Railways and are given to attendant of the Divyangjan absolutely ‘free of cost’ to escort them from and to the trains. However, when attendants are not willing or available, Sahayaks can be hired on nominal rates to escort the Divyangjans.
•     In addition a scheme of Yatri Mitra sewa is also available, wherein a sahayak provided by IRCTC assists the person with disability by providing wheel chair cum porter services at major stations. The Yatri Mitra seva service can be booked on IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or through a mobile.
•     Battery operated Vehicle (BOV) vehicles are available at some stations and Powers have further been delegated to Zonal Railways for provision of BOV free of charge for person with disability through CSR route/commercial publicity route and through chargeable route.
•     In addition to above, it has been decided to provide following short term facilities for persons with disability at stations (Comprehensive instructions for passenger amenities and user facilities at stations dated 09.04.2018):

1.     Provision of standard ramp with railing for barrier free entry.
2.     Earmarking of at least two parking lots for vehicle used by disabled persons.
3.     Provision of non-slippery walkway from parking lot to building.
4.     Provision of signage of appropriate visibility.
5.     Provision of at least one drinking water tap suitable for use by a disabled person.
6.     Provision of at least one toilet on the ground floor.
7.     “May I help you” booth.

•     In the long term the following facilities are being planned for persons with disability at Non-suburban Grade (NSG)1 to NSG 4 category stations:

1.     Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
2.     Engraving on edges of platforms.

An Executive Director level committee is also formed to frame guidelines regarding Accessibility standards over Indian Railways. ED /Station development is the convenor of the committee.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Indian Railways reaffirms its commitment to the cause of empowering of Divyangjans through the ‘Accessible India Campaign’.

PIB

Handing over of Retiring room / dormitory to IRCTC

IRCTC

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

Railway Board

No.2005/TGIV/35/ policy/RR

New Delhi dated; 02.05.2019

Pr, Chief Commercial Managers,
AII Zonal Railways.

[Commercial Circular No. 24 /2019)

Sub: Handing over of Retiring room / dormitory to IRCTC.

Ref: [i] Board’s letter no. 2005/TGIV/ 35/policy /RR dated 23.09.2016
(ii) IRCTC’s letter no. 2016 /IRCTC/ LCS/ Retiring Room dated 17.01.2019 & 22.04.2019

Attention is invited to Board’s letter of even no. dated 23.09.2016 (Commercial Circular No. 50/2016) stipulating the policy guidelines to be followed for handing over of Retiring Roorns / Dormitories and their management to IRCTC.

As per clause 1.1 of CC No 50/2016 – “The phase wise plan prepared and submitted by IRCTC will be approved by Ministry of Railways.in consultation with Zonal Railways, The NIT shall be published by IRCTC after getting due approval from Railway Board.”At present, 32 stations have already been approved for handing over of retiring room to IRCTC.

It has, now; been decided that in order to speed up the process of up-gradation of retiring rooms, Principal Chief Commercial Manager {on recommendation of division) shall have powers for handing over of any retiring room directly to IRCTC with the persoilal approval of General Manger. Board’s office to be informed by IRCTC before tendering. While selecting stations for handing over Retiring Rooms to IRCTC, zones should ensure that there is no overlap with staions already being proposed for redevelopment through IRSDC. AIso, additional expenditure from divisional fund (PH-53] should be stopped at such selected Retiring Rooms.

It is also advised that Zonal Railways may expedite the process of signing the pending agreements with IRCTC for all remaining stations and provide the details for calculation of MLF, Sketch maps, etc. to IRCTC as per existing guidelines.

This issues with the approval of competent authority.

(Samir Kumar)

Director Traffic Commercial (G)

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

Railways: 40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender Senior Citizens

40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender Senior Citizens

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

(Commercial Circular No.74 of 2018)
No.TC-II/2161/2015/SRC/Policy/3

New Delhi, dated 14.12.2018

Principal Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways.

Sub: 40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender Senior Citizens whose age are 60 and above.

Ref: (I) Commercial Circular No.18 of 2011 dated 13.05.2011
(ii) Commercial Circular No. of 52 of 2016 dated 29.06.2016

As per S.No.38 of IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 26 Part-I (Vol.II) concession is admissible to Men Senior Citizens of the age of 60 years and above and 58 years & above in case for Women–Senior citizens of Indian Nationality. The element of concession is 40% for Men Senior Citizens and 50% for Women Senior Citizens.

2. As an interim measure till finalization of uniform policy by Ministry of Law & Justice, it has now been decided to grant of 40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender (T) Senior Citizens of the age of 60 years and above.

3. This will be implemented with effect from 01.01.2019.

4. Other terms and conditions shall remain the same.

5. CRIS & IRCTC may make necessary changes in the software.

6. Necessary instructions shall be issued to the all concerned.

7. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Shelly Srivastava)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board

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

Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours - Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent

Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours - Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent

No. 19024/2212017-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th July, 2017

Office Memorandum

Subject:  Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours - Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments' O.M. No. 19024/1/2005-E.IV dated 24.03.2006, O.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16.09.2010 and O.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E.IV dated 09.07.2013 regarding guidelines on Air travel. As per these guidelines, in all cases of Air Travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/website of Airlines) and if needed, by utilizing the services of three Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC).

This Department is receiving a large number of proposals from various Ministries/Departments seeking ex-post-facto relaxation of the prescribed procedure for purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents only.

The matter has been reconsidered in this Department. All Ministries/Departments are again directed to:

(i) Ensure strict compliance of extant guidelines for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/website of Airlines) or from three authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC only by all officials/offices under their control. Henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines will not be considered by this Department.

(ii) In case of non-availability of authorized agent at a particular place, ticket may be booked from website of Airlines or web portal of Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd., M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC.

(iii) In respect of Non-officials of Committees/Boards/Panels, the concerned Ministry/ Department have to mention in the meeting notice that the Non-official Member has to purchase the ticket from authorized travel agent only otherwise his claim will not be settled by that Ministry/Department.

(iv) All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, etc. have to widely circulate this O.M. in all offices including attached/subordinate offices/ autonomous bodies under their control with specific instructions to Heads of Departments concerned for strict compliance of these guidelines. Non-compliance of these guidelines by Ministries/Departments will be treated as lapse on the part of the concerned Ministry/Department.

(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

GST: Applicability of Goods and Service tax (GST) on Static Catering Services on IR

Applicability of Goods and Service tax (GST) on Static Catering Services on IR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. 2012/TG.III/631/2

New Delhi Dated 01.12.2017

The General Managers
All Indian Railways

The CMD/IRCTC
New Delhi

CMD/KRCL,
Navi Mumbai

(Commercial Circular No. 79 of 2017)

Sub: Applicability of Goods and Service tax (GST) on Static Catering Services on IR.

Ref: (i) Commercial Circular No. 78 of 2012 dated 21.12.2012
(ii) Commercial Circular No. 44 of 2017 dated 29.06.2017
(iii) Commercial Circular No. 48 of 2017 dated 30.06.2017
(iv) Board's letter No. 2016/AC-II/01/Misc./GST (RBS No. 164/20117) dtd 20.11.2017
(v) Board's letter no. 2017/TG-III/631/6 dated 18/09/2017.

Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) vide notification No. 11/2017 - Central Tax(Rate) dated 28.06.2017 had issued GST Rate for supply of food and beverage services. Further, vide Notification no. 46/2017-Centrl Tax (Rate) dated 14.11.2017, the aforesaid notification has been amended. The issue of implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on Catering Services on Indian Railway has been examined in consultaion of Finance Commercial Dte. of Railway Board and accordingly, following are advised:-

1. The chargeable GST on catering services in state in catering units / parliament canteen is @ 5% with no Input Tax Credit (ITC).

2. The above GST on catering charges through Static units is applicable w.e.f. 15.11.2017.

3. The rates notified vide Commercial Circular No. 78 of 2012 will remain unchanged after applicability of GST but are now inclusive of GST @ 5% for static catering units.

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Dte. of Railway Board.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

sd/-
(Smita Rawat)
Executive Director (T&C)
Railway Board

Authority: www.indianrailways.gov.in

Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses - Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent: MHA OM

Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses - Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent: MHA OM

No.19011/01/2015-Fin.II(Pt.)
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi,

Dated November 03, 2017

OFFICE-MEMORANDUM

Sub: Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses - Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent- reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to GoI 14 below SR 48-8 wherein provision has been made that in all cases of air travel, where Govt. of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials have to travel only by Air India. Further, GoI 16 below the rule stipulates for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (Booking Counter or website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorised agents viz. M/s. Balmer Lawrie Co., M/s Ashoka Travels & Tours and IRCTC. Department of Expenditure, M/o. Finance time and again also stressed the need of travel only by Air India and purchase of air tickets from permissible source. Recent in this row is their OM No. 19024/22/2017E-IV dated 18th July, 2017 (copy enclosed for ready reference).

2. Despite this MHA is frequently in receipt of proposals for relaxation of above rules citing reason of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines. Department of Expenditure has clarified to MHA that henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of the guidelines would not be considered by them in future.

3. It is, accordingly, stressed upon all the offices/Division under the ambit of Integrated Finance Division of MHA to scrupulously follow the guidelines relating to air travel.

Encl.: A/a.

(Kumar Manoj Kashyap)
Under Secretary & FA (Fin-II)

Source: www.mha.gov.in

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

IRCTC News : GST on Catering Services

IRCTC News : GST on Catering Services

Applicability of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on Catering Services

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2012/TG.III/631/2

New Delhi dated 29.06.2017

The General Managers
All Indian Railways

The CMD/IRCTC
New Delhi

CMD/KRCL,
Navi Mumbai

(Commercial Circular No.44 of 2017)

Sub: Applicability of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on Catering Services
The issue of implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on Catering Services on Indian Railways has been examined in consultation of Finance Commercial Dte. of Railway Board. Accordingly, following are advised:-

1. The chargeable GST on catering services on railways is as under:-

(i) For static units not having facility of air conditioning or central heating at any time during the year- 12% with full Input Tax Credit (ITC)
(ii) For static units having facility of air conditioning or central heating at any time during the year-18% with full Input Tax Credit (ITC)
(iii) For Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto and other Mail/Express trains -18% with full Input Tax Credit (ITC)

2. The above GST on catering charges is applicable w.e.f 01.07.2017.

3. The revised catering apportionment charges for Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains and other similar type of Rajdhani trains where catering charges are inbuilt in ticket fare are as under:-

4. In case of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto type trains where catering charges are part of the ticket fare, amount of GST is to be reimbursed to the service providers on submission of proof of deposit of the same with the appropriate Government Authority. However, in case of Mail/Express trains and other static units where catering services are provided on payment basis and the above taxes are collected directly from the passengers through cash memo, money receipts etc., Zonal railways /IRCTC shall ensure that the GST collect from the passenger are deposited with the concerned Authorities as per the guidelines /procedures laid down by the M/o Finance. To ensure the same zonal railways shall also obtain monthly proof of compliance of tax deposit by the service provides as per laid down procedures.

5. In case of other mail/express trains and static unit, the GST amount shall not be rounded off. In case of showing separate GST amount for CGST and SGST/UTGST in that case also GST amount shall be separately mentioned upto two decimal place. As regard rounding off of chargeable amount, after levy of GST on the total amount it shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee.

6. In addition to the above, GST on catering services of other premium trains like Tejas, Gatiman, Shivalik etc. shall be levied @ 18%. Accordingly, necessary changes in the catering apportionment charges shall be advised by the Zonal Railways to CRIS.

This issue with the concurrence of Finance Dte. of Railway Board.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

sd/-
(Smita Rawat)
Exe. Director (T&C)
Railway Board

Click Here to view the original order
Authority : www.indianrailways.gov.i

Catering Policy 2017: NFIR

Catering Policy 2017: NFIR

No.II/80(i) / Catg. /Policy/2017

Dated: 21/06/2017

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Catering Policy 2017- reg.
Ref: (i) Railway Board's letter No. 2016/TG-IIV6001/Pt. dated 27/02/2017
(Commercial Circular No.20/2017
(ii) Railway Board's letter No. E (NG)I-2003/TR/10 Pt. dated 27/06/2011.

The Railway Board have since issued catering policy 2017 vide Commercial Circular No. 20/2017 bearing letter No. 2016/TG-III/6001/Pt. dated 27/02/2017.

In this connection, NFIR conveys that pursuant to implementation of catering policy 2010, the Railway Board had consulted the Federation on the issues relating to service conditions of catering. staff and formal meetings were held at the level of AM (T&C) and decisions taken by an agreement with the Federations.
It is surprising to note that the Railway Board have not consulted the Federation while finalizing revised policy as replacement to catering policy 2010. The Departmental Catering Staff are in panicky as they feel that their future will get doomed. It needs to be appreciated that in the course of implementation of catering policy 2010, those Departmental Catering Staff deployed under IRCTC were taken back to Departmental Catering again by the respective Zonal Railways. Now, the revised policy has been brought into force and the Departmental Catering Units wherever exist are being outsourced/contractorized which would again dislocate the Departmental Catering Staff. Chronological events since the year 2013 would prove that Departmental catering staff have been subjected to hardships.

NFIR, therefore, urges upon the Railway Board to convene a meeting at the level of AM(T&C) early to discuss staff related issues arisen consequent to the attempts for implementation of catering policy 2017 for protecting the legitimate interests of Departrnental Catering Staff. Pending discussions and decision, it is also requested that the Catering Units presently manned by Departmental Catering staff on Zonal Railways may be allowed to continue without disturbance.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Ragharvaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Indian Railways takes various initiatives to facilitate travel in this summer

Indian Railways takes various initiatives to facilitate travel in this summer

In an endeavor to provide smooth travel experience to the railway travelers, Indian Railways have taken various initiatives for improved passenger experience. Considering the peak season during summers, Indian Railways is poised to offer convenient travel to the passengers without upsetting their plans. To ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation, following initiatives have been undertaken by Indian Railways:-

i) Finalization of first reservation chart at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.

ii) After preparation of first reservation chart, current ticket booking facility provided through any reserved ticket booking window as well as on internet till preparation of second reservation chart.

iii) Transfer of vacant available accommodation after preparation of second reservation chart to next remote location.

iv) Following facilities are also provided online through IRCTC website:

a) Waitlisted passengers given the option of accommodation in any other train without payment of any difference of fare or grant of refund thereon under VIKALP scheme. This facility can also be availed for e tickets booked prior to 01.04.2017

b) Tickets booked across reserved ticket booking window can be cancelled through IRCTC website or through 139.

c) In case of e tickets, boarding points can be changed through IRCTC website at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.

d) The facility of online booking of wheel chair provided free of cost to passengers.

e) The facility of online booking of retiring rooms through IRCTC website has been introduced.

f) Disposable bedrolls can be purchased through IRCTC website.

g) E Catering introduced to increase food options available with passengers.

PIB

New Catering Policy -2017 in Railways

New Catering Policy -2017 in Railways

To improve the standard of food being provided to passengers in trains, new Catering Policy has been issued on 27th February 2017 wherein inter-alia IRCTC has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. The salient features of the new Catering Policy 2017 are as under :-

(i) IRCTC to manage catering service on all mobile units. Pantry car contracts awarded by zonal railway to be reassigned to IRCTC.

(ii) Meals for all mobile units to be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by IRCTC.

(iii) IRCTC not to outrightly outsource or issue licenses for provision of catering services to private licensees. IRCTC to retain the ownership and be fully accountable for all the issues pertaining to setting up and operation of the Base Kitchens and quality of food.

(iv) IRCTC to engage service providers from hospitality industry for service of food in trains.

(v) All four Base Kitchens under departmental operation of Zonal Railways (Nagpur, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) , Mumbai Central (BCT) and Balharshah) and all kitchen units i.e. Refreshment Rooms at A1 and A category stations, Jan Ahaar, Cell Kitchens are to be handed over to IRCTC on 'as is where is basis'. IRCTC to set up its own Kitchens at additional stations, if required.

(vi) Kitchen structures/land/space to be handed over by zonal Railways to IRCTC, for a period of 10 years extendable for another period of 5 years, on a token license fee.

(vii) IRCTC to be responsible for management of Food Plaza, Food Courts, Fast food units within the ambit of this policy.

(viii) The setting up/ development / refurbishment of new or existing Base Kitchens/Kitchen units to be undertaken by IRCTC. These kitchens are to be owned, operated and managed by IRCTC.

(ix) IRCTC to develop different types of kitchens keeping in view supply of food and usage assessed.

(x) IRCTC to develop the Business model for the kitchens so that they can expand and enhance the service. IRCTC to prepare a detailed concession agreement for setting up/development of the kitchens.

(xi) Zonal railway to manage static unit (catering stall /milk stalls/ trolleys etc.) except base kitchens and kitchen units to be handed over to IRCTC .

(xii) For the purpose of allotment, a Refreshment Room (at B and below category stations) or a stall or a trolley to be deemed as one unit. As such, a single unit is to be awarded through a single license.

(xiii) Provision of perpetual renewal has been done away with. Now it has been envisaged that tenure of all static units (except kitchen units and Food Plaza) shall be 5 years only. Tenure of Food Plaza shall be for a period of 9 years.

(xiv) Allotments of General Minor Units at all category stations to be done through open, competitive, two- packet tendering system from the eligible bidders by divisions.

(xv) For the first time, it has been envisaged that allotment of Special Minor units (reserved category) at all category stations will be done by divisions through open tendering system within the similar reserved category. The technical eligibility criteria has been simplified.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 05.04.2017 (Wednesday).

PIB

Railways to provide fresh food cooked after every two hours

Railways to provide fresh food cooked after every two hours

New Delhi: Plagued with complaints, Railways plan to provide fresh food cooked at base kitchens in trains after every two hours to the passengers.

Railways, which provides about 11 lakh meals to passengers every day, has separated cooking and distribution of food under the recently launched new catering policy.

"We have decided to provide good quality food to our passengers and for that we have decided to have base kitchens at several places so that fresh food can be picked up at every two-hours of travel," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said at the round table conference on catering here.

Participated by representatives from the food and beverage industry, self-help groups, senior IRCTC and railway officials, the round table conference aims to formulate a roadmap under the new catering policy to provide best catering service at rail premises.

Admitting complaints against food served in trains, Prabhu said, Whenever complaints come we always take prompt action. We had detailed discussion before formulating the policy and today we are having discussion for its smooth implementation.

 Taking note of overcharging of food in trains, he said the issue will be taken up at the conference today. We have announced a new catering policy. There were many complaints against catering service. There were complaints against those who have got the catering responsibility under our earlier catering policy, he said.

Seeking participation of private players in food business for setting up base kitchens near stations, Prabhu said, We have decided how to provide good quality food to our passengers. So we decided to have base kitchens at many places across the country. The base kitchens will be mechanised kitchens with less human intervention. It can be done through PPP mode.

He said base kitchens will benefit passengers as fresh food can be picked up in trains in every two hours which even airlines cannot do. On the distribution front, Prabhu also sought participation of reputed caterers.

Delivery of food is important for an effective catering service. Delivery of fresh food in trains can also be done by reputed caterers with proper quality control mechanism, he added.

PTI

Aadhaar Must for Booking Online Train Tickets - How to enable?

Aadhaar Must for Booking Online Train Tickets - How to enable?

The Indian Railways is planning to move further Aadhaar based train ticket booking system through online to prevent touts. Now, IRCTC requested to all passengers who are all registered with this portal, entry their passenger detail with Aadhaar number.

Aadhaar verification is going to be mandatory to avail Senior Citizen concession in Railway booking soon, Please provide Aadhaar ID to add and verify Senior Citizen Passenger details through IRCTC Web portal. You can add the passengers list with Aadhaar number. Aadhaar verification is available only for Senior Citizens and not for all.

How to enable Aadhaar Authentication Service for Senior Citizen Passengers through IRCTC.

Steps to Authenticate Aadhaar Details
1. Login using your IRCTC User ID and Password on IRCTC eTicketing website.
2. Click "Master List" link under "My Profile" menu.

3. While adding new senior citizen passengers in the Master list, provide correct and complete details i.e. Name, Date of Birth, Gender as mentioned in the Aadhaar Card. Thereafter, select Senior Citizen concession option as Yes/No, ID card type as Aadhaar ID and provide Aadhaar number.

 4. Ensure that correct details as per Aadhaar Card have been submitted.
5. Click on "Add Passenger" button to Add Senior Citizen passenger and authenticate Aadhaar details.
6. Passengers will be added in the Master list with Verification Status as "Pending".
7. To check the verification status of Aadhaar details, use "Click here to check pending Aadhaar verification status" option provided in the section.

 8. Verification status of Senior Citizen passengers who have authenticated their Aadhaar details successfully will be "Verified" and for failed authentications verification status will "Not Verified".
9. Senior Citizen passengers already available in the Master list without Aadhaar verification can also be verified by using "Edit" option and submitting complete details including Aadhaar number.

Steps to Select Aadhaar verified Senior Citizen passengers during Ticketing Booking
1. After successful verification of Aadhaar details, Senior Citizen passengers can be selected from Master List and added to the Passenger Details while booking ticket.

 2. To add Aadhaar verified Senior Citizen passengers in the Passenger details page, use "Select Passenger From Your Master List" link. A pop up with complete details of Passengers in the Master List will be displayed. Passengers selected from this page will be added to the Passenger entry form.

Source: 90Paisa

Shares of Railway PSEs - IRCTC, IRFC and IRCON to be listed

Shares of Railway PSEs - IRCTC, IRFC and IRCON to be listed

Consolidation, mergers and acquisitions of CPSEs to be encouraged, an integrated public sector oil major soon

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana budget target doubled to Rs. 2.44 lakh crores

Rs. 10,000 crores earmarked for recapitalisation of Banks, Need based additional allocation assured
While presenting the General Budget 2017-18 in Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has said that the shares of Railway Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) like IRCTC, IRFC and IRCON will be listed in stock exchanges. The Government will encourage strengthening the CPSEs through consolidation, mergers and acquisitions and soon create an integrated public sector ‘oil major’, he added.
Stating that the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has proved an overwhelming success in extending funds for the deprived sections, Shri Jaitley doubled the budget target under the scheme to Rs. 2.44 lakh crores.

Easing the stressed legacy accounts of banks, Shri Jaitley earmarked Rs. 10,000 crores for recapitalisation of Banks in 2017-18 and assured need based additional allocation.

Stating that the disinvestment policy announced in the last budget will continue, Shri Jaitley further said that the Government will put in place a revised mechanism and procedure to ensure time bound listing of identified CPSEs on stock exchanges. This will foster greater public accountability and unlock the true value of these companies, he added.

Shri Jaitley said the CPSEs will be integrated across the value chain of an industry through consolidation, mergers and acquisitions. By these methods it will give them capacity to bear higher risks, avail economies of scale, take higher investment decisions and create more value for the stakeholders, he added. Possibilities of such restructuring are visible in the oil and gas sector. The Government proposes to create an integrated public sector ‘oil major’ which will be able to match the performance of international and domestic private sector oil and gas companies.

The Finance Minister said that the Exchange Trade Fund (ETF), comprising shares of ten CPSEs, has received overwhelming response in the recent Further Fund Offering (FFO). The Government will continue to use ETF as a vehicle for further disinvestment of shares. Accordingly, a new ETF with diversified CPSE stocks and other Government holdings will be launched in 2017-18, he added.

Shri Jaitley said that the focus on resolution of stressed legacy accounts of Banks will continue and the legal framework has been strengthened to facilitate resolution, through the enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the amendments to the SARFAESI and Debt Recovery Tribunal Acts. In line with the ‘Indradhanush’ roadmap, an amount of Rs. 10,000 crore is provided for recapitalisation of Banks in 2017-18 and additional allocation will be provided, as may be required, he added.

Shri Jaitley said that the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has contributed significantly to funding the unfunded and the underfunded. He further said that the last year target of Rs.1.22 lakh crores was exceeded and for 2017-18, he proposes to double the lending target of 2015-16 and set it at Rs. 2.44 lakh crores. Priority will be given to Dalits, Tribals, Backward Classes, Minorities and Women, he added.

Shri Jaitley said that the Stand Up India scheme was launched by the Government in April 2016 to support Dalit, Tribal and Women entrepreneurs to set up green field enterprises and become job creators. Over 16,000 new enterprises have come up through this scheme in activities, as diverse as food processing, garments, diagnostic centres, etc, he added.

PIB

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/

Insurance Scheme For Railway Passengers

Insurance Scheme For Railway Passengers

An Optional Travel Insurance Scheme on a pilot basis for one year has been launched w.e.f 01.09.2016 for the Railway passengers who book e-ticket through official website of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at the premium of Rs. 0.92 per passenger.

This insurance scheme provides financial support to the family/legal heir in case of death/injury of reserved passengers due to train accident/untoward incidents as defined under section 123 read with Sections 124 and 124A of the Railways Act, 1989, subject to the qualification that the coverage will be valid from the actual departure of train from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station including 'process of entraining' and 'process of detraining' the train.
The Sums Insured to be given to passengers are as follows: (i) In case of Death- Rs. 10 lakh, (ii) Permanent Total Disability - Rs. 10 Lakh, (iii) Permanent Partial Disability upto- Rs. 7.5 Lakh, (iv) Hospitalization Expenses for Injury -Rs. 2 Lakh, (v) Transportation of mortal remains - Rs. 10 Thousand.

IRCTC which is a wholly owned undertaking of Ministry of Railways has entered into an agreement with three Insurance Companies through Limited Tender, namely (i) Shriram General Insurance Company Ltd., (ii) ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., and (iii) Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Ltd.

(a) Ex-gratia is paid to the victims of train accidents and untoward incidents at the following scales:

	Train Accident (Sec.124)	Untoward Incident (Sec. 124- A)
In case of death	Rs. 50,000/-	Rs. 15000/-
In case of grievous injury	Rs. 25,000/- lump sum for hospitalisation upto 30 days. Rs. 300 per day at the end of every 10 day period or discharge, whichever is earlier.	Rs.5000/- lump sum for hospitalisation upto 30 days.Rs. 1000/- per week or part thereof the period for indoor treatment upto further six months of hospitalisation. Rs. 500/- per week or part thereof the period for indoor treatment upto further five months of hospitalisation.
	The maximum period for which ex-gratia is payable to the grievously injured passenger will be 12 months.
In case of simple injury	Rs 5000/-		Rs. 500/-

The insurance scheme is available on optional basis to passengers of all reserved classes (SL, 1AC, 2AC, 3AC etc.) of all trains except passenger trains and sub-urban trains for tickets booked online on the IRCTC websites.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 09.12.2016 (Friday).

PIB

Relaxation from payment of Service Charge in internet booking of Railway tickets through IRCTC

Relaxation from payment of Service Charge in internet booking of Railway tickets through IRCTC

Ministry of Railways has decided that in order to help passengers and incentivise the payment through credit/debit/cash cards instead of cash payment for booking of reserved tickets, Service Charge shall not be collected on booking of e-tickets/ i-tickets from 23rd November to 31st December, 2016.

Service Charge is Rs. 20 on sleeper/ 2nd Class and Rs. 40 on AC classes for booking through IRCTC.

PIB

Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016

Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR No.561 of 2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No. TC-II/2003/2016/refund

New Delhi, 10.1.2016

To Chief Commercial Managers
All zonal Railways
Managing Director/CRIS/Chankyapuri/New Delhi
Managing/Director/IRCTC/New Delhi

Sub: Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016.

Ministry of Railways desire that tie procedure for cancellation of tickets and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016 shall be revised as under:-

(i) Cancellation of such tickets and refund of fare of value Rs.10,000/- and above shall NOT be allowed in cash or through green pay order or by any means involving cash across the counter. The payment shall be only through Cheque / ECS payment.

(ii) Such ticket may be refunded through filing of TDR only on surrendering of original ticket. TDR shall filed within the prescribed time limit for cancellation of ticket across the counter as per Refund Rule e.g. TDR shall be filed only upta half an hour before the scheduled departure of the train for RAC/WL tickets and for confirmed tickets upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, for which ticket has been issued etc.,

(iii) In such cases TDR and rerund of fare as per refund shall be allowed for waitlisted tickets also only through Cheque / ECS payment.

(iv) This shall be implemented with immediate effect.

This issues with concurrence of Finance (Commercial) and Accounts Directorates of Ministry of Railways.
CRIS may make necessary changes in the software.

Ensue action accordingly and confirm.

sd/-
(Vikram Singh)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board

Authority: www.indianrailways.gov.in