Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC

Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC

I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of O.M. Dy. No. 212615/Cash-2013 dated 22nd January, 2014 received from the Cash Section, Department of Revenue, New Delhi on the subject cited above for information and strict adherence I n the Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No. 19024/1 /2009-E.IV, dated 16.09.2010(copy enclosed) on air travel on tours/LTC by IRS(IT) officers.
Encl. as above.

Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC

The undersigned is directed lo invite a reference to Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s O.M.No.19024/1/2009-E.IV. dated 16.09.2010 (copy enclosed) on the subject cited above.

2. It has been observed that various instances have come to the notice that officers from Department of Revenue and the Iwo Boards Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise and Customs are still not following the guidelines provided the Department of Expenditure’s O.M, referred above. Either the air tickers are booked through an agent other than the Authorized Travel Agents or the journey is performed by the private air fines in contravention of the instructions issued by the Department of Expenditure. Therefore oil the concerned officers are requested to strictly adhere to the instructions of Department of Expenditure on the air travel on tours/LTC.

Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC.

This Department is receiving repeated references seeking clarifications with regard to purchase of Air tickets through authorized agents and relaxation for travel by Airlines other than Indian Airlines. The following guidelines may be noted for compliance:

1. On Official Tours:

(i) For travel by Airlines other than Air India because of operational or other reasons or on account of non-availability of Air India flights, individual cases for relaxation to be referred to M/o Civil Aviation, as stated in this Ministry’s OM No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13.07.09.

(ii) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours.

2. LTC:

(i) Travel by Air India only.

(ii) In Economy class only, irrespective of entitlement.

(iii) LTC-80 ticket of Air India only to be purchased.

(iv) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoP&T OM No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dt. 02.12.09).

3. LTC for J&K:

(i) Relaxation to travel by Private Airlines to visit J &K while availing LTC is available to all the categories of Govt. employees, including those entitled to travel by Air [DoP&T OMs No. 31011/2/2003-Estt.(A-IV) dated 18.06.10 and 05.08.10 refer].

(ii) For purchase of Air tickets, however, the procedure as given under para 2 (iv) above should be followed.

4. All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India are requested to strictly adhere to these instructions.

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India.