Relaxation in norms for travelling of Government officers

Relaxation in norms for travelling of Government officers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 1355
ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

Relaxation in norms for travelling of Government officers

1355 Dr. Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state :-

(a) Whether it is a fact that Government has relaxed the norms of travelling for the officers by permitting them to travel in private airlines; and

(b) If so, the details thereof ?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) Existing norms issued vide Ministry of Finance O.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13.07.2009 provides that in all cases of air travel, both domestic and international, wherein the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, officials have to travel in Air India only.

However, vide Ministry of Finance O.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 07.06.2016, powers which were earlier vested with Ministry of Civil Aviation, have now been delegated to Financial Advisors (FAs) of administrative Ministry/Department, to accord exemption in individual cases for air travel in airlines other than Air India because of operational or other reasons or on account of non-availability.