Latest DoPT order on LTC Air Ticket Booking Rules for Central Govt Employees – OM No dated 20.10.2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of government regulations, it’s essential for Central Government employees to stay up to date with the latest developments. One such crucial update is the latest Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order on LTC (Leave Travel Concession) Air Ticket Booking Rules, issued on the 20th of October, 2023. This order carries significant implications for Central Government employees, affecting the way they plan and book air travel for their LTC entitlements. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of this latest order, breaking down the key aspects, changes, and implications.

Understanding the Latest DoPT Order on LTC Air Ticket Booking Rules for Central Govt Employees

The Latest DoPT Order on LTC Air Ticket Booking Rules for Central Govt Employees – OM dated 20.10.2023 has introduced several noteworthy changes, all aimed at simplifying the process and ensuring transparency. Let’s dive into the heart of these changes:

1. Introduction to the Latest DoPT Order
The Latest DoPT Order, effective from October 20, 2023, is a pivotal document that central government employees must acquaint themselves with. It is designed to streamline and clarify the procedures regarding LTC and air ticket bookings.

2. Key Highlights of the Order of LTC Air Ticket Booking Rules for Central Govt Employees

a. Online Booking Mandatory
Under the new order, all LTC air ticket bookings must be made online. This digital shift aims to make the process more efficient and user-friendly. Employees can now conveniently book their air tickets through the Authorised online portals, eliminating the need for physical visits to booking counters.

b. Authorized Booking Portals
Central Government employees are only permitted to book their LTC air tickets through 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 measure ensures that bookings are made through trusted platforms, safeguarding the interests of the employees.

c. Airline Selection-Flight having the cheapest fare
The order provides clarity on airline selection, three ATTs are to display the details of the flight having the cheapest fare and the flight(s) having the fare 10% more than the cheapest fare only, in the desired time slot, at the time of booking the air tickets by the Government employees for the purpose of LTC journey.

DoPT OM dated 20.10.2023 regarding LTC Air Ticket Booking Rules for Central Govt Employees

F. No. 31011/11/2023 – Pers. Policy A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Pers. Policy A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated: October, 2023

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Modifications in instructions on booking of Air Tickets on Government Account in respect of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) — reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No.31011/12/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 29.08.2022 regarding instructions on booking of Air Tickets in respect of Leave Travel Concession (LTC). The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has been receiving a number of representations seeking clarifications on issues relating to the settlement of claims, particularly of those government employees who have not retained the screenshot of the concerned webpage of the authorised travel Agents (ATAs) during the booking of air tickets, as provided under the OM dated 29.8.2022 referred to above.

2. In view of the above, the matter has been examined and with the approval of competent authority, the following changes/modifications in the prescribed procedure are made for the convenience of Government employees: –

(i) All 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) are to display the details of the flight having the cheapest fare and the flight(s) having the fare 10% more than the cheapest fare only, in the desired time slot, at the time of booking the air tickets by the Government employees for the purpose of LTC journey. Therefore, the booking of air ticket for the purpose of LTC on the website of these three authorized travel agents shall itself be a proof that the ticket booked by the individual government employee was of the cheapest fare as provided under the guidelines.

(ii) All three authorized agents shall indicate the word ‘LTC’ on tickets issued for the LTC journey; and

(iii) In all cases wherein the non-entitled Government employees are to travel by air under Special Dispensation Scheme directly from their Headquarters/place of posting to the place of visit in NER/J&K/A&N/Ladakh,the Government employees shall continue to take the print-out of the concerned webpage having flight and fare details of the flight for relevant railhead viz. Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Delhi/Amritsar/ Chennai/ Vishakhapatnam to the place of visit viz. NER or UT of J&K or UT of Ladakh or UT of A&N within the same time-slot where the direct flight has been booked for the purpose of reimbursement.

In case the flight tickets are not available in the same slot, the print out of the details of the flights available in the next slot may be retained for the purpose of settlement of claims, as provided under Point (ii) of the title

“Provisions for Reimbursement” in OM dated 29.8.2022, referred to above.

3. Further, all the three AlAs have also been directed to allow the registration of those employees who do not have official email accounts provided their administrative office sends their details depicting their names, employee code no., private email IDs and mobile numbers, etc. to the travel agents for the purpose of booking the air tickets in respect of LTC journey.

4. For the sake of convenience, the links of the three authorized travel agents are as below:

(i) ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited’,BLCL (https://govemp.balmerlawrietravelapp.com), (ii) ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’, ‘ATT’ (https://www.attitdc.in) and (iii) Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., ‘IRCTC’ (https://www.air.irctc.co.in).

5. All the Ministries/Departments are once again advised to bring it to the notice of all their employees that any misuse of LTC shall be viewed seriously and appropriate action as deemed fit under the relevant rules will be taken against the defaulting employees. In order to keep a check on any kind of misuse of LTC, Ministries/Departments are advised to randomly get some of the air tickets submitted by the officials verified by the airlines concerned with regard to the actual cost of air travel vis-a-vis the cost indicated on the air tickets submitted by the officials.

6. Hindi version will follow.

(Satish Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

View the Order pdf