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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (भारत सरकार)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (रेल मंत्रालय)
RAILWAY BOARD (रेलवे बोर्ड)

RBE No.28/2023.

No. F(E)I/2022/ AL-28/1

New Delhi, dated: 09.02.2023

General Manager (P),
All Indian Railways/ PUs etc.
(As per standard mailing list)

Subject: Modification of instructions regarding Booking of Air Tickets on Government account.

In view of the decision of the Government for disinvestment of Air India, it has already been decided that in all cases of air travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, air tickets shall be purchased only from the three authorized Travel Agents viz.

• i. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL)
• ii. M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT)
• iii. Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. IRCTC)

2. Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their O.M. No. 19024/03/2021/E.IV, dated 16 June, 2022 has issued certain instructions regarding booking of air -tickets on Government account in supersession to their earlier instructions on the subject. Ministry of Finance’s modified instructions are adopted and circulated to all Indian Railways/PUs in the following manner:

3. The choice of the Travel agent from amongst the 03 Travel agents under para-1, for booking of ticket for tour and LTC is left open to the Railways/PUs and to the official in case of self. booking, based on convenience and service quality. Tickets for all employees for a single tour should be done through one selected Travel Agent only. No agency charges/convenience fees will be paid to these three booking agencies.

4. Employees are to choose flight having the Best Available Fare on their entitled travel class which is the Cheapest Fare available, preferably for Non-stop flight in a given slot at the time of booking:-

(a) On the day of travel in the desired 3 hours slot of following time band — 00.00 to 03.00, 03.00 to 06.00, 06.00 to 09.00, 09.00 to 12.00, 12.00 to 15.00, 15.00 to 18.00, 18.00 to 21.00, 21.00 to 24.00.

(b) with provision of optimizing within a 10% price band, for convenience and comfort.

5. Employees are encouraged to book flight tickets at least 21 days prior to the intended date of travel on tour and LTC, to avail the most competitive fares and minimize burden on the exchequer. Accordingly, wherever possible, approval of the tour programme and LTC may be obtained at least 21 days prior to the intended date of travel.

6. Any booking made within less than 72 hours of intended travel on Tour, will require the submission of self-declared justification by the employee.

7. Employees are also encouraged to avoid unnecessary cancellations. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before intended travel, will require the submission of a self-declared justification by the employee.

8. Employees should préferably book only one ticket for each leg of intended travel. Holding of more than one ticket is not allowed. However, in case of special exigencies or exceptional circumstances, a maximum of two tickets for the alternative flights for different time-slot may be booked for the same leg of travel with the self-declared justification for the same. In such exceptional circumstances, the booking of two alternative flights be done with the approval of the authority competent to approve the air travel.

• (a) While tickets may be arranged by the office through the Travel Agent, employees are encouraged to make ticket booking digitally through the Self Booking Tool/online booking website/portal of these 3 authorized Travel agencies only.
• (b) Employees must register their official Government Email-id with these 3 Travel agencies to book their air tickets digitally through above modes for travel ‘by any airlines.

10. Railways/PUs should ensure the availability of sanctioned Budget for Domestic and Foreign travel for their employees.

11. In case of unavoidable circumstances, where the booking of ticket is done from unauthorized travel agent/website, (i) JS/Railway Board in cases of Railway Board, (ii) PHoD/CHoD/HoD with independent charge not below SAG level in Zonal-Railways/PUs & (iii) DRM in Divisions are authorized to grant relaxation with Finance concurrence.

12. All Railways/PUs are to clear their dues on account of air ticket to the concerned travel agent within a maximum of 30 days from completion of journey.

13. To ensure timely payment of air ticket to the travel agents, to confirm the performance of journey, the employee has to submit a certificate/undertaking in prescribed proforma (enclosed as Annexure-1) within 72 hours of completion of journey. TA bill may be submitted later as per the existing rules.

14, Railways/PUs must clear all previous outstanding dues to the travel agents by 15th February 2023.

15. No Mileage Points will be generated against travel on Government account.

16. All Railways/PUs are directed to’ ensure strict compliance of the order and to widely circulate this O.M. in all offices including Attached/Subordinate Offices/Autonomous Bodies under their control.

17. The instructions regarding Air Travel entitlement of Railway employees as issued under Board’s letter No. F(E)I/2017/AL-28/41, dated 24.08.2017, 25.09.2017, 24.04.2018, 08.05.2018 & 10.05.2018 and as consolidated vide Board’s letter No. F(E)I/2021/AL-28/47, dated 13.08.2021 shall remain in force.

18. This letter is issued in supersession of Board’s earlier instructions issued vide letter of even No. dated 11.01.2022 on the subject.

19. This issues with the approval of the Board (MF, CRB & CEO).

(Sonali Chaturvedi)
Joint Director Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board

Annexure-I

Self-declaration Certificate for Completion of Journey 

Annexure to Board’s Letter No. F(E)1/2022/AL-28/1, dated 09.02.2023)

1, I (Name of the employee … … … … … … … … … … … ) hereby declare and certify that:

2. I have actually performed the onward journey from … … … … … … … … to … … … … … … … … … … on … … … … … … … …  (date) and return journey from … … … … … … … … to … … … … … … … … … … on … … … … … … … … for the purpose of Tour/Training.

3. I/We have. actually performed ‘the onward journey from … … … … … … … … to … … … … … … on … … … … … … … … (date) and return journey from … … … … … … to … … … … … … on … … … … … … for the purpose of Transfer/LTC/Retirement. The particulars of the self and family members who have performed journey either with the Government servant or separately are as under:-

4. Incase the above declaration given by me is not found true at any stage, I shall be liable to disciplinary action under Railway Services ( Discipline & Appeal )Rules, 1968 , as amended from time to time.

(Signature)
Name of the Government Servant … … … … … … … … … …
Designation … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Name of the Railway/PU … … … … … … … … … … … … … .

To
Admin/ Establishment Section
Railway/ PU

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No. 19024/03/2021-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated the 16th February, 2022

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Modification of instructions regarding Air Travel on Government account.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. dated 31.12.2021 regarding booking of air tickets on Government account after disinvestment of Air India through three authorized agencies viz. Balmer & Lawrie, IRCTC and Ashok Travels. Several references have been received in this Department seeking clarification regarding booking of air tickets for Domestic and International travel by private airlines in view of the disinvestment of Air India.

2. It is clarified that the air travel on Government account both Domestic (including LTC) and International travel can be made by private airlines. Tickets shall be purchased only through the above
three authorized agents.

3. This is issued with the approval of the Finance Secretary & Secretary (Expenditure).

Sd/-
(Nirmala Dev)
Director

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

No. Estt./Pay-Tech/14162/TA /DA/LTC/Deviation/Vol-V,

Dated: 01.02.2022

To

All PCsDA/CsDA/PCA (Fys)/PIFAs/IF As

Subject: Grant of relaxation for air ticket purchased from unauthorized travel agent/ website in respect of DAD employee.

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure vide O.M No. 19024/03/2021-E.IV dated 31.12.2021 has modified procedure of booking of air ticket. As per latest instructions the air tickets are required to be purchased from the authorized travel agents viz M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels and IRCTC. The order further states that in case of unavoidable circumstances, where the booking of ticket is done from unauthorized travel agent/website, the FA of the Ministry/Department and HoD (not below the rank of JS in subordinate/attached offices are authorized to grant relaxation.

2. Accordingly, it has been decided by the competent authority that PCsDA/ CsDA/ IFAs (SAG level) are empowered to grant relaxation for air ticket purchased from unauthorized agent/website in respect of DAD employees serving under their administrative jurisdiction/office in terms of MoF. DoE O.M dated 31.12.2021.

Sd/-
(G.K Baranwal)
Sr. Dy.CGDA (Estt.)

Download relaxation for air ticket purchased from unauthorized travel agent/ website in respect of DAD employee PDF

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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.

Benefit of gratuity in respect of Central Government Employees counting of service on joining new service covered under National Pension System (NPS)

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)

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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

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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

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Question: What kind of services does udChalo provide?

Answer: As of today, udChalo provides defense personnel and their family air tickets at a comparatively cheaper rate than other OTAs. We are planning to provide you many more services in days to come.

Question: Why will I get such a good deal for no reason?

Answer: There’s no better deal than serving your nation. We understand that grant of leave at eleventh hour makes a pre-planned travel less of possibility for a defense person. Moreover, high rates of air-tickets add up to the situation. We ask airlines to provide us their unsold inventory and sell it at a lower rate to defense.

Question: Why do you need my army/air force/ navy number? Can I suspect some foul play?

Answer: We need your army/air force/ navy number because we cannot validate the legitimacy of our customers otherwise. We strictly serve people from defense fraternity. Being army kids, we know the value of these numbers and therefore do not save it at our end.

Question: How do I trust your website or its authenticity?

Answer: udChalo is serving army since last 2 years from Service Selection Center South. The founders of the company are army kids. udChalo is a product of UpCurve Software Consulting (India) Private Limited, a Company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956 with Corporate Identification no: U72200PN2012PTC144765.

Question: I am entering my defense number correctly yet your website is not accepting it. Why is it so?

Answer: There might be few reasons for it; Using wrong suffix at the end of the number, selection of wrong category, giving space in between numbers and alphabet. The correct format to put your number is “IC34534C”or “34534C”.

Question: I do not have a suffix for my defense number. What to do?

Answer: This is one of the rare cases, please contact our customer care at 1800-123-9585.

Udchalo.com eligibility

Question: Who can use UdChalo’s services?

Answer: Serving/retired army, airforce, navy, paramilitary forces and their dependents. Current students of AWES colleges, current students and alumni of AIT can also avail tickets through udChalo.

Question: I am a SSB candidate. Am I eligible to use udChalo to attend my interview or medical?

Answer: Sorry, you are not eligible to buy tickets from udChalo.

Answer: No, unless you get recommended and have received a call from OTA/IMA/Naval Academy Ezhimala.

Question: I am an alumni of Army Institute of Management, Kolkata (AIMK), Can I use it?

Answer: No, only current students of AWES colleges & SIMS, Pune can avail this facility. Only Alumni of AIT are eligible to use udChalo.com.

Question: Till what age I can use udChalo.com if I am a dependent?

Answer: A girl dependent can use till she gets married and a boy can avail this facility till he attains 28 years of age.

Question: What ID card do I need to produce at the airport?

Answer: Any of the following documents: Dependent card, ECHS card, Canteen Smart card, Discharge book, Pension book, ID card issued by Zila Sainik board.

Question: I am from paramilitary forces, how can I get the coupon code?

Answer: To check your coupon code, please connect to your local unit commanding officer or please contact us.

Booking Tickets

Question: I received a mail telling me that there were no flights available for my registered sector and date. Why is it so?

Answer: Unfortunately, we do not have flights to some airports such as Kullu, Allahabad, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Dimapur, Agartala, Vijaywada, Tutikorin, Hubli, Belgaum. If however, apart from these airports flights are not available, we are sorry. We might have sold all the tickets in your choice of flight. We would request you to modify your date or time of travel and check if we could serve you.

Question: I have finally received the link with flight deals. How to book the ticket?

Answer: Click on the link to see flight options. Choose the flight that is most convenient to you and click on “Book Now” and make the payment. We keep things simple.

Question: How can I pay for my ticket booking?

Answer: We provide various payment options like credit and debit cards, net banking, and wallets. You can also pay us offline at our centers. For further information, please Contact Us.

Question: Why did the fare change at purchase time?

Answer: udChalo.com uses a real-time reservation database, the same used by travel agents worldwide that lists actual ticket prices and availability. As airlines fill flights or change fares, the database immediately reflects those changes. Always be sure to double-check prices when reserving or purchasing tickets, as the fare may have changed since you first searched for fares or created your itinerary.

Question: I see options from just two airlines. Why are other airlines not present?

Answer: Our partner airlines might not have flights scheduled for the particular sector or may not have deals for that sector. Wait till we grow. We’ll have more airlines being added to the list soon. We would be adding few more airlines in 3-4 months to come.

Question: Why the fares are too high compared to other airlines?

Answer: There could be multiple reasons for the same, the most frequent being that the cheaper ticket might be of an indirect flight or the one having a long journey time. Also, the price indicated on other OTAs are exclusive of taxes while the one displayed on udChalo website is all inclusive.

Question: Is my credit card information secure?

Answer: We make every effort to keep all your personal information, including your credit card number, secure. udChalo.com uses the Secured Socket Layer (SSL) technology to allow your credit card number to be transimitted to us over the internet, if your browser supports this encryption. As you enter your credit card number, SSL encodes it so it is transmitted in a format that prevents eavesdropping or data theft. Once received by our secure server, your credit card number is never transmitted over the internet again.

Question: I do not want to pay online. What are the other options available?

Answer: You can pay by cash, cheque and/ or draft at our reservation counter. For further information, please Contact Us.

Question: How do I know my reservation is confirmed?

Answer: After we receive your payment, we will send you an immediate e-mail confirmation. This e-mail will include your itinerary details and e-tickets.

LTC claim on tickets

Question: Can I avail LTC claim on tickets booked via udChalo?

Answer: For Officers : Only tickets booked via pre approved travel agency e.g. Balmer lawrie, IRCTC and Air India are claimable.
For ORs/JCOs : All udChalo tickets which are marked as Defense Fares can be claimed via their respective PAO however, reimbursement in such cases shall be restricted to the fare of their entitled class of train/transport or actual expense, whichever is less, for further clarification you may chose to contact our customer care team.

Question: Why I see a fare difference in udChalo & airline’s issued tickets?

Answer: At times, you might find a difference between your ticket fares on airline website and udChalo. Since, we bring special fares from airlines, you might not be able to fetch it individually. The difference in the fare is utilized by udChalo to keep the Organization running and providing employment to ex- servicemen. No refund request will be taken in such cases. Also, our tickets are only for personal trips and LTC claim can be done at your own discretion.

Cancellation and Rescheduling

Question: What are the cancellation rules?

Answer: Post independence we stopped charging LAGGAN, therefore all the taxes are refundable for sure & our prices are so good that our base fare mostly do not cross cancellation charges levied by the airlines.

Question: How do I cancel a flight reservation?

Answer: Cancelling a flight booking you made on udChalo is as easy as pie. You need to drop an email at customercare@udchalo.com with your registered email ID & rest we will take care.

Question: Can I reschedule my journey?

Answer: Policies vary from airline to airline. To be safe, assume you cannot. You will need to contact the airline and invariably in every case you will need to pay the difference between the price of your booked ticket and the retail price of the other flight you wish to book along with some rescheduling charges. And it goes without saying, the odds are, you won’t get a special deal.

Question: What are the cancellation charges?

Answer: The cancellation charges depend on the airline, sector, class of booking, and time of cancellation. To know the exact amount you may contact us at 1800-123-9585. In most of the cases, our fares are less than cancellation charges hence you can only expect taxes to be refunded back.

Question: How long does it take to process a refund?

Answer: We usually process the refund within 3 working days of cancellation. However, in some cases, it may take upto 6 days to reflect in your account statement depending upon your bank.

Question: I still haven’t received my refund. Help!

Answer: We’re extremely sorry for the goof up. Immediately write an email to refunds@udchalo.com or chat with us.

Question: I booked my flights on udChalo but then cancelled them by directly contacting the airline. How do I claim my refund?

Answer: Inform us immediately after cancellation so that we can confirm with the airline to process your refund into your bank account.

Credit Note

Question: What happens if money has been deducted from my account, but the ticket has not been issued?

In this case, you are issued a credit note equivalent to the amount that has been deducted from your account. The amount in the credit note can be used for future flight bookings via udChalo.

Question: What is credit note? How do I avail my credit note amount?

A credit note is the amount instantly credited to you in case of booking failures. You will receive an email to your registered email address with the link to view your credit amount and credit note code. Once you open the link you are taken to the page of your credit note details. To avail, apply your credit note code during checkout for your next booking.

Question: Can I get my credit note amount refunded to my bank account?

Yes, you may click on the credit note link sent to you on your registered email address and click on the refund button. The refund will take a minimum of 6 working days.

Question: What if my credit note amount does not match the cost of the flight I am currently trying to book?

In case your booking amount is MORE than your credit note amount, avail the credit note amount and pay the balance online. In case your booking amount is LESS than your credit note amount, the balance will remain in the credit note for your future payments/refunds.

Source – UdChalo.com

The post Concessional Air Ticket For Indian Armed Forces – FAQ – UdChalo.com appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

“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

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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/

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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

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