Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

RBE No.50/2020

No. F(E)1/2020/AL-28/13

New Delhi,
dated 08.07.2020 :

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways etc.
(As per-Standard Mailing List)

Sub: Guidelines for air travel on Official Tours; sending requests through e-mail only.

In accordance with the instructions contained in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s O.M. Nos. 19024/1/2009-E-IV, dated 13.07.2009, 16.09.2010 & 28.07.2011 on the subject, as communicated by Ministry of Civil Aviation, certain guidelines (alongwith the proforma for seeking relaxation to travel by airline other than Air India, as issued by MoF) were circulated vide Board’s letter: No. F(E)I/2016/AL-28/25 dated 16:05.2016 regarding-grant of permission to travel by airlines other than Air India for official air travel (both domestic and international) by Railway officers. The guidelines were reiterated/ re-circulated and updated a from time to time on the receipt of further instructions from MoF.

2. At present, the request of Railway officers for air travel including those seeking relaxation to travel by airline other than Air India are being received in Board’s Office for approval either by post or by fax, both are paper consuming media. More so, request by post are most often received after the scheduled date of journey, while these should reach at least. 07 working days in advance from the date of journey.

3. For some time past, emphasis is being given on paper-less office. Recently, the use of e-office has been made compulsory in Board’s Office and all files are to be put up electronically, through e-office portal. Also, in the present situation of COVID-19 pandemic, handling of papers, physical files are not advisable.

4. Recently economy, austerity and cost control measures have been circulated to all Indian Railways through Board (FC)’s D.O. letter No. 2015-B-235, dated 19.06.2020. Para-I.(f) & V.Q) of Enclosure to this letter inter alia provides for reduction in instances of TA by 50% and curtailment of travel expenditure. While Para-V. (b) inter alia provides that for correspondences secure e-mail should be used.

Also check: Quarantine leave provision due to pandemic situation – Re-introduction – NFIR

5. In view of the above, all Indian Railways/PUs are advised that:

(i) travel by air should be avoided as far as possible, guidelines issued by Board’s Office in this regard from time-to time should be strictly adhered to.

(ii) all the requests for air travel including those seeking relaxation /permission to travel by other than Air India flight must be submitted to Railway Board at least 07 working days in advance from the scheduled date of travel, in duly filled proforma prescribed by MoF, alongwith all necessary documents e.g. tour programme duly approved by competent authority, papers Indicating the non-availability of AI flights etc. through email only (preferably by NIC mail).

6. The email ID for the purpose is airtravel.fel@rb.railnet.gov.in. The request may be mailed under the subject line “Air travel Request”

7. This issues with the approval of Board (FC)

8. Strict compliance of the letter may be ensured.

9. Please acknowledge receipt.

(Vikas Makhijani)
Deputy Director Finance/DFC .
Railway Board.

No. F(E)I/2020/AL-28/13

New Delhi, dated 08.07.2020

Copy to: Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General. of India (Rlys.), R.No.222, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi.

For Financial Commissioner/Railways.

No. F(E)1/2020/AL-28/ 13

New Delhi, dated 08.07.2020

Copy forwarded to: Principal Financial Adviser, All Indian Railways including Construction Units, Production Units

(Vikas Makhijani)
Deputy Director Finance/DFC
Railway Board

Source: indianrailways.gov.in

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NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

No. 11/10

Dated: 19/05/2015

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Treatment of period of Railway employees sent for medical treatment of serious ailments like Cancer, Tuberculosis or Polio myelitis -reg.

Federation desires to invite attention of the Railway Board to the provisions contained in Rule No. 1676 (1) extract of which is reproduced below:-

“A Railway servant suffering from Cancer, Tuberculosis or Polio myelitis who is sent to a hospital referred in Rule 643 RI for treatment on the advice of the authorised Medical Attendant shall be entitled to travelling allowance as for a journey on tour to and from the place of treatment, but no daily allowance shall be admissible for any halts”

As per the above provision Railway employee or a family member of the employee if suffering from Cancer, Tuberculoses or Polio myelitis and sent to Railway Hospital or referred to another Hospital for treatment is entitled for payment of travelling allowance similar to the journey on tour, to and from the place of treatment.

NFIR has noted that the rules, however, do not cover the period of absence during the medical treatment of the Railway employee or member of his/her family. Reports received by the Federation from Zones/Divisions reveal that Railway employees have been facing difficulties in absence of adequate provision as the period spent by the employee is debited against ‘leave due‘ and sometimes leads to ‘Nil’ balance which causes further hardships as the employees are denied salary due to non- availability of adequate amount of leave in the leave account.

NFIR, therefore requests the Railway Board to make suitable provision in the rules for treating such periods as duty, may be, on production of medical certificate from the authorised medical officer and issue instructions accordingly. This will send a right message among the Railway employees as a positive welfare measure. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B40Q65NF2_7UMjJHOXdQUi1SUmM/view]

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Subject- Travelling Allowance in respect of Attendant/Escort for accompanying a Government Servant with Disabilities on travel during tour/training etc.

Source: finmin.nic.in/

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No.7(1)/E.Coord.l2014
Government of India
Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi, October, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Expenditure Management – Economy Measures and Rationalisation of Expenditure.

Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure has been ‘” issuing austerity instructions from time to time with a view to containing non-developmental expenditure and releasing of additional resources for priority schemes. The last set of instructions was issued on is” September 2013 after passing of the Union Budget. Such measures are intended at promoting fiscal discipline, without restricting the operational efficiency of the Government. In the context of the current fiscal situation, there is a need to continue to rationalise expenditure and optimize available resources. With this objective, the following measures for fiscal prudence and economy will come into immediate effect:-

2.1 Cut in Non-Plan expenditure:
For the year 2014-15, every Ministry / Department shall effect a mandatory 10% cut in non-Plan expenditure excluding interest payment, repayment of debt, Defence capital, salaries, pension and Finance Commission grants to the States. No re-appropriation of funds to augment the Non-Plan heads of expenditure on which cuts have been imposed shall be allowed during the current fiscal year.

2.2 Seminars and Conferences:
(i) Utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conferences/ Seminars/workshops. Only such conferences, workshops, seminars, etc. which are absolutely essential, should be held wherein also a 10% cut on budgetary allocations (whether Plan or Non-Plan) shall be effected.

(ii) Holding of exhibitions/fairs/seminars/conferences abroad is strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibitions for trade promotion.

(iii) There will be a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at five star hotels except in case of bilateral/multilateral official engagements to be held at the level of Minister-in-Charge or Administrative Secretary, with foreign Governments or international bodies of which India is a Member. The Administrative Secretaries are advised to exercise utmost discretion in holding such meetings in 5-Star hotels keeping in mind the need to observe utmost economy in expenditure.

2.3 Purchase of vehicles:
Purchase of new vehicles to meet the operational requirement of Defence Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces & security related organizations are permitted. Ban on purchase of other vehicles (including staff cars) will continue except against condemnation.

2.4 Domestic and International Travel:
(i) Travel expenditure {both Domestic Travel Expenses (DTE) and Foreign Travel Expenses(FTE)} should be regulated so as to ensure that each Ministry remains within the allocated budget for the same after taking into account the mandatory 10% cut under DTE/FTE (Plan as well as Non-Plan). Re-appropriation! augmentation proposals on this account would not be approved.

(ii)While officers are entitled to vanous classes of air travel depending on seniority, utmost economy would need to be observed while exercising the choice keeping the limitations of budget in mind. However, there would be no bookings in First Class.”

(iii) Facility of Video Conferencing may be used effectively. All extant instructions on foreign travel may be scrupulously followed.

(iv) In all cases of air travel the lowest air fare tickets available for entitled class are to be purchased! procured. No companion free ticket on domestic/ international travel is to be availed of.

Creation of Posts
(i) There will be a ban on creation of Plan and Non-Plan posts.

(ii) Posts that have remained vacant for more than a year are not to be revived except under very rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance of Department of Expenditure.

3. Observance of discipline in fiscal transfers to States, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies at Central/ State/Local level:

3.1 Release of Grant-in-aid shall be strictly as per provisions contained in GFRs and in Department of Expenditure’s OM No.7(1)/E.Coord/2012 dated 14.ll.2012.

3.2 Ministries/Departments shall not transfer funds under any Plan schemes in relaxation of conditions attached to such transfers (such as matching funding).

3.3 The State Governments are required to furnish monthly returns of Plan expenditure – Central, Centrally Sponsored or State Plan – to respective Ministries/Departments along with a report on amounts ouistanding in their Public Account in respect of Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. This requirement may be scrupulously enforced.

3.4 The Chief Controller of Accounts must ensure compliance with the above as part ofpre-payment scrutiny.

4. Balanced Pace of Expenditure:

4.1 As per extant instructions, not more than one-third (33%) of the Budget Estimates may be spent in the last quarter of the financial year. Besides, the stipulation that during the month of March the expenditure should be limited to 15% of the Budget Estimates is reiterated. It may be emphasized here that the restriction of 33% and 15% expenditure ceiling is to be enforced both scheme-wise as well as for the Demands for Grant as a whole, subject to RE ceilings. Ministries/ Departments which are covered by the Monthly Expenditure Plan (MEP) may ensure that the MEP is followed strictly.

The State Governments are required to furnish monthly returns of Plan expenditure – Central, Centrally Sponsored or State Plan – to respective Ministries/Departments along with a report on amounts outstanding in their Public Account in respect of Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. This requirement may be scrupulously enforced.

4.2 It is also considered desirable that in the last month of the year payments may be made- only for the goods and services actually procured and for reimbursement of expenditure already incurred. Hence, no amount should be released in advance (in the last month) with the exception of the following:

(i) Advance payments to contractors under terms of duly executed contracts so that Government would not renege on its legal or contractual obligations.

(ii) Any loans or advances to Government servants etc. or private individuals as a measure of relief and rehabilitation as per service conditions or on compassionate grounds.

(iii) Any other exceptional case with the approval of the Financial Advisor. However, a list of such cases may be sent by the FA to the Department of Expenditure by so” April of the following year for information.

4.3 Rush of expenditure on procurement should be avoided during the last quarter of the fiscal year and in particular the last month of the year so as to ensure that all procedures are complied with and there is no infructuous or wasteful expenditure. FAs are advised to specially monitor this aspect during their reviews.

5. No fresh financial commitments should be made on items which are not provided for in the budget approved by the Parliament.

6. These instructions would also be applicable to autonomous bodies funded by Government of India.

7. Compliance
Secretaries of the Ministries / Departments, being the Chief Accounting Authorities as per Rule 64 of GFR, shall be fully charged with the responsibility of ensuring compliance of the measures outlined above. Financial Advisors shall assist the respective Departments in securing compliance with these measures and also submit an overall report to the Minister-in-Charge and to the Ministry of Finance on a quarterly basis regarding various actions taken on these measures / guidelines.

(Ratan P.Watal)
Secretary(Expenditure)

Source: www.finmin.nic.in
[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/emre/Austerityinstructions2014.pdf]

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No. 19024/1/2012-E-IV
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 authorised 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’ @ 100/- per ticket for domestic sector and .7300/- 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 consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Department of Legal Affairs, in the light of provisions of the Aircrafts 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 fee/service charges (by whatever nomenclature), which are not included in the ‘tariff’ charged by Air India/Airlines, are required to be paid to the authorised travel agents.

3. Payment to the authorised travel agents for the Bills raised by them for air tickets procured/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 counters/offices/website) and if obtaining tickets directly from Air India/Airlines is not possible, should the services of authorised travel agents be availed of.

4. All Ministries/Departments are advised to bring these instructions to the notice of all concerned for compliance.

sd/-
(Subhash Chand)
Director

Source: http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/air_travel/facilitaionFee_AirTicket_withdrawal05092014.pdf

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“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.”

No. A-27023/1/2014-Ad.VI(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board Direct Taxes)

New Delhi, the 24th January, 2014

To
All CCsIT/DGF.IT

Subject:- Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC.

Sir/Madam,
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.

Yours faith fully,
sd/-
(RajKumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Dy.No.212615/Cash-2013
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

New Delhi, the 2nd January 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: 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.

sd/-
(Rajinder Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

F.No.19024/1/2009-E.IV

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Expenditure)

New Delhi dated the 16th September, 2010.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: 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.

Source: http://irsofficersonline.gov.in/Documents/OfficalCommunique/1127201410619.PDF

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Subject: Air Travel on official account — relaxation of government instructions regarding.

Source: http://civilaviation.gov.in OM regarding Relaxation in Air Travel

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

CIRCULAR

No. AT/IV/4462/LTC Claim

Dated: 12/07/2013

To
All PCsDA/CsDA
PCoA (Fstrs) Kolkata

Sub: Booking of Air Tickets through agents other than the ones authorized by the Government.

Ref: GoI, Min of Finance, Dept of Expenditure OM No. 19024/1/2009-E IV dated:16th Sept’ 2010.

Please find enclosed copy of MoD ID No. 3(3)/2013/D(Mov) dated: 24th June’2013 regarding the subject mentioned above. In this connection it has been advised by the MoD to follow the extent orders mentioned under reference to regulate claims of similar nature. This is for your information and necessary action please.

sd/-
(Upendra Kumar)
Accounts Officer (AT-IV)

MoD Clarification:-

Ministry of Defence
Q Division

Subject- AHQ’s Proposal regarding one time relaxation of all pending TA/DA claims of Army Officers who travelled on air tickets purchased from private travel agents in violation of extant guidelines of the Ministry of Finance.

The aforesaid proposal was examined in consultation with Defence Finance and it has been directed by the Competent Authority that CGDA to follow extant rules in the matter.

s/-
(Rajkumar)
Director(Q)

MoD ID No. 3(3)/2013/1D(Mov) dated 24th June 2013

Source: http://cgda.nic.in
[http://cgda.nic.in/audit/ltcAirTicket120713.pdf]

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