LTC - Request for seeking relaxation for booking of air tickets from private travel agents: DoPT OM dt 10-12-2018
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 occurred 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
Sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Proforma for sending the request for seeking relaxation for booking of air tickets for the purpose of LTC from private travel agents.
The Administrative Ministry/Department needs to examine each case on the
following parameters and where the Ministry/Department is satisfied
that a bonafide mistake has occurred and undue hardship is being caused
in any particular case, it may be sent to this Department in the
following Proforma along with supporting documents:-
| S.No. | Criteria | Response |
| 1. | Whether booking of air tickets on LTC has been done according to the prescribed procedure. If no, reasons thereof . | |
| 2. | Whether the employee has travelled by Air India flight or any other airlines as authorised by the Government for the purpose of LTC from time to time? | |
| 3. | If answer to s.no. 1 above is 'No', then such cases shall not be considered for relaxation. | |
| 4. | Whether the tickets were purchased at LTC-80 fare or less? | |
| 5. | It may be confirmed/ verified from the concerned airlines whether the tickets were booked at the same price on the date of booking as indicated on the ticket? | |
| 6. | Whether the Govt. servant has availed of any tour package or other facility from the travel agent except the tickets? | |
| 7. | The tickets may be checked for any additional, hidden or superfluous charges. If yes, the same shall not be admissible . · | |
| 8. | Government servant shall submit a self certification to his office/Administration that he has not availed of any tour package or any other facility from the travel agent except the tickets. |
*N.B. - If it is found that any fraudulent attempt has been made by the
Government servant to inflate the LTC claim, it shall make him/her
liable for appropriate action under Rule 16 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988 and
the relevant disciplinary rules.
Source: [https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF_1_20181210160318904.pdf]