Relaxation to travel by airlines other than Air India while availing LTC will be granted only in exceptional circumstances. Non availability of Air India Flight or Seat on a particular on a particular day or time will not be considered a reason for relaxation
LTC and Official Tour in Private Airlines – Ministry of Finance issues Guidelines for all Central Government Employees to travel by Private Airlines other than Air India – Powers for relaxation has been delegated to Financial Advisers of Ministry
Department of Expenditure has published an OM regarding procedure to be followed by Govt Officials for travelling through private airlines.
No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
*****
New Delhi, dated the 7th June, 2016 .
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub:- Delegation of powers to Financial Advisers to
accord exemption for air travel in airlines other than Air India in
individual cases – reg.
Reference is invited to Department of Expenditure’s O.M. of
even number dated 13th July 2009 which 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. For cases of air travel by Airlines
other than Air India because of operational or other reasons or on
account of non-availability,
the powers were vested with Ministry of Civil Aviation to accord exemption in individual cases.
2.The matter has been examined in consultation
with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Accordingly, powers
are hereby delegated to the Financial Advisers
of the Ministries/Departments to accord exemption for air
travel, both Domestic and International, by airlines other than Air
India. In respect of individual cases of Autonomous Bodies, the
Financial Advisers of the concerned Ministry/ Department will accord
exemption for Air travel by Airlines other than Air India. The
individual cases of Financial Advisers for air travel in airlines
other than Air India, will be approved by the administrative
Secretary of the concerned Ministry.
3. To regulate the individual claims,
guidelines and proforma for seeking relaxation for travel by airlines other than Air India, are enclosed at Annexure – A & B.
(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Tel.23093276
Annexure- “A”
GUIDELINES FOR RELAXATION TO‘TRAVEL BY AIRLINES OTHER THAN AIR INDIA
1. Request for seeking relaxation is required to be submitted in the Proforma (Annex. B)
2. The request for relaxation must be
submitted to Integrated Finance Division at least 7 working days in
advance from date of travel.
3. There is no requirement to seek relaxation for those
Sectors on which General/blanket relaxation has been accorded by
Ministry of Civil Aviation.
4. Those seeking relaxation on ground of Non-Availability of Seats (NAS) must enclose NAS Certificate issued by authorized
travel agents or a copy of the sector specific snapshot of Air India
website.
5. As per Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM
No.19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13th July, 2009 for sectors which are not
connected directly by any of the airlines, an employee must travel
by Air India upto the nearest hub. Relaxation will be granted for
the remaining segment.
6. Relaxation to travel by airlines other than Air India
while availing LTC will be granted only in exceptional
circumstances. Non availability of AI flight/seats on
a particular day/time would not be considered as a valid ground for
seeking relaxation.
7. Availability of lower fare is no criteria for seeking relaxation.
8. Those seeking relaxation on the ground of attending meeting
at a particular time, must attach meeting notice and approved tour
programme.
9. For foreign travel cases, where full or partial grants
are received, journey has to be performed on Air India upto the
place upto which Air India is available and seek relaxation
for the remaining sector. On international routes where Air
India has code share partner, the same must be utilised.
10. For invitees from abroad travelling on Government of
India funding, efforts should be made to book them on Air India and
Air India code share flights to the extent possible.
11.Non-receipt of approval by the stipulated date does not entitle one to claim, relaxation as a matter of right.
*****
Annexure-B
PROFORMA FOR RELAXATION TO TRAVEL BY AIRLINES OTHER THAN AIR INDIA
| Sl
No.. |
Item of Information |
Remarks |
| 1. |
Name |
|
| 2. |
Designation |
|
| 3. |
Name of the Organization/Division |
|
| 4. |
Date of visit |
|
| 5. |
Whether Foreign travel/ Domestic travel/ LTC |
|
| 6. |
In case of official visit, copy of approved tour programme |
|
| 7. |
Whether entitled for Air travel as per rules. If not, copy of approval of competent authority for air travel |
|
| 8. |
Detailed reasons for seeking permission to travel in airlines other than Air India (Foreign/ Domestic): |
|
| 9. |
Attach print out of communication with official website of Air
India and Govt authorized travel agents viz. Ashok Travels&
Tours, Balmer Lawrie & Co. and IRCTC regarding the above reasons
or official communication from Air India and these agencies. |
|
| 10. |
In case of foreign travel, whether full or part journey is proposed through alliance partner of Air India |
|
| 11. |
Undertaking from the travelling official that in case permission
is granted for air journey other than by Air India,
he/she will avail the cheapest available ticket in the entitled
category among the options of various private airlines operating
in that sector. |
|
(Signature of the individual travelling) (Signature of the Head of the Office)
RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION/ MINISTRY
*(Signature of Joint Secretary)
*Note:In case the individual travelling is holding
the appointment of JS or above in the Ministry, no separate
approval of Head of the Organization and approval of the
Administrative Division/Ministry is required. In. such cases,
self-certification by the travelling officer GS &above) will
be sufficient for submitting their proposal for grant of the said
permission.
