F.No.
31011/4/2014-Estt (A.IV)
Government of
India
Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of
Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 19th June, 2014
OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
Subject: - Clarification
regarding purchase of Air Tickets from Authorized Travel Agents for the purpose
of LTC.
The undersigned is
directed to refer to the instructions issued from time to time on the above
noted subject and say that the Government employees are required to book their
air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines)
or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie
& Company'. 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tour' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC
is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No.31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009)
while undertaking LTC journey(s).
2. In a number of cases, it has been
noticed that the aforesaid instructions are not being followed and as a result
various Ministries/Departments continue to make references to DoPT seeking
relaxation of the conditions for one reason or the other. The most common
reasons given by the employees are unawareness of the rules and
non-availability of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Ashok Tmvels, M/s Balmer
Lawrie & Company at places where the tickets have been booked from. Even in
such cases, the option of booking directly from the airlines through their
website is available. In no case is the booking of tickets through any other
agency is permissible.
3. All the Ministries/Departments of
Government of India are advised to ensure that their employees are made aware
of the above mentioned guidelines to avoid breach of any of the LTC
rules.
4. This issues with the approval of
Joint Secretary(E).
sd/-
(B.Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Source : www.persmin.gov.in
