Booking of LTC Air Tickets allowed only through Authorised Agents – DOPT Clarification
LTC by Air – Booking of LTC Air Tickets allowed only through Authorised Agents ‘M/s  Balmer  Lawrie  &  Company’,  ‘M/s  Ashok  Travels  & Tours’  and  ‘IRCTC’ and through their websites
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 Â 001
Dated:   September  23, 2015
OFFICE Â MEMORANDUM
Subject-  Procedure  for booking  of air-tickets  on LTC- Clarification reg.
The   undersigned    is  directed   to   refer  to  this   Department’s    O.M.   No. 31011/4/2014-Estt.(A-IV)   dated  19th  June,  2014 which  lays down  that the  Government employees  are  required  to  book  the  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  & Tours’  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).  Vide DoPT’s  O.M. 31011/5/2014-Estt.(A IV)  dated  24.09.2014,  the  web-portal  of  these  authorized  travel  agents  will  also  be treated  as  an  acceptable  mode  for  purchase  of air  tickets  on  LTC  subject  to  the conditions  stated  vide  Department  of Expenditure’s  O.M.  No.  19024/1/2012-E-IV  dated 5th  September,  2014.
2.          It  has  been  observed  that  various  Ministries/Departments    continue  to  send references  to  DoPT  seeking  relaxation  regarding   the  booking   of  air  tickets  for  the purpose  of  LTC from  the  travel  agents  not  authorised   by  the  aforesaid   O.M .. In most  of  the  cases,  the  common   reason  stated  by  the  LTC  beneficiaries    is  that they  were  not  aware  of the  guidelines   and  inadvertently    booked  the  tickets  from other  travel  agents.
3.     All  the  Ministries/   Departments    are  advised  to  ensure  a wide  circulation   of the  guidelines    as  stated   in  para  ,1  of  this  O.M..  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.
(M.P. Rama Rao)
Under Secretary  to the Government  of India
Download DOPT Office Memorandum No.31011/5/2014-Estt (A.IV) dated 23.09.2015