TA applies only to Air Tickets purchased from Authorised Agents

[R]eferring to Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure. OM No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16.9.2010, the Controller General Defence Account Department has issued the following Order.

Recently, several cases have been received in this HQrs office seeking clarification on admissibility of TA/DA/LTC claims, on journeys performed by Air India/Private airlines by officers, on Tour/LTC by purchasing air tickets through a private travel agent other than Balmer Lawrie & Company and M/s Ashok Travels & Tours in violations of the guidelines laid down in Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure, OM dated 16/09/2010.

In this connection it is once again reiterated that in terms of the provisions contained in MoF, Deptt. of Expenditure OM dated 16/0912010, 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. In the event of air journey being performed by private airlines on Tour/LTC, by seeking deviations from Ministry of Civil Aviation, the bookings of tickets is also required to be done invariably through the authorized travel agents only.

Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure, to whom the matter was referred for clarification on the matter have reiterated that the guidelines as laid down in MoF, Deptt of Exp OM dated 16/09/2010 have to strictly complied with.

In view of what has been brought out in preceding paras, it is once again reiterated and enjoined upon all concerned that the guidelines laid down in Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure, OM dated 16/09/2010, regarding air travel and booking of air tickets through the authorized travel agents only, on tour/LTC, have to be strictly complied with. Further in the event of travel by private airlines, where the necessary deviation has or is being sought from Ministry of Civil Aviation, due to non-availability of Air India flights, it may also please be ensured that the bookings for travel on tour/LTC is also done through the authorized travel agents only.

Download order of CGDA in No. AN/XIV/14162/TA/DA/LTC dated 24.08.2011

This is text of of DOPT  Office Memorandum No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16th September, 2010 regarding Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/L.T.C.:

This Department is receiving repeated references seeking clarifications  with regard to purchase of Air Tickets through authorised 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 13.7.09.

(ii) Air Tickets may be purchases directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of  Authorised 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) dated 2.12.09).

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 OM No.31011/2/2003-Estt.(A-IV) dated 18.6.10 and 05.08.10 refer).

(ii) For purchase of Air tickets, however, the procedure as given under para 2(iv) above should be followed.