No.31011/3/2013-Estt
(A.IV)
Government Of India
Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department Of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
Government Of India
Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department Of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
North Block,
New Delhi – 110 001
Dated July 12, 2016
Dated July 12, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:
Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be
followed.
The
undersigned is directed to enclose a copy of draft O.M.on the subject noted
above for comments within 15 days to the undersigned (email
address:jha.sn@nic.in)
(Surya
Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India
Under secretary to the Government of India
No.31011/3/2013-Estt(A.IV)
Government Of India
Ministry Of personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
Government Of India
Ministry Of personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
North Block,
New Delhi – 110 001
Dated: ,2016
Dated: ,2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:
Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession – Guidelines to
be followed.
The
undersigned is directed to say that some instances where some Government
servants colluded with private travel agents to submit LTC claims showing
inflated airfare to clandestinely obtain undue benefits like free
boarding/lodging/transport of cash refunds have come to notice of the
Government.
2. In order
to curb these malpractices the following steps may be taken:
(i) As per
instructions reiterated from time to time, in all cases whenever a Govt.
Servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either
directly through 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’. Proposals from different Ministries/Departments
for relaxation continue to be received on the plea that the Government servant
was not aware of this requirement. Vide the OM dated No.31011/3/2015-Estt
(A.IV) dated 18th February, 2016 detailed guidelines on submission and
processing of claims were circulated These guidelines are required to be made
available to Government servants whenever they apply for LTC. Plea of ignorance
of the instructions therefore cannot be used by such Government Servants.
The nodal
Ministries of M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. (Ministry of petroleum and Natural
Gas), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (Ministry of Tourism) and IRCTC (Ministry
of Railways) shall issue instructions to these organisations to ensure
compliance to the instructions issues vide O.M.dated 18th February, 2016 on
issue of air tickets. Any violation of these instructions shall invite
blacklisting.
(ii) Vide the
Department of Expenditure’s O.M.No.19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 04.03.2011, it was
clarified that reimbursement of air fare lower than LTC-80 fare of Air India is
admissible for the journey(s) performed by Air India under LTC-80. LTC-80 fare
is to be used as the ceiling beyond which no claim will be entertained. It has
now been decided that in accordance with the canons of financial propriety,
Government servants should purchase tickets at the lowest rate available at the
time of booking for the date and time of scheduled journey. Government servant
will be required to submit the print out of the tickets showing date and time
of booking in addition to the fare charged. It may, however, be kept in mind
that in some cases of cancellation/rescheduling, a refund fee may be
applicable. This will be borne by the employee unless the journey had to be
rescheduled/cancelled due to exigencies of work. The Authority which has
approved the LTC will have the powers to cancel or reschedule it.
From
Pre-Page:
(iii) While
submitting the LTC claim after completion of the LTC journey, the Govt. Servant
will be required to submit a self-certificate on plain paper as follows:
(1) I certify
that the airfare claimed by me is in respect of the fare charged by the Airline
for the air journey only and does not include any charges for any
facility/undue benefit including boarding/lodging/local transport.
(2) I also
certify that I have booked the ticket at the lowest fare available for the
destination at the time of booking for the scheduled date and time of
departure. I am aware that suppression of any information or furnishing wrong
information will render me liable to disciplinary action.
3. The
Administrative Ministries/Department may also from time to time do random
checks from airlines whether the tickets were booked at the lowest fare
available on that date. Attention of the Ministries/Departments is also invited
to Rule 3(1)(i) of the Central Civil services (conduct) Rules, 1964 which
requires the Government servants to maintain absolute integrity at all times.
In addition, cheating/fraud also attract various sections of the India Penal
code 1860. Ministries/Departments should therefore not hesitate to take severe
action against employees guilty of deliberate malpractices, particularly in
collusion with travel agents etc.
4. All the
Ministries/Departments of Government of India are requested to bring the
contents of this O.M. to the notice of all concerned.
(Surya
Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India
Under secretary to the Government of India
