**Executive Summary:**
This document comprises two circulars, the first from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) referencing a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Office Memorandum (O.M.) regarding air ticket booking procedures for Leave Travel Concession (LTC). The second document outlines the procedure for booking air tickets on LTC and compliance instructions, emphasizing adherence to authorized channels and detailing conditions for relaxation in case of non-compliance. Ministries/Departments are advised to ensure wide circulation and strict compliance with the guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Authorized Booking Channels for LTC Air Travel:**
* Government servants claiming LTC by air must book tickets directly from airlines (booking counters or websites) or through authorized travel agents.
* Authorized travel agents are "M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company," "M/s Ashok Travels & Tours," and "IRCTC" (to the extent authorized by DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2008).
* **Strict Compliance & Exceptions:**
* Ministries/Departments must ensure wide circulation and strict compliance with booking guidelines.
* Relaxation for booking through private travel agents will only be considered if a bonafide mistake occurred, undue hardship is caused, and the Administrative Ministry/Department is satisfied.
* **Relaxation Request Procedure:**
* A specific proforma must be completed and submitted with supporting documents when seeking relaxation.
* The proforma includes criteria such as adherence to prescribed booking procedures, airline used (Air India or authorized), ticket fare (LTC-80 or less), price verification with the airline, and availing of tour packages.
* Self-certification confirming no tour package was availed is required.
* **Fraudulent Claims:**
* Any fraudulent attempt to inflate LTC claims will result in action under Rule 16 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988, and relevant disciplinary rules.
**Impact Analysis:**
**Ministries/Departments:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for ensuring wide circulation and strict compliance with the outlined air ticket booking procedures for LTC. They are also tasked with evaluating requests for relaxation in cases of bonafide mistakes and undue hardship.
* *Action Required:* Disseminate the information to all government servants. Evaluate relaxation requests using the provided proforma, ensuring all necessary supporting documents are included.
**Government Servants claiming LTC by Air:**
* *Impact:* Must adhere to the prescribed procedure for booking air tickets through authorized channels (airlines or specified travel agents). Non-compliance may result in denial of LTC claims unless a bonafide mistake can be demonstrated.
* *Action Required:* Book air tickets for LTC through authorized channels. If a mistake occurs, prepare a request for relaxation with supporting documents and self-certification.
**CDSCO**
*Impact:* Responsible for internal compliance and circulation of information.
*Action Required:* Download and comply with the policy.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: A ministry of the Government of India.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation: An organisation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, responsible for drug regulation.
DOPT O.M. No, No. 3101122018stt A.1V dated 10.12.2018: Office Memorandum from the Department of Personnel and Training regarding procedure for booking of air tickets on LTC compliance of instructions.
Department of Personnel and Training: A department under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India.
LTC: Leave Travel Concession, a benefit provided to Government servants in India.
M/s Balmer Lawrie Company: One of the authorized travel agents for booking air tickets on LTC for Government servants.
M/s Ashok Travels & Tours: One of the authorized travel agents for booking air tickets on LTC for Government servants.
IRCTC: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, an authorized travel agent for booking air tickets on LTC for Government servants.
A-19011/11/2012-Drugs
Government of India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
‘Admin. Section
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi,
Dated-af4September, 2019,
CIRCULAR
Attention is invited to DOPT’s O.M. No, No. 31011/2/2018-€stt (A.1V)
dated 10.12.2018 regarding procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC —
compliance of instructions. The O.M. is available on the website of DOPT
https://dopt.gov.inf —> notifications — > OMs and orders —> 13,
Establishment —>LTC rules”. The O.M. will also be available on the website of
CSCO (HQ) ie. https://edsco.gov.in.
2. All the addressees are requested to download the same from the
‘websites for information and strict compliance.
isco eta)
Dy. Director Admin
€0SC0 (Ha)
Copy for similar action to:
All Directors/Directors-In-Charge of Laboratories under CDSCO
All ODC(i), Zones/ Sub-Zones under CDSCO
Copy also to : IT Cell, CDSCO (HQ) with a request to upload this O.M. along with the
above mentioned DOPT’s OM dated 10.12.2018 on the CDSCO website
under notification —> circulars.No. 31011/2/2018-Estt (A.1V)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-lV Desk
North Block, New Deihi-110 001
Dated: December 10, 2018
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC — compliance of instructions
regarding.
‘The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M, No, 31011/5/2014-
Estl AIV dated 24.09.2014, 23.09.2015 and 21.08.2017 on the procedure for booking of air
tickets on LTC and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant
claims LTC by air, he/she is requited to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking
counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz.
"Mis 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-Est(A) dated 02.12.2008) while
undertaking LTC journey(s)
2 In this regard, itis observed that despite reiterating the above instructions from time
to time, this Department still continues to receive numerous references from various
Ministries/Departments and individuals seeking relaxation for booking of air tickets for the
purpose of LTC through private travel agents, In most of the cases, the common reasons cited
by the Government employees are lack of awareness of the rules and work exigencies.
3. Therefore, all the Ministries/Departments are advised to ensure wide circulation and
strict compliance of the guidelines stated in para 1 of this OM. 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. It is stated that henceforth only those cases, where itis
established that bonafide mistake has occured and the Administrative Ministry/Department is
satisfied that undue hardship is being caused to the Government servant, shall be considered
by this Department for relaxation provided that the information is received in the Proforma
enclosed along with supporting documents
Encl. As above
Under Secretary to the Government of India
To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India
(As per the standard lst)
Contd.From pre-page:
Copy to:
Comptroller & Auditor General of India, New Delhi
Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi
Central Vigilance Commission, New Delhi
Central Bureau of Investigations, New Delhi
Parliament Library, New Delhi
All Union Territory Administrations.
Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariat
All attached and Subordinate Offices of Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions,
Hindi section for Hindi version,Proforma for sending the request for seeking relaxation for booking of air tickets for the
purpose of LTC from private travel agents.
‘The Administrative Ministry/Department needs to examine each case on the following
Parameters and where the Ministry/Department is satisfied that a bonafide mistake has
occurred and undue hardship is being caused in any particular case, it may be sent to this
Department in the following Proforma along with supporting documents
S.No. Criteria Response
7. | Whether booking of air tickets on LTC has
been done according to the prescribed
procedure. If no, reasons thereof.
2. | Whether the employee has travelled by Air
India fight or any other airlines as authorised
by the Government for the purpose of LTC
from time to time?
3. | TF answer to s.no. 1 above is ‘No’, then such
cases shall not be considered for relaxation
4, | Whether the tickets were purchased at LTC-80
fare or less?
5. |it may be confirmed? verified from the
‘concerned airlines whether the tickets were
booked at the same price on the date of
booking as indicated on the ticket?
& | Whether the Govt, servant has availed of any
tour package or other facility from the travel
agent except the tickets?
7. | The tickets may be checked for any additional,
hidden or superfluous charges. If yes, the
same shall not be admissible.
% | Government servant shall submit a sel
certification to his office/Administration that he
has not availed of any tour package or any
other facility from the travel agent except the |
tickets,
*N.B.~ If itis found that any fraudulent attempt has been made by the Government servant to
inflate the LTC claim, it shall make himvher liable for appropriate action under Rule 16
of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988 and the relevant disciplinary rules,