LTC by Air for Non-Entitled Government Employees

Interesting question in Parliament on LTC by Air for Non-Entitled Government Employees using LTC 80 Tickets to NER, J&K and Andaman & Nicobar

An interesting question was asked by a member in Rajya Sabha Recently on Relaxation given by Government for allowing Employees who are not entitled for air travel, to travel by air using LTC 80 Tickets when they travel to North Eastern Region, Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman and Nicobar.

Click here to read DOPT Office Memorandum No. 31011/ 3/ 2014-Estt.(A-IV) dated 26.09.2014

The member has questioned that whether Government Employees are permitted to travel by air from their headquarters under this relaxation to travel by Air to NER, J&K and A&N.

Government has replied to this question to the effect that non-entitled employees have been allowed to travel by air to NER, J&K and A&N only between

1. Kolkata/Guwahati and any place in NER,

2. Kolkata/Chennai/Bhubaneswar and Port Blair, and

3. Delhi/Amritsar and any place in J&K

The other question put forth by the member was whether split journey from headquarters to Kolkata, Chennai, or Bhubaneswar by train in entitled class and thereafter by air in economy class from Air India burden more on the exchequer than the direct flight through flexi fare from Air India.

To this Question, Government has replied that it is not possible to quantify the same

The full text of this Rajya Sabha Q&A is as follows

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 2907

ANSWERED ON 18.12.2014

 
LTC 80 for non entitled Government Servant
2907 SHRIMATI BIMLA KASHYAP SOOD

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether travel by air under LTC 80 fare is allowed to non-entitled Government Servants in certain sectors;
(b) if so, whether they are permitted to travel by air from their headquarters, if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether split journey from headquarters to Kolkata, Chennai, or Bhubaneswar by train in entitled class and thereafter by air in economy class from Air India burden more on the exchequer than the direct flight through flexi fare from Air India; and
(d) whether Government proposes to allow such employees to travel by air from headquarters in economy class on flexi fare by Air India?

 

ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): Government servants not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by air in Economy class in the following sectors between:
(i) Kolkata/Guwahati and any place in NER
(ii) Kolkata/Chennai/Bhubaneswar and Port Blair
(iii) Delhi/Amritsar and anyplace in J&K
(c): It is not possible to quantify in exact terms as this would depend on multiple factors like distance between the Headquarters and Kolkata/Chennai/Bhubaneswar, entitlement of class of journey by train, i.e. II Tier AC or III Tier AC etc.
(d): There is no such proposal at present.

 

Source: rajyasabha.nic.in

2 Comments

  1. Your good self is requested to supply clarificatory information on the following points :-
    1. OM No. 31011/3/2014-Estt (A-IV) dt. 26.9.2014 para-iii permits the non-entitled government servants to travel by air in economy class in specified sectors while availing LTC Home Town facility.
    2. Further, para-iv clarifies that the air travel is to be performed by Air India in Economy Class and LTC-80 fare or less.
    3. Para-vi clarifies that the Air Tickets must be purchased from specified organizations only. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Com quoted LTC-80 fare of Rs. 54331 + .63% S.Tax per pax to port blair from Delhi sector.
    4. The LTC-80 air fare notified w.e.f. 13.2.1014 states that the fare to Delhi-Port Blair is Rs. 21516+3650=25166/-. This figure is lower than the Balmer Lawrie & Com quoted LTC-80 fare of Rs. 54331+ taxes.
    5. On the other hand, in case of non-entitled officers, entitled rail fare 2T AC from Delhi to Chennai is 3865/- plus LTC air fare from Chennai to Port Blair sector is 9411 + 2950 = Rs.12361 (munus executive class fare of Rs. 24229/-). This figure is much lower than the Balmer Lawrie & Com quoted LTC-80 fare of Rs. 54331+ taxes.
    6. The fare accommodated by virtue of OM No. 31011/3/2014-Estt (A-IV) dt. 26.9.2014 is not matching with that of notified LTC-80 fares particularly in case of non-entitled officers to travel. Internal audit/accounts wing is not passing the bills, scared if investigations by unwanted agencies. The spirit of the LTC to these areas/sectors is at stake as the expenditure incurred by the incumbent to what he actually been paid/accommodated.
    7. OM No. 31011/2/2006-Estt (A) dt. 11.9.2010 dealing with regulation of journey by Pvt. Air Lines while LTC in Para-2 clarifies that the condition to travel by Air India only need not apply to non-entitled officers.

    reply/information is sought on the following points:
    a) OM No. 31011/3/2014-Estt (A-IV) dt. 26.9.2014 is still in force ?
    b) Non-entitled officers can still travel by private air lines at cheaper air fares currently available in the market and subsequently submit the bills by claiming entitled train fare and LTC-80 fare at economy class + fuel charges ?
    c) If not, please suggest clarificatory instructions to deal with such cases keeping in view the difficulties focused in points 1 to 7 cited above.

    Reply

    1. It is better to purchase Air India LTC ticket directly from Air India (Either offline ticket or online ticket in air India website) in this case

      Reply

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