Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession - Guidelines to be followed.
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
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
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
********
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 or 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 issued vide O.M. dated 18 th 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
papers 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/Departments 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 Indian 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
The Secretaries
All Ministries / Departments of Government of India.
(As per the standard list)