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DoP Order : 7th CPC Children Education Allowance

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igeadmin
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DoP Order : 7th CPC Children Education Allowance

F.No.33-03/2017-PAP
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
(ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION)/PAP SECTION

*********

DAK BHAWAN, SANSAD MARG,
NEW DELHI — 110 001

8th Nov. 2017

To

ALL HEADS OF CIRCLES,
ALL GM (PAF)/DAS (P),
ALL DIRECTORS POSTAL STAFF COLLEGE INDIA/PTCs.

Sub: Recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission —Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Children Education Allowance.

I am directed to forward herewith a copy of extracts of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personne1 & Training’s Office Memorandum No.27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 31.10.2017 on the subject cited above for kind information and further necessary action in this regard.

Encl: As above.

S/d,
(Narender Prakash)
Section Officer (PAP)

No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL)

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and P&PW
Department of Personnel & Training

Block-IV, Old JNU Camws,
New Delhi
Dated: 31.10.2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission — Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Children Education Allowance.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s 0.M.No.12011/04/2008- Estt(AL) dated 11-9-2008 and O.M. No.A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 16/08/2017 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for differently abled children of government employees shall be payable at double the normal rates prescribed. The annual ceiling fixed for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for differently abled children of government employees is now Rs.54,000/-. The rest of the conditions will be the same as stipulated vide 0.M.No.12011/04/2008-Estt(AL) dated 11-9-2008,

2. These orders shall be effective from 1st July, 2017.

3. Hindi version follows.

S/d,
(Navneet Misra)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Signed Copy

Pay element relating to Running Staff / Loco Inspectors after the recommendations of 7th CPC

By
igeadmin
-

Pay element relating to Running Staff / Loco Inspectors after the recommendations of 7th CPC

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(P&A)II-2015/RS-25

New Delhi, dated:13.11.2017

The General Manager,
Metro Railway,
Kolkata.

Sub :- Pay element relating to Running Staff/Loco Inspectors after the recommendations of Seventh CPC.

Please refer to your letter no. MRTS/E.345/0/12/Pt.IV/Misc dt. 05.05.2017 requesting a clarification about the percentage of pay element to be reckoned for the purpose of computation of pensionary benefits in respect of Loco Inspectors. This issue has also been raised by GS/NFIR in his letter no. IV/RSAC/Conf/Pt. VIII dt. 15.09.2017.

2. Loco Inspectors are entitled to 30% add-on pay element for retirement benefits as per paragraph no. 5.5 of Board’s letter no. E(P&A)II/83/RS-10(iv) dt. 25.11.1992 which has not been amended as yet. It is clarified that the pay element (presently 30% until further orders) has to be reckoned in the revised pay structure of Seventh CPC for calculation of pensionary benefits of Loco Inspectors.

3. In this connection it is noted that many retired Loco Inspectors, even after getting the benefit of 30% add-on pay element at the time of pay fixation as Loco Inspectors, have gone to Courts of Law claiming 55% pay element for pensionary benefits equating themselves to the running staff. It is reiterated that Loco Inspectors are not classified as running staff and therefore are not entitled to 55% pay element for pensionary benefits. This fact may be conveyed to such Loco Inspectors while calculating their pensionary benefits.

4.This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Salim Md. Ahmed)
Deputy Director/E(P&A)II,
Railway Board

Signed Copy

Simplification of procedure for treatment at private hospitals empanelled under CGHS

By
igeadmin
-

Simplification of procedure for treatment at private hospitals empanelled under CGHS

File No.Z15025/105/2017/DIR/CGHS
Z 15025/105/2017/DIR/CGHS/EHS
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare
EHS Section
***

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 9th November, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Simplification of procedure for treatment at private hospitals empanelled under CGHS/CS (MA) Rules, 1944

With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to state that this Ministry has been receiving representations for simplification of procedure for undergoing treatment at private hospitals empanelled under CGHS. The matter has been examined and it has now been decided that CGHS beneficiaries are allowed to undergo treatment at private hospitals empanelled under CGHS of specific treatment procedures listed under CGHS rate list are advised by a Specialist in a Central Government / State Govt. Specialist hospital or a CGHS Medical Officer without any requirement of any other referral (permission) letter.

2. Private empanelled hospitals shall perform the treatment on cashless basis in respect of pensioners, ex-MPs, Freedom Fighters, Regular employees {both CGHS and CS (MA) beneficiaries} of this Ministry & other categories of CGHS beneficiaries, who are presently eligible for credit facility and shall enclose the prescription issued by Government Specialist or a CGHS Medical Officer, in original (or a self-attested photocopy) along with the hospital bill submitted to the competent authorities.

3. Serving government employees shall enclose the prescription issued by a Government Specialist or a CGHS Medical Officer in original (or a self-attested photocopy), while submitting the medical claim to the concerned Ministry /department/office for reimbursement.

4. CGHS Medical Officer / Government Specialist shall not refer the beneficiaries to any particular empanelled hospital by name but, shall specify the treatment procedure and mention ‘referred to any CGHS empanelled centre’.

5. These orders are applicable only in respect of treatment procedures for which CGHS rates are available.

6. This issue with the concurrence of IFD vide FTS No. 3130849, dated 09.11.2017.

[Sunil Kumar Gupta]
Under Secretary to Government of India

Signed Copy

Banking Facility For Senior Citizen And Differently Abled Persons – RBI

By
igeadmin
-

Banking Facility For Senior Citizen And Differently Abled Persons – RBI

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

RBI/2017-18/89
DBR.No.Leg.BC.96/09.07.005/2017-18

November 9, 2017

All Scheduled Commercial Banks (including RRBs)
All Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks

Dear Sir/ Madam

Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies – October 4, 2017 – Banking Facility for Senior Citizens and Differently abled Persons

Please refer to Paragraph 8 of Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, released by Reserve Bank of India on October 4, 2017 as part of Fourth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2017-18, a copy of which is enclosed. It has been observed that there are occasions when banks discourage or turn away senior citizens and differently abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches. Notwithstanding the need to push digital transactions and use of ATMs, it is imperative to be sensitive to the requirements of senior citizens and differently abled persons.

2. In view of the above, banks are required to put in place appropriate mechanism with the following specific provisions for meeting the needs of such customers so that they are able to avail of the bank’s services without difficulty.

(a) Dedicated Counters/Preference to Senior Citizens, Differently abled persons

Banks are advised to provide a clearly identifiable dedicated counter or a counter which provides priority to senior citizens and people who are differently abled including visually impaired persons.

(b) Ease of submitting Life Certificate

As per extant guidelines issued by Department of Government and Bank Accounts, in addition to the facility of Digital Life Certificate under “Jeevan Praman” Scheme (refer circular DGBA.GAD.H-2529/45.01.001/2014-15 dated December 9, 2014), pensioners can submit physical Life Certificate form at any branch of the pension paying bank. However, it is observed that often the same is not updated promptly by the receiving branch in the Core Banking Solution (CBS) system of the bank, resulting in avoidable hardship to the pensioners. It is, therefore, advised that banks shall ensure that when a Life Certificate is submitted in any branch, including a non-home branch, of the pension paying bank, the same is updated/ uploaded promptly in CBS by the receiving branch itself, to avoid any delay in credit of pension.

(c) Cheque Book Facility

(i) Banks shall issue cheque books to customers, whenever a request is received, through a requisition slip which is part of the cheque book issued earlier.
(ii) Banks are advised to provide minimum 25 cheque leaves every year, if requested, in savings bank account, free of charge.
(iii) Banks shall not insist on physical presence of any customer including senior citizens and differently abled persons for getting cheque books.
(iv) Banks may also issue cheque books, on requisition, by any other mode as per bank’s laid down policy.

It is further clarified that providing such facility in BSBDA will not render the account to be classified as non-BSBDA (c.f. Bank’s response to query number 14 and 24 of our circular “DBOD.No. Leg. BC.52/09.07.005/2013-14 dated September 11, 2013 on Financial Inclusion – Access to Banking Services – BSBDA – FAQs”).

(d) Automatic conversion of status of accounts

Presently, in some banks, even fully KYC – compliant accounts are not automatically converted into ‘Senior Citizen Accounts’ on the basis of date of birth maintained in the bank’s records. Banks are advised that a fully KYC compliant account should automatically be converted into a ‘Senior Citizen Account’ based on the date of birth available in bank’s records.

(e) Additional Facilities to visually impaired customers

Banks are advised that the facilities provided to sick/old/incapacitated persons vide Paragraph 9 of our Master Circular DBR.No.Leg.BC.21/09.07.006/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 on Customer Service in Banks (regarding operations of accounts through identification of thumb/toe impression/mark by two independent witnesses and authorising a person who would withdraw the amount on behalf of such customers) shall also be extended to the visually impaired customers.

(f) Ease of filing Form 15G/H

Banks are advised to provide senior citizens and differently abled persons Form 15G/H once in a year (preferably in April) to enable them to submit the same, where applicable, within the stipulated time.

(g) Door Step Banking

We have issued instructions on Doorstep Banking vide circular DBOD.No.BL.BC.59/22.01.010/2006-2007 dated February 21, 2007 under Section 23 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949. However, in view of the difficulties faced by senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently abled or infirm persons (having medically certified chronic illness or disability) including those who are visually impaired, banks are advised to make concerted effort to provide basic banking facilities, such as pick up of cash and instruments against receipt, delivery of cash against withdrawal from account, delivery of demand drafts, submission of Know Your Customer (KYC) documents and Life certificate at the premises/ residence of such customers.

3. Banks are advised to implement these instructions by December 31, 2017 in letter and spirit and give due publicity in their bank branches and website.

Yours faithfully
(Saurav Sinha)
Chief General Manager

Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, Reserve Bank of India issued by the Governor on October 4, 2017

8. Banking Facility for Senior Citizens and Differently abled Persons It has been reported that banks are discouraging or turning away senior citizens and differently abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches. Notwithstanding the need to push digital transactions and use of ATMs, it is imperative to be sensitive to the requirements of senior citizens and differently abled persons. It has been decided to instruct banks to put in place explicit mechanisms for meeting the needs of such persons so that they do not feel marginalised. Ombudsmen will also be advised to pay heed to complaints in this context. Necessary instructions in this regard will be issued by end-October 2017

Signed Copy

Lakhs of workers storm Delhi – Confederation

By
igeadmin
-

The thousands of workers who stormed the national capital and assembled at Parliament Street in the national capital Delhi, to participate in the first day of the three days ‘mahapadav’ on 9th November 2017 enthusiastically endorsed the call of the speakers to intensify the struggle against the anti worker, anti people and anti national policies of the BJP led government and prepare for a countrywide indefinite general strike if the government fails to concede their demands.

Workers from all over the country representing many sector – public and private, permanent employees and contract, casual workers, state and central government employees, banks, insurance, telecom, railways, defence, and the various schemes of the government of India participated in the ‘mahapadav’ on the first day.

Ashok Singh (INTUC), Gurudas Dasgupta (AITUC), HS Sidhu (HMS), Tapan Sen (CITU), Satyawan (AIUTUC), G Devarajan (TUCC), Manali (SEWA), Rajiv Dimri (AICCTU), M Shanmugam (LPF) and Ashok Ghosh (UTUC) addressed the gathering in the first session presided over by Sanjay Singh (INTUC), Ramendra Kumar (AITUC), Raja Sridhar (HMS), Hemalata (CITU), RK Sharma (AIUTUC), Naren Chatterjee (TUCC), Sonia (SEWA), Santosh Rai (AICCTU), Subbaraman (LPF) and Shatrujit Singh (UTUC).

Leaders of the federations spoke in the second part of the first session. It was most significant that the leaders of the two major national federations of the railway employees – Shiv Gopal Mishra, general secretary of All India Railwaysmen’s Federation and Raghavaiagh, general secretary of National Federation of Indian Railwaymen – have announced that they would join the indefinite strike whenever the joint trade union platform gave the call. Leaders of several other all Industrial federations including Venkatachalam, general secretary of All India Bank Employees’ Association, Subhash Lamba, additional general secretary of All India State Government Employees’ Association and secretary of Electricity Employees’ Federation of India, KK Divakaran, general secretary of All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation, C Sreekumar, general secretary of All India Defence Employees’ Federation, Jagdeesh Sreemali, VS Dahiya, GR Shiv Shankar, Ravi Sen, Peelimuthu, Kalyan Sengupta, also joined them in endorsing the call addressed the huge gathering and announced they would join the indefinite country wide general strike whenever the joint trade union platform took the decision. Thampan Thomas (HMS), Vijay Pal Singh (AIUTUC), Anil Sharma (TUCC), Sonia (SEWA), Mahendra Parida (AICCTU), Natarajan (LPF) and Thomas Joseph (UTUC) also addressed

H Mahadevan (AITUC), Raghunath Singh (CITU) Shyamlal (AICCTU), Bashir Abud (LPF) replaced their colleagues in the presidium in the second part of the first session. The second session was presided over by Gurnam Singh (INTUC), C Singh (AITUC), SN Pathak (HMS), Anadi Sahu (CITU), Shiv Shankar (UTUC), Lataben (SEWA), Shyamal Prasad (AICCTU), Basheer Ahmed (LPF) and PG Prasanna Kumar (UTUC)

Source : Confederation

House Building Advance (HBA) rules for Central Government Employees

By
igeadmin
-

House Building Advance 2017

The Government has revised the House Building Advance (HBA) rules for Central Government Employees incorporating the accepted recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. Following are the salient features of the new rules:-

1. The total amount of advance that a central government employee can borrow from government has been revised upwards. The employee can up to borrow 34 months of the basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs. 25 lakhs (Rs. Twenty Five Lakhs only), or cost of the house/flat, or the amount according to repaying capacity, whichever is the least for new construction/purchase of new house/flat. Earlier this limit was only Rs.7.50 lakhs.

2. Similarly, the HBA amount for expansion of the house has been revised to a maximum of Rs.10 lakhs or 34 months of basic pay or cost of the expansion of the house or amount according to repaying capacity, whichever is least. This amount was earlier Rs.1.80 lakhs.

3. The cost ceiling limit of the house which an employee can construct/ purchase has been revised to Rs.1.00 crore with a proviso of upward revision of 25% in deserving cases. The earlier cost ceiling limit was Rs.30 lakhs.

4. Both spouses, if they are central government employees, are now eligible to take HBA either jointly, or separately. Earlier only one spouse was eligible for House Building Advance.

5. There is a provision for individuals migrating from home loans taken from Financial Institutions/ Banks to HBA, if they so desire.

6. The provision for availing ‘second charge’ on the house for taking loans to fund balance amount from Banks/ Financial Institutions has been simplified considerably. ‘No Objection Certificate’ will be issued along with sanction order of HBA, on employee’s declaration.

7. Henceforth, the rate of Interest on Housing Building Advance shall be at only one rate of 8.50% at simple interest (in place of the earlier four slabs of bearing interest rates ranging from 6% to 9.50% for different slabs of HBA which ranged from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.7,50,000/-) .

8. This rate of interest shall be reviewed every three years. All cases of subsequent tranches/ installments of HBA being taken by the employee in different financial years shall be governed by the applicable rate of interest in the year in which the HBA was sanctioned, in the event of change in the rate of interest. HBA is admissible to an employee only once in a life time.

9. The clause of adding a higher rate of interest at 2.5% (two point five percent) above the prescribed rate during sanction of House Building Advance stands withdrawn. Earlier the employee was sanctioned an advance at an interest rate of 2.5% above the scheduled rates with the stipulation that if conditions attached to the sanction including those relating to the recovery of amount are fulfilled completely, to the satisfaction of the competent authority, a rebate of interest to the extent of 2.5% was allowed.

10. The methodology of recovery of HBA shall continue as per the existing pattern recovery of principal first in the first fifteen years in 180 monthly instalments and interest thereafter in next five years in 60 monthly instalments.

11. The house/flat constructed/purchased with the help of House Building advance can be insured with the private insurance companies which are approved by Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA).

12. This attractive package is expected to incentivize the government employee to buy house/ flat by taking the revised HBA along with other bank loans, if required. This will give a fillip to the Housing infrastructure sector.

Meeting with BPMS delegation – BPMS letter to Defence Minister

By
igeadmin
-

Meeting with BPMS delegation

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)

REF: BPMS / MOD / Meeting / 173 (8/1/M)

Date: 09.11.2017

To,

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman,
Defence Minister, Government of India,
South Block, New Delhi

Subject – Meeting with BPMS delegation.

Hon?ble Madam,

We are grateful to your good self for granting an opportunity to reflect our concerns/views on the following matters:-

1. On the recommendations of Shekatkar Committee/Committee of Experts, 14 Station Workshops, 04 Ordnance Depots, 43 Military Farms, Army Postal Services are going to be closed down/disbanded. All the Army Base Workshops are going to be run on the „GOCO? model. Implementation of the above will affect the 31012 permanent Civilian employees and more than 01 lakh indirect workers.

Disbandment of above Defence Installation will adversely affect the job opportunities to the communities like Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, Female, Differently Able Persons, Meritorious Sports Persons, reemployment of ex-serviceman, regional development through direct/indirect employment, non-employment issues like school/colleges, market, hospitals etc. in the vicinity of the establishments, monopolistic approach by the private players, public welfare.

In such circumstances, how can the Government fulfill the dreams of Hon?ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas: Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth”?

Considering the impact on the regular employees, casual workers, contract workers and society as a stakeholder due to disbandment of above defence establishments, this federation requests to your good self to reconsider and revoke the decision of disbandment/closure of these Defence Installations.

2. Grant of one time relaxation from the ceiling of 5% limit for compassionate appointment in Defence establishments is pending since long in Min of Defence. You are requested to expedite the same.

3. You are requested to grant a separate meeting for discussion on vital issues of Ordnance Factory Organization (OFB).

Thanking you in anticipation.
Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary BPMS

Source : BPMS

7th CPC : Fixation of Pension of medical officers retired during 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2017

By
igeadmin
-

7th CPC : Fixation of Pension of medical officers retired during 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2017

No.38/37/16-P&PW(A)(iv)
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare .

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi

Dated, the 8th November, 2017

Office Memorandum

Sub:- Implementation of Government’s decision on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission – Fixation of Pension of medical officers retired during 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2017

In accordance with Rule 33 of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 the emoluments reckoned for calculation of pension include Non-practicing Allowance (NPA) granted to medical officers in lieu of private practice.

2. In the case of medical officers who have retired from 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2017, the pension is based on emoluments which included NPA @ 25% of the pre-revised pay. Orders have been issued by Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide OM No.12-2/2016-EIII.A dated 7th July, 2017 for grant of NPA to serving medical officers @ 20% of basic pay w.e.f. 1.7.2017. Accordingly, the medical officers retired/retiring on or after 1.7.2017 are entitled to pension based on emoluments which include NPA at the rate of 20% of the revised basic pay.

3. The matter regarding revision of pension of the medical officers who retired during 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2017 based on revised rate of NPA has been examined by the Government. It has been decided that the pension/family pension in respect of medical officers who retired/died during 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2017 shall be further revised w.e.f. 1.7.2017 by adding NPA @ 20% to the basic pay on the date of retirement.

4. The fixation of pension/family pension of retired medical officers in the above manner will be further subject to the condition that emoluments (i.e. Basic Pay + NPA) to be reckoned for pension do not exceed Rs.2,37,500/- (Rupees two lakh thirty seven thousand and five hundred only).

5. This issues with the approval of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their J.D. No. 1(l8)/E-V/2017 dated 23rd October, 2017.

6. Hindi version will follow.

(Harjit Singh)
Director

Signed Copy

Health and Malaria Allowance – 7th CPC Railway Order

By
igeadmin
-

Implementation of recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission as accepted by the Government Health and Malaria Allowance

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOAR

PC-VII No – 70
RBE No. 153/2017
New Delhi, dated 27.10.2017

No. E(P&A)1-2017/SP-1/Gen1-2

The General Managers and Principal Financial Advisers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units.

Sub: Implementation of recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission as accepted by the Government Health and Malaria Allowance.

*****

Consequent upon the decisions taken by the government on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission relating to revision of allowances, the President is pleased to revise the rates of Health and Malaria Allowance, granted to Health and Malaria Inspectors (Health Inspectors) in Indian Railways. The allowance will be paid as per cell R3H3 of the Risk and Hardship Matrix. The rate of this allowance will be Rs.1000/- per month upto level 8 in Pay Matrix (VII CPC) and Rs.1200/-per month for level 9 and above in Pay Matrix(VII CPC).

2. The rate of this allowance will further increase by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.

3. The revised rates of allowance shall be admissible with effect from 1st July, 2017.

4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

5. Please acknowledge receipt.

(Anil Kumar)
Dy. Director/E(P&A)-I
Railway Board.

No. E(P&A)1-2017/SP-1/Gen1-2

Source : NFIR

Signed Copy

Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses – Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent

By
igeadmin
-

No.19011/01/2015-Fin.II(Pt.)
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated November 03, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses – Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent- reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to GoI 14 below SR 48-B wherein provision has been made that in all cases of air travel, where Govt. of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials have to travel, only by Air India. Further, GoI 16 below the rule stipulates for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (Booking Counter or website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorised agents viz. M/s. Balmer Lawrie & Co., M/s Ashoka Travels & Tours and IRCTC. Department of Expenditure, M/o. Finance time and again also stressed the need of travel only by Air India and purchase of air tickets from permissible source. Recent in this row is their OM No. 19024/22/2017 E-IV dated 18th July, 2017 (copy enclosed for ready reference).

2.Despite this MHA is frequently in receipt of proposals for relaxation of above rules citing reason of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines. Department of Expenditure has clarified to MHA that henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of the guidelines would not be considered by them in future.

3.It is, accordingly, stressed upon all the offices/Division under the ambit of Integrated Finance Division of MHA to scrupulously follow the guidelines relating to air travel.

S/d,
(Kumar Manoj Kashyap)
Under Secretary & AFA (Fin-II)
Tel. 23093245

No. 19024/22/2017-EN
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
***

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th July, 2017

Office Memorandum

Subject :– Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours — Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments’ Q.M. No. 19024/1/2005-E.IV dated 24.03.2006, Q.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.ly dated 16.09.2010 and D.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E.IV dated 09.07.2013 regarding guidelines on Air travel. As per these guidelines, in all cases of Air Travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/Website of Airlines) and if needed, by utilizing the services of three Authorized Travel Agents viz, M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC).

2. This Department is receiving a large number of proposals from various Ministries/Departments seeking ex- post-facto relaxation of the prescribed procedure for purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents only.

3. The matter has been reconsidered in this Department. All Ministries/Departments are again directed to:

(i) Ensure strict compliance of extant guidelines for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/Website of Airlines) or from three authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC only by all officials/offices under their control. Henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines will not be considered by this Department.

ii) In case of non-availability of authorized agent at a particular place, ticket may be booked from website of Airlines or web portal of Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd., M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC.

iii) In respect of Non-officials of Committees/Boards/Panels, the concerned Ministry/Department have to mention in the meeting notice that the Non-official Member has to purchase the ticket from authorized travel agent only otherwise his claim will not be settled by that Ministry/Department.

iv) All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, etc. have to widely circulate this O.M. in all offices including attached/subordinate offices/ autonomous bodies under their control with specific instructions to Heads of Departments concerned for strict compliance of these guidelines. Non-compliance of these guidelines by Ministries/Departments will be treated as lapse on the part of the concerned Ministry/Department.

(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Signed Copy

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