Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- Clarification

DOPT vide OM. No. 31011/5/2014-Estt (A.IV) dated September 23, 2015 directed to refer its earlier O.M. No. 31011/4/2014-Estt.(A-IV) dated 19th June, 2014 which lays down that the Government employees are required to book the air tickets directly from 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' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s). Vide DoPT's O.M. 31011/5/2014-Estt.(AIV) dated 24.09.2014, the web-portal of these authorized travel agents will also be treated as an acceptable mode for purchase of air tickets on LTC subject to the conditions stated vide Department of Expenditure's O.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E-IV dated 5thSeptember, 2014.

It further stated that various Ministries/Departments continue to send references to DoPT seeking relaxation regarding the booking of air tickets for the purpose of LTC from the travel agents not authorised by the aforesaid O.M.. In most of the cases, the common reason stated by the LTC beneficiaries is that they were not aware of the guidelines and inadvertently booked the tickets from other travel agents. 

Therefore, they advised to ensure a wide circulation of the guidelines as stated in para 1 of this O.M.. It was also advised that 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.