Air Travel: RBE No.201/2017 – On Official Tours
No.F(E)I/2016/AL-28/25, dated 22.12.2017
Sub: Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours.
Ref: Board’s letters of even number dated 16.05.2016 (RBE No.49/2016), 17.10.2016 (RBE No.122/2016), 22.08.2017 (RBE No.100/2017) & 21.09.2017 (RBE No.136/2017).
1. In accordance with the instructions contained in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s O.M. Nos. 19024/1/2009-E-IV, dated 13.07.2009, 16.09.2010 & 28.07.2011 on the subject, as communicated by Ministry of Civil Aviation, certain guidelines (along with the proforma seeking relaxation, as tssued by MoF) were circulated vide Board’s letter of even number dated 16.05.2016 (RBE No.49/2016), regarding grant of permisson to travel by airlines other than Air India for official air travel (both domestic and international) by railway officers. The guidelines, with the advice to furnish some additional particulars were reiterated and re-circulated for strict compliance vide Board’s letters of even number dated 17.10.2016 (RBE No.122/2016) & 22.08.2017 (RBE No.100/2017). Further, MoF’s guidelines contained in their OM No.19024/22/2017-E.IV, dt. 19.07.2017 regarding procedure of purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents etc. were also circulated on Indian Railway’s vide Board’s letter of even number dated 21.09.2017 (RBE No.136/2017).
2. However, it has been observed in some of the cases that;
(i) the requests seeking relaxation/ permission to travel by airlines other than Air India are not being sent in the prescribed proforma circulated by Ministry of Finance and are not accompanied by requsite documents like approved tour program and undertaking.
(ii) the proforma for exemption to travel by flight other than Air India is not signed by the officer travelling, and is in some instances signed by Protocol Officer etc.
(iii) the requests seeking reimbursement of air journey performed in special circumstances are being received without complete particulars and requisite documents like approved tour program and undertaking etc. Also, in some cases the air tickets for which reimbursement is sought have been purchased from travel agents other than the travel agents authorized under MoF guidelines.
(iv) the above mentioned guidelines are not being observed by the Authority while approving the tour program and while referring cases to Board for approval.
3. It is therefore advised that:
(i) the requests seeking relaxation/ permission/ reimbursement of air Journey should be sent to Board in the prescribed proforma, duly signed by the officer travelling & HOD etc. with all requisite documents like approved tour program and undertaking, as prescribed.
(ii) the Authority approving the tour programme which includes journey by private airlines should ensure that guidelines of Ministry of Finance circulated vide Board’s above referred letters are invariably being followed & complied with.
(iii) while referring cases to Board for sanctlon for reimbursement of air tickets, it may be ensured that the tickets have been purchased from authorized travel agents only as per MoF’s instructions.
4. Strict compliance of the letter may be ensured.
5. Please acknowledge receipt.
Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.201/2017
Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.