RBE No. 50/2020: Air Travel – Use of e-Office
No.F(E)I/2020/AL-28/13, dated 08.07.2020
Sub: Guidelines for air travel on Official Tours; sending requests though e-mail only.
1. In accordance with the instructions contained in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s OM Nos.19024/1/2009-E-IV, dated 13.07.2019, 16.09.2010 & 28.07.2011 on the subject, as communicated by Ministry of Civil Aviation, certain guidelines (along with the proforma for seeking relaxation to travel by airlines other than Air India, as issued by MoF) were circulated vide Board’s letter No.F(E)I/2016/AL-28/25, dated 16.05.2016 (RBE No. 49/2016) regarding grant of permission to travel by Airlines other than Air India for official air travel (both domestic and international) by Railway officers. The guidelines were reiterated/ re-circulated and updated from time to time on the receipt of further instructions from MoF.
2. At present, the request of Railway officers for air travel including those seeking relaxation to travel by airlines other than Air India are being received in Board’s Office for approval either by post or by fax, both are paper consuming media. More so, request by post are more often received after the schedule date of journey, while these should reach at least 07 working days in advance from the date of journey.
3. For some time past, emphasis is being given on paper-less office. Recently, the use of e-office has been made compulsory in Board’s Office and all files are to be put up electronically through e-office portal. Also, in present situation of COVID-19 pandemic, handling of papers/ physical file are not advisable.
4. Recently economy, austerity and cost control measures have been circulated to all Indian Railways through Board (FC)’s D.O. letter No.2015-b-235, dated 19.06.2020. Para-I.(f) & V.(j) of Enclosure to this latter inter alia provides for reduction in instances of TA by 50% and curtailment of travel expenditure. While Para-V.(b) inter alia provides that for correspondences source e-mail should be used.
5. In view of the above, all Indian Railways/ PUs are advised that:-
(i) travel by air should be avoided as far as possible, guidelines issued by Board’s office in this regard from time to time should be strictly adhered to.
(ii) all the requests for air travel including those seeking relaxation/ permission to travel by other than Air India flight must be submitted to Railway Board at least 07 working days in advance from the schedule date of travel, in duly filled proforma prescribed by MoF, along with all necessary documents e.g. tour programme duly approved by competent authority, papers indicating the non-availability of AI flight etc. through e-mail only (preferably by NIC mail).
6. The email ID for the purpose is airtravel.fel@rb.railnet.gov.in The request may be mailed under the subject line “air travel Request.”
7. This issues with the approval of Board (FC).
8. Strict compliance of the letter may be ensured.
9. Please acknowledge receipt.
Download Railway Board Circular RBE No. 50/2020
Forward reference ⇒ dated 16.12.2020,