“The Ministry also said that workers should reserve just one ticket for each leg of anticipated trip, make reservations even if the tour itinerary is still being approved, and prevent “unnecessary cancellations.””
According to the Finance Ministry, all government workers have been instructed to buy flight tickets at least three weeks in advance of the date of travel for tours and leave-of-absence (LTC) to avoid wasting money.
Employees should reserve just one ticket for each leg of the trip, even if the tour itinerary has not yet been approved, to prevent “unnecessary cancellations,” according to the Ministry.
Currently, only three authorised travel agencies — Balmer Lawrie & Co., Ashok Travel & Tours., and IRCTC. — are allowed to sell airline tickets to government personnel.
The self-declared reason is required for any booking made within 72 hours of anticipated travel on tour or any cancellation made within 24 hours of intended travel, according to revised rules about reserving flight tickets on a government account.
A document from the Department of Expenditure instructs employees to choose flights with the “Best Available Fare on their entitled travel class, which is the Cheapest Fare available, ideally for a non-stop trip in a particular time window at the time of booking,” according to the memo.
Tickets for a single trip should be purchased via one travel agency only, and no fees or charges should be paid to these booking agencies, according to the instructions.
By booking flights at least 21 days in advance, employees can take advantage of the most attractive pricing and minimise their tax burden.
Employees were also encouraged to buy tickets digitally utilising the self-booking tool/online booking website/portal of the three licenced travel agencies in the revised directive.
“A single ticket should be purchased for each leg of travel by employees. For security reasons, it is not permitted to have several tickets. A maximum of two tickets for alternate flights with different time slots may be bought on the same leg of the trip with the self-declared rationale for the same, provided there are specific exigencies or unusual circumstances “instructions were followed.
Only an official with the level of Joint Secretary or above may offer a waiver in the case of unavoidable ticket purchase via an unlicensed travel agency or website.
The Expenditure Department also requested that all ministries and departments pay their travel agency debts within 30 days of the trip’s completion, while officials must present a certificate or undertaking verifying their travel within 72 hours of the trip’s conclusion.
There will be no mileage points accrued for travel on government accounts until all past outstanding debts to travel brokers are paid by August 31, 2022, according to the directive.
The Ministry of Finance is searching for ways to reduce wasteful spending due to the already high costs of reducing excise duties on gasoline and diesel, reducing customs duties on some goods, increasing fertiliser subsidies, and providing free food to the needy.
