FinMin wants authorised agencies to offer best airfare for Govt employees

New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) Finance Ministry has asked administrative ministries of IRCTC, Balmer Lawrie and Ashok Travels & Tours to ensure that the three authorised agencies provide the option to buy tickets directly through an application on their website for central government staff posted in areas where they don’t have their agents.
The Ministry noted that choice of the travel agent for booking of ticket by the individual Ministry/Department will depend on the quality of service provided, additional facilities viz. excess baggage, cancellation and rescheduling facility.
“The Administrative Ministries of the three authorized agents may ensure that all the three agencies apart from providing facilities through dedicated staff, also provide option for booking tickets directly through a application as a functionality on their website, specifically for Central Govt. employees posted in areas in the country where the services of authorized travel agents may not be easily available,” it said.
In view of Air India privatisation, government has authorised three agencies for booking air tickets for official travel.
The travel agents are expected to provide to the government employees the ‘Best available fare’ on the date of booking on the basis of tour programme as per their entitlement.
The Finance Ministry has stated that all mileage points earned by Government employees on tickets purchased for official travel shall continue to be utilized by the concerned Department for other official travel by their officers.
“Any usage of these mileage points for purpose of private travel by an officer will attract Departmental action. This is to ensure that the benefits out of official travel which is funded by the Government should accrue to the Government. The travel agents shall inform about accrued mileage points to the Ministry/Department on quarterly basis,” Finance Ministry said in a memo on Friday.