Monday, June 30, 2014

Submission of Memorandum of IP/ASP Association to 7 CPC

It is to inform that memorandum to be submitted to 7CPC is finalized and now ready for submission. The copy of same will be published on blog soon. 

National JCM demanded hefty hike in pay for central employees

To view details, please CLICK HERE. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers on CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION (CSE)

To view, please CLICK HERE. 

99 things that make people happier

To view the list of ideas for finding or maintaining happiness, please CLICK HERE.  

PA / SA Examination 2014 : Result

To view the result, please CLICK HERE. 

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Sri S. Samuel Ex-GS retiring on 30/6/2014

Our senior colleague and Ex-General Secretary Sri S. Samuel is going to retire from Govt. service on superannuation on 30/6/2014. He hold the post of General Secretary from 2005 to 2010. During the two terms he did his best to discharge the duties cast upon him without fear of reprisal. During his tenure following specific achievements were taken place (i) Conferment of gazetted status to the post of ASP, (ii) Free supply of newspaper at the residence of ASP (iii) Reimbursement of mobile phone recharge coupon/residential telephone bill (iv) Allotment of willing surplus qualified Inspector Posts candidates to other Circles, (v) Re-allotment of women Inspector Posts to respective home Circle under spouse category without waiting to complete mandatory waiting period etc. (vi) Supply of Laptop to all Sub Divisions. For his grand and successful service to this Association, we have to salute him. His mobile No. is 09444144764

This Association wishes Sri Samuel Sir, a happy, healthy and peaceful retirement life. 

Schedule of PA / SA Examination 2014

The following is the schedule for paper-II (computer skill test) 

Harayana : 12, 13 and 14 July 2014 from 09.00 AM in 2 hours batches 

Kerala : 12, 13 and 14 July 2014 from 09.00 AM in 2 hours batches

Karnataka : 15 to 19 July 2014 from 09.00 AM in 2 hours batches

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Reminder to Directorate i/c/w consideration of Rule 38 transfer cases of IPs

No. GS/AIAIASP/Rule-38/TFR-IP/2014                               dated  :     28/6/2014.

To,
Shri V. P. Singh,  
Dy. Director General (P),
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.

Subject :    Inter-Circle transfer of Inspector Posts under Rule 38 of P&T Manual Vol. IV----Surplus Qualified Inspector Posts.

Ref.       :     Dte No. 141-177/2009-SPB-II dated 14th December 2010 and
                   137-89/2013-SPB-II dated 11th October 2013.

Respected Sir,

                   IP/ASP Association would like to invite your kind attention to its letter of even number dated 20/1/2014 followed by subsequent reminders dated 8/3/2014 and 24/3/2014 on the above captioned subject.

As you aware that above referred issue was discussed at length in the informal meeting held with the then Secretary (Posts) on 24/9/2013 and it was replied by Directorate under letter No. 137-89/2013-SPB-II dated 11th October 2013 (copy enclosed) that “Guidelines are already laid down vide Directorate letter No. 141-177/2009-SPB.II dated 14.12.2010 regulating the requests received from male Inspector of Posts and request of lady Inspector of Post, for inter-Circle transfer under Rule 38 of Postal Volume IV. If there is any specific issue, the same may be furnished for consideration”.  As the issue was not fully resolved, therefore it was again discussed with the then Member (P) on 27/11/2013 in presence of yourself and Director (Staff) and during the course of discussion it was assured that all surplus qualified IPs seeking transfer to their parent Circles will be adjusted at one time measure against the possible vacancies, but unfortunately till this date no action is taken by Directorate.  

It is to add here that as per the discussions had in the meetings; this Association has already forwarded the list of surplus qualified IPs seeking transfer under Rule 38 to their home circle to Directorate on 8/3/2014.
It is therefore seriously requested to your honour to kindly look in to the matter personally and arrange to issue instructions to concerned CPMsG to consider transfer cases of surplus qualified IPs under Rule 38 of P&T Manual Vol. IV to their parent circle immediately against the available vacancies. All the IPs has already completed their probation period etc. successfully.
          With regards,   
Yours Sincerely,

Sd/- 
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary

Copy forwarded for necessary action to :

Ms Alka Tewari, ADG (SPN), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 11001 w. r. to her letter No. 137-89/2013-SPB-II dated 11th October 2013.

CBS : Chikodi HO (Karnataka) rolled out on 23/6/2014

Shri. G S Hungund, SPOs Chikodi inaugurated the CBS GO LIVE. Shri. M V Patil ASP, Shri. M A Patil, Postmaster and all staff of Chikodi HO/DO were present

CBS : Amravati HO (Nagpur Region) rolled out on 23/6/2014

Shri Q. O. Baig SSPOs inaugurated CBS GO LIVE. Shri P.  A. Gedam ASP and Shri Jayant S. Dawoo ASP are seen in picture

MODEL CONSTITUTION FOR THE RESIDENTS WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING-REGARDING

To the copy of memo, please CLICK HERE

Supplementary DPC : PS Gr. B ..... updates!!!

Dak Bhawan New Delhi
As on date only 11 circles have responded to Directorate's letter No. 9-33/2013-SPG dated 10/6/2014. The target date (20/6/2014) fixed by Directorate was already over. Due to non receipt of requisite information from Circles, there may be further delay in holding of supplementary DPC for the promotion to the post of PS Gr. B for the vacancies of the year 2013-14 and issue of repatriation order. 

Sri Veeraraghavulu (AP Circle) promoted vide Directorate memo No. 9-33/2013-SPG dated 10.10.2013 to PS Gr. B cadre and allotted to Maharashtra Circle have said to be declined the promotion, but his declination letter not received at Directorate. 

CHQ has already directed all Circle Secretaries and CHQ Officer Bearers to ensure the submission of requisite information by their circle. 

Automated Mail Processing Centre - AMPC, New Delhi

CLICK HERE or on the above subject to see the film showing operational narration of AMPC New Delhi

Friday, June 27, 2014

LDCE : PS Gr. B for the year 2013 & 2014 ..... updates!!!

It is learnt that there is no progress in respect of issue of notification to conduct LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013 and also for 2014. 
But there will be two separate examinations after all hurdles are crossed. 

Postal Life Insurance to Sell Policies Online


 
Postal Services Board member (PLI) Anjali Devasher presenting postal life insurance award to Maj. R Subramani in Hyderabad on Thursday. Chief postmaster-general BV Sudhakar in the middle. | A SURESH KUMAR
 
HYDERABAD: Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance(RPLI) will soon allow its users to purchase and view policies status online and even pay the premium.
 
Completing 130 years, Postal Life Insurance, the oldest Life Insurance scheme in the country, is all set to roll out Core Insurance Solutions (CIS) across all its 812 head post offices/CPCs and sub post offices as its second phase of technology upgradation, said Faiz-ur-Rahman, chief general manager, PLI. The CIS is set to be fully operational in the next six months and has been operating in over 100 head post offices across the country as a pilot project.
 
During an interaction in the backdrop of an award ceremony to felicitate the outstanding business performers in PLI and RPLI, the CGM said that they have set a target premium of `9,500 crore to be raised in 2014-15. It had raised `7,500 crore in 2013-14 and `5,200 crore in 2012-13. ‘’We are unique in the sense that we assure highest return from our products. When no other company has declared any bonus, we have and we can,’’ he said. Speaking about the scenario in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, BV Sudhakar, chief post master general, AP circle, stated that the circle has set a target Rs 700 crore premium to be raised in 2014-15.
 
‘’PLI for us means prosperity, longevity and integrity. When the industry is growing at about 16 per cent, we in AP circle are growing at 25 to 30 percent,” he said. 
 
Further, explaining how PLI is able to offer highest returns with lowest premiums, he said that since the sale, service and redressal of complaints are all done through the network of department of posts, the operation costs remain very low compared to other insurance providers, and the surplus thus generated is passed on to insurants in the form of higher bonus. 
At present, the number of live policies in PLI and Rural PLI is almost 28 million. The corpus size is nearly `50,000 crore and the total sum assured for all policies put together come to `1.99 lakh crore, he said.
 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Health benefit of Banana

Rich in nutrients including vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals like potassium, zinc, iron, etc, banana is a strong source of energy. Here are some other health benefits of this versatile fruit.


Controls blood pressure: According to research, the potassium in this fruit keeps the blood pressure levels in check and it can also help decrease its levels.

Improves brain power: A good source of vitamin B, banana helps perk up nerve function and boosts learning abilities.

Decreases the risk of stroke: According to studies, regular consumption of a banana helps reduce the occurrence of stroke. Rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, consumption of bananas is also said to reduce the risk of cancer.

Maintains bones: Probiotic bacteria present in bananas is known to absorb calcium in the body. Hence, it helps in building better bones.

Enhances digestion: The priobotics in banana help produce enzymes that enable absorption of nutrients, thus enhancing the digestive ability and preventing unfriendly bacteria from harming the body. Astringent in nature, raw bananas are effective in treatment for diarrhoea.

Relieves constipation: Pectin found in bananas helps to alleviate constipation and improves bowel function.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Improvement in Pension disbursing System- Issues with State Bank of India Bank regarding

To view Department of Pension and Pensioner's Welfare memo dated 18/6/2014, please CLICK HERE. 

Chief Ministers & Governors of Indian States ( as on June 2014 )

To view the list, please CLICK HERE.

Payment banks cannot launch other financial operations

To read the news published in Business Standard dated 23/6/2014, please CLICK HERE. 

Training Calendar for the II Quarter 2014-15 - PTC, Mysore

To view Director, PTC Mysore memo dated 13/6/2014, please CLICK HERE. 

CPMG Jharkhand Circle is holding additional charge of CPMG Bihar Circle.

To view Directorate's memo, please CLICK HERE.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Letter to Secretary (Posts) i/c/w issue of revised RRs of PS Gr.B cadre and reduce share of General Line officials from 6% to 3%.

No. CHQ/IPASP/CRC/2012                                      Dated :     23/6/2014.

To,                                                                                          
Ms Kavery Banerjee, 
Secretary (Posts)
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001. 

Subject : Issue of revised Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B Cadre and reduce share of General Line officials from 6% to 3%…reg

Respected Madam,   
            
Kindly refer to this Association’s letter of even number dated 15/7/2013, 19/11/2013, 6/1/2014, 17/4/2014 and 16/5/2014 regarding finalization of Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B cadre and reduction the share of General Line officials from 6% to 3% in LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B. But till date nothing is heard from Directorate.

This Association indeed to bring to your kind notice that, PS Gr. B Recruitment Rules are not revised since years together and as per the clause 3.1.5 of Department of Personnel and Training OM No. AB-14017/48/2010-Estt (RR) dated 31st December 2010 “The Recruitment Rules should be reviewed once in 5 years with a view to effecting such changes as are necessary to bring them in conformity with the changed position, including additions to or reduction in the strength of the lower and higher level posts”. This Association has already submitted the detailed proposal under letter dated 4/7/2011 regarding distribution of quota for PS Gr. B Examination and Sr. Postmaster Examination. Due to non-settlement of these issues, Department has not conducted the LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013 and as well for the year 2014. Sr. Postmaster’s Examination also not held from 2010 onwards.

In view of the above, it is requested to kindly finalize the RRs of PS Gr. B cadre and reduce the share of General Line officials in LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B at the earliest and also communicate the vacancy position well in advance to DE Division to hold the examination separately for the year 2013 and 2014.                                                                                               
                                                                                   Yours sincerely,

sd/- 
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary

Copy forwarded for necessary action to :

The Director (R & P), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001. He is requested to refer SR Division letter No. 09-01/2014-SR dated 11th January 2014. LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013 and 2014 may be conducted separately only after revision of Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B cadre and reduction of share of General Line officials from 6% to 3%.
 sd/-
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary
This letter sent under SPA EM046370648IN

Railways’ Clarification on Revision of Passenger Fare & Freight Rate


In connection with the Revision of Passenger Fare and Freight Rates, the Ministry of Railways would like to clarify the following: 

The Order of Fare and Freight revision issued by the Ministry of Railways today, as finalised by the previous Government, is only 10 % hike in Passenger Fare and 5 % hike in Freight Rates. 

The figure of 14.2 % hike in Passenger Fare and 6.5 % hike in Freight Rates is inclusive of the Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) (4.2 % for Passenger Fare and 1.5 % Approx. for Freight Rates) which is done once in six months routinely, depending upon the fluctuations in Oil Prices similar to retail prices of Diesel and Petrol at Petrol Bunks. The additional burden due to oil Prices fluctuation, will get reviewed if the price of Oil decreases. It is pertinent to note that the Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision has already been implemented twice earlier by the previous government and was last done in October 2013.


Letter to Secretary (Posts) i/c/w grant of honorarium to part time IO/PO for conducting inquires under Rule-10 of GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2011

No. GS/AIAIASP/GDS-Hon/2013                                      dated :    21/6/2014

To,
Ms Kavery Banerjee,
Secretary (Posts),
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.

Sub:  Grant of honorarium to part time Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers for conducting inquiries under Rule-10 of GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2011 and revision of financial powers delegated to CPMG for sanction of the Honorarium.

Ref:   Directorate memo No C-32016/03/2005-VP dated 23.08.2005.

Respected Madam,
  
          We would like to invite your kind attention to this Association’s letter of even number dated 22/6/2013 followed by reminders dated 13/9/2013 and 11/11/2013, 1/2/2014 and 25/4/2014 whereby it was brought to the notice that, Directorate vide memo No 32016/12/2011-VP dated 04.07.2011 on the basis of notification issued by DOP&T has revised honorarium rates for Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers engaged for conducting departmental enquiries which was further revised on 8.1.2013. Under the existing structure, minimum Rs 5000/- and Maximum 10000/- are required to be sanctioned as honorarium if the enquiry is completed within stipulated time frame. But no such revision whatsoever has been made for IO/PO for conducting GDS inquiries, perhaps this was not part of DOP&T memo as no such cadre exists in any other department except DOP.

          Although the responsibilities of IO/PO are predefined and similar in nature both for Departmental and GDS employees, yet the honorarium rate is not in parity as is apparent from the below noted table, that also needs upward revision at par with departmental inquiries.  

Details

GDS inquiries
Departmental inquiries
w.e.f.23.08.2005
w.e.f. 04.07.2011
w.e.f. 31.07.2012
Inquiry Officer (IO) Part time
Minimum Rs    400/-
Maximum Rs 1600/-
Minimum Rs  1500/-
Maximum Rs 3000/-
Minimum Rs    5000/-
Maximum Rs 10000/-
Presenting Officer (PO) Part time
Minimum Rs    250/-
Maximum Rs   500/-
Minimum Rs    750/-
Maximum Rs 1500/-
Minimum Rs    5000/-
Maximum Rs 10000/-
         
          Furthermore, the annual ceiling of Rs 4000/- per IO/PO per year bestowed to the Head of the Circle since long is still in vogue and no action to revise this limit has been taken concomitantly leaving aside benefit granted above. However, Secretary (Posts) has the power to sanction honorarium up to Rs 5000/-, means all the cases will have to be referred to Directorate for sanction. In such cases, either the beneficiary will be deprived of his/her right or will have to wait for long to get the desired relief.

          It is further bring to your kind notice that the minimum rate of honorarium have already been revised for departmental inquiries and the FR 46 B also stood amended (vide MOF, DOE I.CU.O.No.4.2/5/2008-IC dated 29.01.2009). The issue in question was discussed at length with your predecessor and OSD to Secretary (Posts) in the informal meeting held on 23/9/2013. During the course of dialogue, both the officers apprehending the position, assured that Department will re-look into the matter and shall accordingly convey the approval, but till date nothing is heard from Directorate despite issue of series of reminders.

          It is therefore once again requested to put on place orders to resolve this vital issue at the earliest.   

Yours sincerely, 

Sd/- 
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to :


The OSD to Secretary (Posts), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001.

Letter to Secretary (Posts) i/c/w to resolve pending issue of AMM cadre

No. GS/IPASP/AMM/2012                                                            dated  21/6/2014.
 

To,
Ms Kavery Banerjee,
Secretary (Posts), 
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.
 
Sub :          Recruitment Rules for the post of Assistant Manager in MMS—reg.

Ref. :          Dte file No. 905/SR/12 dated 13/9/2012

Respected Madam,

          IP/ASP Association vide its letters of even number No. dated 22/3/2012, and followed by reminders dated 21/8/2012, 29th October, 2012, 15/4/2013 and 27/6/2013 requested Department to finalize the Recruitment Rules of the Assistant Manager MMS and to conduct LDCE to fill up the vacant posts of the said cadre.

          This Association would like to bring to your kind notice that the post of Inspector MMS and Assistant Manager MMS were already merged with nomenclature as ‘Assistant Manager MMS’ but fresh recruitment rules for the post of Assistant Manager have not been framed by the Department despite above referred reminders from this Association. There are 41 sanctioned posts of Assistant Manager MMS in the country and out of these, 50% posts are said to be vacant and due to non-framing of recruitment rules, department has not conducted the examination for the vacant posts of Assistant Managers since last several years.  Besides this, 3 posts of Sr. Managers and 5 posts of Managers are also vacant in MMS since years together. Secondly, Assistant Manager MMS is circle cadre and not a single circle has issued/updated seniority list (gradation list) of this cadre since more than decade.

          This Association was informed by Directorate vide letter No. 905/SR/12 dated 13/09/2012 that the said request letter was transferred to Director (Estt.) for appropriate action,  but till date neither fresh recruitment rules have been framed by the Department nor examination for filling up vacant posts of Assistant Managers in MMS has announced.

          It is therefore fervently requested to look into these long pending issues and put on place orders for early finalization of the Recruitment Rules of the Assistant Manager MMS along with conducting of LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of AMM in this year itself.

          With profound regards,

Yours sincerely,
Sd-
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Transfers/Postings in the junior Administrative Grade (JAG) of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'

To view Directorate memo No. 2-2/2014-SPG dated 19th June 2014, please CLICK HERE.
 

Addendum for I P Examination for 2014

To view Directorate Memo No. A.34012/04/2014-DE dated 5th June 2014, please CLICK HERE.
 

LGO Examination held on 15.09.2013 - Key Answers

To view, please CLICK HERE.

 

Friday, June 20, 2014

Secretary (Posts) addressed HOCs for effective services!

To view the copy of DO letter, please CLICK HERE.

Revision of Passenger Fare & Freight Rate will Come into Effect from 25.6.2014

The Railway passenger fare and freight rate revision was done as part of interim budget presented by the previous government. But the implementation of revised rates was withdrawn by previous regime because of the elections. Meeting the annual expenditure would not be possible unless the revised rates as finalized by previous government is implemented, hence order of withdrawing implementation of revised fare and freight has been withdrawn. Accordingly, the revised passenger fare and freight rates & freight structure rationalization will come into effect from 25th June 2014 (i.e. w.e.f. 0000 hours of 25th June 2014).

In nutshell, following are the changes to be effective from 25th June 2014 (i.e. w.e.f. 0000 hours of 25th June 2014).

FREIGHT :
·      A flat 5% increase in freight rates and an additional increase of 1.4% on account of FAC (Fuel adjustment Component) which was due since April 2014. The overall increase in freight rates will be 6.5% approx .for major commodities. 
·     Withdrawal of short lead concession in charging of freight for all traffic booked upto 100 kms. Minimum distance for charge has been increased from existing 100 kms to 125 kms.
·    The number of Low Rated Classes have been reduced from 4 to 3. Certain concessions in case of some of these commodities has also been withdrawn.

PASSENGER :

·   A flat 10% increase in all classes. There will be no increase upto minimum distance for charge. In addition there will be an increase of 4.2% in fares on account of FAC which is due from April 2014.
·     Second Class Monthly Season Ticket (MST) fares of Suburban and Non-suburban shall be charged on the basis of 30 single journeys instead of approximately 15 single journeys.  Fares of First Class Monthly Season Tickets will be charged @ 4 times the Second Class Monthly Season Tickets (MST) Fares as is done presently.  Revised fare shall also be applicable as per the existing method of computation on Quarterly Season Tickets (QST), Half Yearly Season Tickets (HST) and Yearly Season Tickets (YST), etc.  these revisions have been shown in the Season Ticket Fare Tables.

Other Charges: 
·  
    There shall be no change in charges for reservation fee, superfast surcharge etc.  Such charges, wherever applicable, shall continue to be levied additionally as per existing instructions.

·  Service tax will continue to be levied as applicable as per instructions issued in this regard.

·   The revised fares will also apply to tickets issued in advance for journeys to commence on or after 25.06.2014.

·    In the case of tickets already issued at pre-revised rates, the difference in fares and other charges on or after 25.06.2014 will be recovered either by TTEs on the trains or by the Booking/Reservation Offices before the commencement of journey by passengers.

Source : PIB

e-IPO for seeking information under RTI

ALLAHABAD: To make filing of application for seeking information under the Right To Information Act-2005 hassle free and easier, the department of posts has launched an electronic Indian Postal Order (e-IPO). The scheme will facilitate citizens pay online fee for filing of application to seek information from various government departments. Earlier the department had launched the e-IPO facility for Indian citizens working across the globe. Providing information about this Director Postal Services, Allahabad region, Krishna Kumar Yadav said, "E-IPO is a facility to purchase an Indian postal order electronically for paying RTI fee on-line." He further said, after paying the fee on-line one just need to annex the print-out of the receipt to the RTI application. The service has been launched by the department in cooperation with National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). He added, under this service, the applicant needs to register at e-Post Office portal of India Post www.epostoffice.gov.in or through India Post web site www.indiapost.gov.in to create profile for first time. Both debit and credit cards of any banks can be accepted for the fee.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Supplementary DPC for promotion to the post of Postal Service Group B cadre for the vacancies of the year 2013-14.....updates!!!

Today, Directorate has issued reminder to all Circles to expedite inputs / required documents called for vide letter No. 9-33/2013-SPF dated 10.6.2014 to convene supplementary DPC. It is stated in the said letter that attested zerox copies of ACRs/APARs of five years prior to 1.4.2012 of the officers mentioned in the Annexure and a certificate regarding communication of below bench mark grading and adverse entries and representations if any disposed off is also required. 

All Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers are once again requested to ensure the submission of requisite information by their circle and also inform to GS.

Clarification regarding purchase of Air Tickets from Authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC - DoPT Orders June 2014

F.No. 31011/4/2014-Estt (A.IV) 
Government of India 
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 
Department of Personnel and Training 
North Block, New Delhi-110 001 
Dated: 19th June, 2014 
OFFICE MEMORANDUM 
Subject: - Clarification regarding purchase of Air Tickets from Authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC. 

The undersigned is directed to refer to the instructions issued from time to time on the above noted subject and say that the Government employees are required to book their 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 & Tour' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No.31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s). 

2. In a number of cases, it has been noticed that the aforesaid instructions are not being followed and as a result various Ministries/Departments continue to make references to DoPT seeking relaxation of the conditions for one reason or the other. The most common reasons given by the employees are unawareness of the rules and non-availability of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Ashok Travels, M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company at places where the tickets have been booked from. Even in such cases, the option of booking directly from the airlines through their website is available. In no case is the booking of tickets through any other agency is permissible. 

3. All the Ministries/Departments of Government of India are advised to ensure that their employees are made aware of the above mentioned guidelines to avoid breach of any of the LTC rules. 

4. This issues with the approval of Joint Secretary(E).
sd/- 
(B.Bandyopadhyay) 
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Source : www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_4_2014-Estt-A.IV.pdf]