Following a review of its expenditure management in the face of the economy showing distinct signs of improvement, the government decided to lift the self-imposed ban on first class air travel for on-duty officials.
“The matter has been reviewed and it has been decided that with effect from April 1, 2010, travel on government account by air, both domestic and international, may take place by the entitled class,” the Finance Ministry said in a circular issued to all government departments.
Senior bureaucrats, who were directed to fly economy class after a raft of austerity measures aimed at cutting wasteful government expenditure was imposed, can now heave a sigh of relief. The basis of the austerity drive was to divert a major chunk of the resources towards various stimulus measures to boost the economy which was reeling under the impact of the global slowdown. The government’s objective to cut its bloated expendture bill was also aimed at showing solidarity with the people reeling under the impact of dought and floods that hit several parts of the country last year.
As part of the austerity measures the government had directed its employees not to fly first class on official account, irrespective of their entitlement, and travel economy class for all domestic assignments.
Though the government lifted curb on air travel by its employees on official duty it has not relaxed the austerity directive in case of Leave Travel Concession (LTC). “Austerity measures will remain in place for travel by air (where admissible) on LTC, which would continue to be restricted to economy class irrespective of the entitlement,” the Finance Ministry said. Earlier this month, the Union Home Ministry had taken graduated measures to usher in flexi working hours aimed at easing the burden on its employees.