Employees need not give boarding pass for TA claims: Govt

The central government has done away with a mandatory requirement of submitting boarding pass by their employees to claim Travelling Allowance (TA) for any official tours undertaken by them.

"Difficulties have been expressed by various quarters in production of original boarding passes along with TA claims from time to time.

"The matter has been considered and it has been decided with the approval of the competent authority that in order to simplify the procedure of settlement of TA claims, the condition of submission of boarding pass along with settlement of TA claim is dispensed with," the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in an order.

However, the officer concerned will have to attach an undertaking along with TA claims that the journey, as mentioned therein, has actually been performed by him or her, it said.
"Other requirements, as per the established procedures will continue to be followed," the order said.

In case of extreme doubt, the controlling officer may be asked to verify the genuineness of the claim, the DoPT said.

The employees have also been asked to purchase air tickets only from the authorised travel agent of this department i.e. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd and at the cheapest rates after comparing the available fare from the websites of travel agents of repute.

"If cheaper rates are available directly from Air India, the same can also be bought," it said.
The frequent flyer reward points from Air India may only be redeemed for the official tours of the department, the DoPT said.