Question : AIR TRAVEL

(a) whether officer in receipt of basic pay between Rs. 12,300/- and Rs. 16,400/- can travel by air at their discretion if the distance involved is more than 500 kilometers and the journey cannot be performed overnight by train;

(b) if so, whether any prior permission is required to undertake air journey by the above class officials;

(c) if so. who is the competent authority to grant such permission;

(d) whether the Government propose to amend the relevant rules since it is causing hardship to Government officials; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI BALASAHEB VIKHE PATH) :

(a) to (c) Yes Sir. No prior permission of any authority is required for such travel.

(d) and (e) No Sir. The Secretaries of the Ministries/Departments are already empowered to allow any Government Employee to travel by air on official journeys if the occasion so demands.