Invitations for free "inaugural flights" and other offers – acceptance of, by Government servants and members of their families.
(4) Invitations for free "inaugural flights" – acceptance of, by Government servants and members of their families.
The Air India and the Indian Airlines Corporation some times extend invitation to Government servants and members of their families to participate, free of cost in their inaugural flights. Similar invitations may also be received by Government servants and members of their families from foreign air transport Companies operating through India. Such invitations amount to ‘gift’ vide Explanation below rule 13 (1) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and acceptance of such gifts will attract the provisions of rule 13 (4) [now rule 13 (3)] ibid.
2. It is, therefore, necessary to regulate the acceptance of the gifts referred to above, so as to ensure that these favours do not place the Government servants, exercising a measure of discretion on behalf of Government, in a position where their impartial judgment would be affected, or would seem to be so affected to an outside observer. The administrative Ministries/Departments should keep this in view while considering requests of individual officers to permit them or the members of their families to accept invitations for free inaugural flights offered by the Air India, the Indian Airlines Corporation or foreign airlines. The Ministry of Civil Aviation should be consulted in all cases before granting or with holding permission.
3. Cases of officers of the All India Services serving under the Government of India should be referred to the All India Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs who will decide each individual case in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
[MHA OM No. F.25/34/64-Ests.(A), dated 25.05.1965]
(10) Acceptance of ‘Free Companion Ticket’ by Government servants and members of their families under the ‘Companion Free Scheme’ introduced from time to time by various Airlines.
Reference is invited to the Department of Personnel and Training O.M. No. 11013/13/93-Estt. (A) dated 09.12.1993 (not printed) on the above subject. In the light of the representations received from various quarters, and the fact that such a scheme is part of normal sales promotion and is not confined to Government servants alone, the Government have reviewed these instructions. It has been decided to withdraw these instructions with immediate effect. Accordingly, the Government servants may be permitted to accept the Free Companion Tickets or variations thereof, provided that such benefits are restricted to travel by the national carriers (Indian Airlines and Air India).
[DOPT OM No. 11013/2/97-Estt.(A), dated 05.03.1997]
(10A) Do – Clarification
Attention is invited to this Department’s OM of even number dated 5th March, 1997 (decision No. 16 above) on the subject mentioned above wherein it was provided that Government servants may be permitted to accept the Free Companion Tickets or variations thereof provided that such benefits are restricted to travel by the national carriers (Indian Airlines and Air India). References have been received seeking clarification whether Government servant may be permitted to accept the ‘Free Tickets’ earned under the ‘Flying Returns’ schemes of Air India/Indian Airlines. It is clarified that since the OM dated 05.03.1997 permits acceptance of Free Companion Tickets or variations thereof, there would be no objection to Government servants accepting the free tickets earned by them under Flying Returns schemes of Air India/Indian Airlines.
[DOPT OM No. 11013/2/97-Estt.(A), dated 19.08.1997]
(10B) Do – Clarification
It has been clarified that there would be no objection to Government servants accepting the free tickets earned by them under "Flying Return Scheme" of Air India/Indian Airlines. References have been received seeking permission to avail such "Frequent Flier/Flying Return Programmes" of other Airlines including foreign airlines.
2. The matter has been considered in this Department and it has been decided that there would be no objection to Government servants availing of the benefit of such "Frequent Flier Programme" or the "Flying Return Programmes" of other Airlines also. In so far as the "Free Companion Scheme" is concerned, the availing of this facility should remain confined to National Carriers only.
[DOPT OM No. 11013/2/97-Estt.(A), dated 15.09.1998]