The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964

RULE 13. GIFTS:

Government of India Decisions

(1) Manner of disposal of gifts received from foreign dignitaries those of ‘trifling’ or ‘symbolic’ value may be retained but others to be deposited in Toshakhana-purchase from Toshakhana on payment of assessed value permissible.

A large number of presents were made to officers of the Central and State Governments by the Soviet leaders, the King of Saudi Arabia and other foreign dignitaries who visited India during the last few months. The manner in which such presents offered by foreign dignitaries should be disposed of has been under consideration and the following decisions have been taken.

2. The presents referred to may be broadly classified into two categories. The first category would include presents which are symbolic in nature and not of any practical use, such as the Sword and the Ceremonial Robe presented by the King of Saudi Arabia. It has been decided that presents of this type may be retained by the recipients.

The second category would be presents which are of trivial value. According to the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955 ‘trivial value’ has been defined as value not exceeding Rs. 20. In the case of presents from foreign dignitaries, it has been decided that the limit should be raised to Rs. 200 and that presents not exceeding this value may be retained by the recipients.

3. The question then arises with regard to the presents which do not come under either of the above categories. It has been suggested that the giving of presents by foreign dignitaries is not intended to influence the recipients in the discharge of their duties in favour of donor. On the other hand if such presents were to be handed over to Government and Government were to dispose them off by sale or otherwise, the information is likely to get known and the donors are bound to feel seriously offended. As many of the presents may have the names of the donors inscribed on them, their disposal by Government would also cause some embarrassment. At the same time, it is undesirable from the service point of view to allow officers to retain expensive presents which they may happen to get by virtue of their official position. Taking all relevant factors into account, it has been decided that in respect of presents not covered by the two categories referred to earlier, the officers should be asked to deposit them at the Government Toshakhana and the receipients may be given the option to purchase them from the Toshakhana at prices to be fixed by the authorities incharge. The presents which are not so purchased by the recipients will remain at the disposal of Government to be utilized for such purposes as Government may decide. It is possible that some of these presents may be of cultural value, which could very well be handed over to a Museum or a cultural body, while others may be found suitable for being used as counter presents by Government or Government officials. Those which are not disposed of in this manner will be kept on deposit in the Government Toshakhana and may even be sold to persons other than the recipients in suitable cases, though indiscriminate sale should certainly be avoided for reasons already stated.

[M.H.A. D.O. No. 25/49/55-Ests., dated 31.03.1956]

It has been brought to the notice of Government that some foreign countries have adopted the practice of offering cash gifts to visiting guests by way of ‘expense money’ in addition to paying for transport, hotel bills etc. Government have decided that no cash gift should be accepted by any Government servant visiting a country abroad as a guest of that country. Gifts in kind received by a Government servant should be dealt with the in accordance with the existing instructions on the subject.

2. This may please be brought to the notice of all concerned.

[M.E.A. OM No. F.55-TK/56, dated 19.11.1956]

(1A) Procedure for disposal of gifts received from foreign dignitaries.

This Ministry has for some time been considering the question of laying down the procedure for disposal of articles of gifts received by Government servant from foreign dignitaries whether in India or while serving abroad or on a tour abroad.

2. Instructions on the subject were issued to the Indian Missions abroad and to the officers in this Ministry in 1956 vide enclosed copies of Memo No. F.21.TK/56, dated 15.05.1956 and its enclosures and OM No. 20-TK (C.89)/56 dated 13.09.1956 (not reproduced). A meeting between the Ministries of External Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance was held on the 13th March, 1959, to discuss the question of payment of custom duty on presents, auction of Toshakhana articles and other allied matters. A copy of the minutes of the meeting is enclosed for information.

3. According to the decision now arrived at, no customs duty is leviable on the presents received by Government officials if they are within the ceiling limit of Rs. 200 and are permitted to be retained by the recipients. In granting such permission the Head of the Department should satisfy himself about the value of the articles. In case of doubt the presents may be got valuated by the Customs Appraiser, Foreign Post Office, Harding Bridge, New Delhi.

4. Presents of a value of more than Rs. 200 should be surrendered to the Toshakhana in this Ministry unless any of the articles is required by the Ministry/Office concerned for official use in which case, the matter should be referred to the Ministry of External Affairs for giving its approval in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. The articles surrendered to the Toshakhana will be disposed of in accordance with the procedure agreed to by the Central Board of Revenue.

5. The Ministries of Home Affairs etc., are requested to issue suitable instructions to all concerned.

[MEA OM No. 15(101) (GA)/59/EA I/60(I)/183, dated 11.10.60]

* Minutes of Meeting held in the Secretary General’s Room at 11.30 hrs. on 13.03.1959 to discuss the question of payment of customs duty on presents, auction of Toshakhana articles etc.

The following decisions were taken:-

(i) Customs duty on presents received by Government Official from foreign dignitaries – It was decided that no customs duty is leviable on presents received by Government officials from foreign dignitaries, which are within the ceiling limit of Rs. 200 and are permitted to be retained by the recipients, as laid down in para 2 of the Ministry of Home Affairs D.O. No. 25/49/55-Ests; dated the 31st March, 1956 and further clarified in the Ministry of External Affairs Office Memorandum No. F.20TK/(C).89/56 dated the 13th September, 1956.

(ii) Presents surrendered to Toshakhana – It was decided to continue the present practice of transferring temporarily or permanently, from the Toshakhana articles for use in Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, Rashtrapati Niwas, Simla, Prime Minister’s official residence, New Delhi, museum, Indian embassies abroad and Government Departments, in addition to presents made to charitable institutions.

Gifts remaining in the Toshakhana, which are not covered under the above sub-paragraph should be divided into two categories for the purpose of levying customs duty:-

(a) Those on which customs duties are leviable on advalorem rates; and

(b) Others on which specific rates of duty be leviable. In case of both (a) and (b) customs duties will be charged.

In case of (a) the sale proceeds at the auction will be considered as inclusive of customs duty and the amount of customs duty chargeable will be calculated accordingly. In case of (b) the amount of duty leviable will form the reserve price. In cases where even this reserve price is not realizable at the auction, the case will be referred to the C.B. R. for advice.

(iii) Auction of Toshakhana articles – The consensus of opinion was to permit members of all Ministries and Departments, including those of the Ministry of External Affairs to bid at the Toshakhana auction. It was accordingly, decided to find suitable neutral agency other than the Ministry of External Affairs to conduct auctions in which members of the Ministry of External Affairs could also participate. The Central Board of Revenue was suggested as a possible agency for this purpose. The Chairman, C.B.R., agreed to examine the question and to advise the Ministry of External Affairs accordingly and action will be taken on the receipt of CBR’s advice.

(iv) Reserve prices – It was also decided that the fair prices for articles brought to auction for the first time should be the appraised value plus the customs duty calculated on this appraised value. Articles which were not sold in the first auction and were brought for the second auction should be sold to the highest bidder, at “free value”. (This decision should be referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General for his concurrence before auction in finalized.)

(v) Valuation – For valuation of articles which are to be disposed of through the Toshakhana other than gifts within the ceiling limit of Rs. 200 which are to be retained by recipients a Customs Appraiser will be consulted. The actual mechanics of this consultation will be worked out by the C.B.R. in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs.

(1B) Procedure for disposal of gifts received from foreign dignitaries – Clarification

Reference this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No. F15(10)GA/59/EA/1/60/1/83, dated 11th October, 1960 (Decision No. 2 above) on the subject mentioned above. It may be clarified that the decisions arrived at in the inter-Ministerial meeting on March 13, 1959, referred to therein do not apply to present received by Government servants from foreign dignitaries abroad. Those decisions are applicable in the case of present received by Government servants from foreign dignitaries in India only. The following further points are also clarified:-

(1) The amount of custom duty is not to be added for fixing the value of gift received by a Government servant from a foreign dignitary abroad.

(2) There is no need to send the article of gift to the Toshakhana from abroad, unless specifically asked to do so by this Ministry. The article if not purchased by the recipient, can be kept in the residence of the Head of Mission/Post as an exhibit piece or as an object of art. The action taken in this regard should, however, be intimated to this Ministry in each case.

[MEA OM No. F.16(11)/GA/60 (EA. 1)/60/1/239, dated 31.12.1960]

(1C) Procedure for disposal of gifts received from foreign dignitaries – Clarification

In continuation of decisions No. (2) and (3) above, it has since been decided that the Head of a Mission, on the termination of his assignment in a particular country, will be allowed to retain souvenir presents given to him by the Diplomatic Corps, such as a silver salver or cigarette box bearing the signatures of his colleagues, even though the value of such presents may exceed Rs. 200/-.

It has further been decided that a Government servant who receives a present from a foreign dignitary, whether in India or abroad, the value of which exceeds Rs. 200 will be allowed to retain it by paying the difference of estimated value and Rs. 200/- if he so desires.

[Ministry of E.A. OM No. F. 16(2)GA/61CEAI/61/1/36), dated 16.03.1961]

(1D) Presents received by Government Servants from foreign dignitaries and foreign firms-Instructions regarding.

In suppression all the existing instructions on the above mentioned subject, the following instructions will govern the receipt, retention and disposal of gifts received by Government servants from foreign dignitaries and foreign firms.

2. The presents received from foreign dignitaries will fall into two categories. The first category will include presents which are of symbolic nature, like a ceremonial sword, a ceremonial robe etc. Such gifts of symbolic nature may be retained by the recipients.

3. The second category of gifts would be those which are not of symbolic nature. It has been decided that such gifts may be retained by Government servants, if their value does not exceed Rs. 1,000/-. The following procedure may be followed in regard to such gifts which are marginal or in cases where the value apparently exceeds Rs. 1,000/- or where there is any doubt about their actual value:-

The Government servants shall report the receipt of such gifts to the Ministry/Department administratively concerned, indicating their approximate estimated value. The Ministry/Department concerned shall, in cases of doubt or in marginal cases where the estimated value borders on the prescribed limit Rs. 1,000/- or where the estimated value exceeds Rs. 1,000/- refer the case to the Toshakhana for valuation of gifts and also arrange to get such gifts deposited in the Toshakhana so that it can assess their value. On assessment of the value by Toshakhana, if the value of gift in marginal or doubtful case is found to be within the prescribed limit of Rs. 1,000 the gifts will be returned to the Ministry/Department for being handed over to the recipient. Gifts whose value is found to exceed the prescribed limit of Rs. 1,000 will be retained in the Toshakhana and the recipients of the gifts will have the option to purchase them from the Toshakhana by paying the difference between the value as estimated by the Toshakhana and Rs. 1,000/-.

4. As regards acceptance of gifts by Government servants from foreign firms, no permission is normally granted, save in exceptional circumstances, for acceptance of gifts made by firms, whether foreign or indigenous, with whom the Government servant concerned has had or has or is likely to have official dealings either directly or indirectly by virtue of his official position. Permission is also not normally granted for acceptance of gifts by Government servants from firms which are contracting firms with the Government of India, even if the contract is entered into by a Ministry or Department other than the one in or under which the Government servant concerned is serving. The question of grant of permission for acceptance of gifts from a foreign firm would, therefore, normally arise only in those cases where the foreign firm concerned is neither a firm contracting with the Government of India nor one with which the Government servant concerned has had, or is likely to have official dealings and there is no reason to doubt the bona-fide of the gifts made by the foreign firm. In such cases, where it is proposed to grant permission for acceptance of the gift made by a foreign firm the procedure indicated in the preceding paragraphs regarding retention of the gifts made by foreign dignitaries should be followed.

[MHA DP & AR No. 11013/4/76-Estt.(A), dated 27.08.1976]

(2) Acceptance of gifts by Government servants on the occasion of their transfer or retirement.

Instances have come to the notice of Government in which senior officers and others were presented, on the occasion of their retirement or transfer, with expensive gifts for the purchase of which the members of the staff contributed. Permission of Government under Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955, to accept these gifts was sought on the ground that these were a token of the esteem and affection in which the officers concerned were held.

2. While a farewell entertainment of substantially private and informal character may be held in honour of such officers on the eve of retirement or transfer, as permitted under the proviso to Rule 11 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955 and gifts of trifling value [as defined in the Explanation to rule 10 (2) of the above rules] presented and accepted on such occasions, it is hardly healthy or desirable to allow the practice of accepting gifts from the staff.

3. The Ministry of Finance etc., are accordingly requested to bring to the notice of all concerned that entertainment or gifts on such occasions should be strictly confined to the limits permitted under the Conduct Rules.

[MHA OM No. 25/40/58-Ests.(A), dated 24.07.1958]

(2A) Acceptance of gifts by Government servants on the occasion of their transfer or retirement – Clarification

Attention is invited to MHA OM No. 25/40/58-Ests.(A) dated 24.07.1958, (Decision 9 above) in which it has been emphasized that while a farewell entertainment of a substantially private and informal character may be held in honour of officers on the eve of their retirement or transfer as permitted under the proviso to rule 11 of the Central Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955, and gifts of trifling value (as defined in the Explanation to rule 10(2) of the above rules) presented and accepted on such occasions, it is hardly healthy or desirable to allow the practice of accepting gifts from the staff. In spite of these instructions, instances have come to the notice of Government in which Government servant were presented with gifts of more than trifling value on the occasion of their retirement or transfer and the Government servant concerned asked for permission to accept them. It has, therefore, been decided that in future no Government servant should be given permission to accept gifts of more than trifling value at the time of his transfer. There is, however, no objection to his accepting gifts at the time of his retirement from the members of the staff, subject however, to prior permission of Government, wherever such permission is necessary.

[MHA OM No. 25/22/62-Ests.(A), dated 12.11.1962]

(3) Familiarity arising out of private hospitality – recommendation No. 24 of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption.

Recommendation No. 24 contained in paragraph 6.11 of the report of the Committee on prevention of Corruption, has been carefully considered in the light of the comments received from the Ministries/Departments. The following decisions were reached in regard to this recommendation:-

(i) The distinction between Economic Ministries and other Ministries may not serve any useful purpose as officers were liable to transfer and a business house may find it worth-while to invest in an officer even though he were in a non-Economic Ministry, in the hope that this investment would be useful later on.

(ii) It is essential to avoid the familiarity arising out of private hospitality. When in doubt, an officer should abstain from an invitation and he should not accept invitations particularly from person who have cases pending before him.

2. Attention of the Ministries etc. is also invited to the provisions contained in Rule 13 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, issued in Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. 25/4/63-Ests.(A), dated 30th November, 1964, particularly to Note (2) under the said Rule.

3. A doubt was also expressed whether if a Minister accepts an invitation; it should be incumbent on the official to accept it. It has been decided that in such cases it would not be incumbent on the official to accept the invitation.

[MHA OM No. 43/60/64-AVD, dated 18.01.1965]

(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]

(5) Acceptance of dowry by Government servants

It is provided in this Ministry’s OM No. 25/8/57-Estt.(A) dated the 25th March, 1957 (not reproduced) that dowry should be regarded as a customary gift which a Government servant may accept without prior sanction and that subject to the provisions of the rules relating to gifts and transactions in immovable and movable property, all such gifts should be reported to the Government or other prescribed authority.

2. The matter has been reviewed in the context of the provisions contained in the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Section 2 of this Act defines dowry as ‘any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given directly or indirectly by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage or by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person at or before the marriage as consideration for the marriage of the said parties, but does not include dowry or mahar in the case of persons to whom the muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies’. For removal of doubts Explanation I below Section 2 declares that ‘any presents made at the time of marriage to other party to the marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, clothes or other articles, shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning of the section unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the said parties’. Persons who are guilty of giving or taking or abetting the giving or taking of dowry, or demanding any dowry, directly or indirectly from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom, as the case may be, are liable to the punishments prescribed in Sections 3 and 4 of the Act. In the circumstances, Government servant should not give or take or abet the giving or taking of dowry; nor should they demand dowry, directly or indirectly, from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom as the case may be. Dowry can, therefore, no longer be treated as ‘customary gift’ as has been stated in this Ministry’s OM of 25.03.1957 referred to in para 1 above (not reproduced). Any violation of the provision of Dowry prohibition Act, 1961 by a Government servant will constitute a good and sufficient reason for institution disciplinary proceedings against him in addition to such legal action as may be taken against him in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

3. Receipt of presents by Government servants at the time of their marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, cloths or other articles, otherwise than as consideration for marriage from relatives and personal friends will be regulated by sub-rules (2) of rule 13 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. The receipt of such presents from persons other than relatives and personal friends, will be regulated by sub-rule (1) of rule 13 ibid read with sub-rule (3) thereof. Purchases of items of movable property for giving presents at the time of marriage will be regulated by rule 18 (3) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, like other transaction in movable property.

4. This Ministry’s OM No. 25/8/57-Ests.(A) dated 25.03.1957 (not reproduced) may be treated as cancelled.

[MHA OM No. 25/37/65-Ests.(A), dated 30.08.1965]

(6) Acceptance of passage and hospitality by officers from foreign contracting firms.

Government have had under consideration the question whether an officer may be permitted to accept the cost of passage to a foreign country and hospitality during his stay there by way of free board and lodging, if offered by a foreign firm contracting with the Government either directly or through its agents/representatives in India. The explanation below rule 13 (1) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, provides that ‘gift’ shall include free transport, boarding, lodging or other service or any other pecuniary advantage when provided by any person other than a near relative or personal friend having no official dealings with the Government servant. Note 2 below the said rule further provides that a Government servant shall avoid accepting lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual having official dealings with him or from industrial or commercial firms, organizations etc. In the circumstances, Government have decided that officers should neither accept, nor be permitted to accept offers of the cost of passage to foreign countries and hospitality by way of free board and lodging there, if such offers are made by foreign firms contracting with Government either directly or through theirs agents/representatives in India. The only exception to this will be in respect of facilities for training abroad offered by foreign firms (who obtain re-imbursement from the foreign Government concerned) as part of aid programmes. *(for as part of an agreement or contract entered into by Government of India or a Public Sector Undertaking with foreign organization.)

[MHA, OM No. F.25/4/67-Ests,(A), dated 03.04.1967 as amended by OM bearing same number dated 06.11.1967]

(7) Arms and ammunitions in the prohibited category should not be accepted as presents.

Gifts offered to the Government officials by foreign institutions, foreign dignitaries, etc., may include arms and ammunitions. The firearms and ammunitions described in category I of Schedule I appended to Arms Rules, 1962 (copy enclosed) are generally not allowed to be imported into the country for private use. It has accordingly been decided that arms and ammunitions in the prohibited category should not be accepted by Government officials. The concerned official may politely decline the present explaining the import restrictions imposed by the Government of India.

Arms Act and Rules

Schedule I

[MHA OM No. 25/13/65-Ests.(A) dated 10.12.1969]

(8) Book Clubs run by Foreign Agencies – Acceptance of membership by Government servants

Attention is invited to item 3 of Annexure I of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Office Memorandum No. 25/34(s)/67-Ests.(A), dated the 22nd May, 1969 (extract printed) and to say that a question has been raised whether a Government servant should obtain the permission of the Government for accepting the membership of book club run by a foreign agency. It is clarified that a Government servant should obtain the prior permission of the Government before he becomes a member of such a book club. If membership of the foreign book club entitled the Government servant to receive books, etc., by way of gifts, the question of acceptance of such gifts would be Government by rule 13 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

[OM No. 25/16/73-Ests.(A), dated 03.07.1973 of Department of Personnel]

Extract from Annexure I to the Ministry of Home Affairs OM No. 25/34(S)/67-Ests.(A), dated 22nd May, 1969.

* * * *

3. Gifts

In the matter of exchange of gifts with foreign nationals, members of foreign missions or acceptance of foreign articles from them the relevant provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 should be borne in mind and prior permission taken wherever necessary under the rules. It is to be noted that it would be illegal to bring foreign exchange into this country save as provided for in the Foreign Exchange Regulation.

(9) Contacts with business firms – Instructions regarding

Note (2) below Rule 13 (1) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, lays down that a Government servant shall avoid accepting lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual having official dealings with him or from industrial or commercial firms, organizations etc. Rule 4 (3) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 inter-alia envisages that no Government servant shall in the discharge of his official duties deal with any matter concerning any company or firm or any other person if he or any member of his family is interested in such matter in any manner. These instructions have been issued to ensure that Government servants are extremely careful and discreet while coming in contact with businessmen and business firms so as to avoid situations, which might cause embarrassment to the Government or to the Government servants concerned, while dealing with matters relating to those business firms/businessmen in their official capacity.

2. It may sometimes so happen that a Government servant is required to maintain contact with outsiders to gain information, in the public interest, about the violation of rules, regulations etc. In such cases the Government servant concerned has to exercise adequate care and discretion in making use of such outside contacts so that neither the Government nor the Government servant personally becomes obliged or committed to the said contact in any manner.

[DOPT O.M. No. 11013/1/88-Estt. (A) dated 10.05.1988]

(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) 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 – 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) 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 – 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]

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