Finance Ministry has asked all ministries and departments to buy air tickets directly from Air India counters or its official website to save on payment of commission to agents.
All Ministries/Departments are again advised that, as far as possible, air tickets on government account may be obtained directly from Air India/Airlines (booking counters/offices/website)," the Ministry said in a circular.
However, it said, if it is not possible to obtain tickets directly from Air India/Airlines counters, they may obtain the services of three authorised travel agents -- Balmer lawrie & Company (BlCl), Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corp (IRCTC).
The PSU travel agents are allowed to levy facilitation fee of `100 per ticket for domestic sector and `300 per ticket for international sector to book tickets on behalf of the government.
Earlier, the Ministry had asked all the government departments not to pay agency commission or charges to Balmer lawrie & Company (BlCl) in their bills till a final decision is taken in the matter, it said.