Amid speculations about the increase in Travel Allowance (TA) of the central government employees after the central government’s announcement of the restoration of Dearness Allowance (DA) from the month of July, a report has clarified that according to 7th CPC matrix calculation rule, the TA will not rise despite the rise of DA as the current DA is not 25 per cent and above. As the existing DA of the central government employees is 17 per cent, TA hike from July is not going to be applicable.

As part of virtual activities for commemoration of 75 Years of India’s Independence, India Tourism recently organised an online presentation for the travel and tourism students of Shri MD Shah Mahila College of Arts & Commerce in Mumbai. Participants were informed about the on-going ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ webinar series of the Ministry of Tourism and were encouraged to join the same. The specially edited video from the Dekho Apna Desh webinar series   “Lesser known stories of India’s struggle against the British” was also shown. This was attended by around 100 students and faculty members.

According to a study done by the university using data from India and five other countries, using domestic travel bans to control COVID-19 infections may be inadvisable. It found that imposing travel bans can counter-intuitively increase the total spread of coronavirus disease, creating a ‘lose-lose situation’. The national lockdown in the first wave trapped millions of migrants inside big cities like Mumbai that were fast-growing coronavirus hotspots.

In order to provide timely assistance to its members and the fraternity at large, ADTOI has formed a task force from among its members. Rajiv Arora of Phoenix Holidays, New Delhi has been made in-charge of this task force along with some volunteers who will coordinate and collecting the authenticity of information which will then be circulated to all members pan India. Its main task will be to collect authentic information on availability of oxygen cylinders, ventilators, beds at hospitals, medicines, etc.

Both Kerala Travel Mart Society as well as Hotel Association of India (HAI) have requested the FM to customise the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 3.0 that has been extended to the industry. They have also requested to investigate the anomalies in the operational guidelines and FAQ released by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC), due to which, the scheme itself is being nullified.

The UAE has extended the suspension imposed on entry of passengers flying from India into the country until May 14 on account of the situation. It had announced the suspension from midnight on April 25 until May 4. The only exceptions to the ban on entry are UAE nationals, diplomats and persons holding golden residency visas.

IATO has formed a Covid -19 Assistance Task Force to help its members who need help in this time of crisis. The main objective of this committee is to gather authentic information and provide assistance to members. it has requested support from its members for this as many members have their family members working or have contacts for hospitals, medical equipment suppliers and oxygen cylinder suppliers.

Following the orders from the Centre, Tuhin Kanta Pandey (IAS 1987-Batch) has been assigned the additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. Pandey will hold the additional charge from April 26, 2021 to May 13, 2021 i.e. during the period of absence on leave of Pradeep Singh Kharola (IAS 1985-Batch). At present, Pandey is serving as the Secretary, Department of Investment & Public Asset Management, Ministry of Finance.  

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) which represents more than 1,600 operators for inbound tourists, has written to PM Modi asking for an intervention for amendment to conditions imposed by National Credit Guarantee Trustee (NCGTC) in implementation of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) which has been extended to travel and hospitality sectors. It provides operators access to easy emergency credit with the govt standing as guarantor.

Writing to all the Chief Secretaries of states and UTs, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, has requested to consider the personnel involved in aviation and related services like airlines, airports, maintenance, cargo, ground handling agencies catering etc, as a priority group since “air transportation is an essential service”.