Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 -Relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar

DoPT Orders 2019

Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 -Relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar - clarification reg

No. 31011/3/2018-Estt. (A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, public Grievances and Pensions
Department of personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: June 20,2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 -Relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar - clarification reg

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 20.09.2018 regarding the relaxation to travel by air on LTC to visit North-East Region (NER), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) and to say that as per para 2(v) of the aforesaid O.M., Government employees non-entitled to travel by air are allowed air travel in Economy class subject to maximum fare limit of LTC-80 fare in the following sectors:

a) Between Kolkata/ Guwahati and any place in NER.
b) Between Kolkata/ Chennai/ Visakhapatnam and Port Brair.
c) Between Delhi/ Amritsar and any place in J&K.

Journey for these non-entitled.employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Visakhapatnam/ Delhi/ Amritsar is to be undertaken as per their entitlement.

2. In this regard, several references / RTI applications are received in this Department seeking clarification regarding settlement of LTC claims where a non-entitled Government employee directly travels by air from his Headquarters to the destination in North-East Region (NER), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) as opposed to their entitlement.

3. The matter has been examined in this- Department in consultation with Department of Expenditure. It has been decided that cases of direct air travel by a non-entitled Government on LTC from his Headquarters !o special dispensation the place oi visit in NER/ J&K / A&N under the special dispensation scheme of travel by air as under:

"Entitled class rail fare from the.Headquarters/ place of posting to the nearest relevant railhead (ie. Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Delhi/ Amritsar/ Chennai/ Visakhapatnam) based on the place of visit (in NER / J&K/ A&N) + LTC-80 Economy class air fare from the same railhead to the place of visit in NER / J&K / A&N ); or the actual air fare from the Headquarters to the place of visit, whichever is less."

4. In their application to the staff serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, this order issues after consultation with Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India.
(As per the standard list)

Source: DoPT

Clarification for booking of air-tickets on LTC – Dopt issued on 23.9.2015

Clarification for booking of air-tickets on LTC – Dopt issued on 23.9.2015

G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.31011/5/2014-Estt (A.IV), dated 23.9.2015

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- Clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No.31011/4/2014-Estt.(A-IV) dated 19th June, 2014 which lays down that the Government employees are required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s). Vide DoPT’s O.M. 31011/5/2014-Estt.(AIV) dated 24.09.2014, the web-portal of these authorized travel agents will also be treated as an acceptable mode for purchase of air tickets on LTC subject to the conditions stated vide Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E-IV dated 5thSeptember, 2014.

2. It has been observed that various Ministries/Departments continue to send references to DoPT seeking relaxation regarding the booking of air tickets for the purpose of LTC from the travel agents not authorised by the aforesaid O.M.. In most of the cases, the common reason stated by the LTC beneficiaries is that they were not aware of the guidelines and inadvertently booked the tickets from other travel agents.

3. All the Ministries/ Departments are advised to ensure a wide circulation of the guidelines as stated in para 1 of this O.M.. This point may also be emphasized by the Administration whenever any advance is sought or intention to avail LTC is conveyed by the Government servant.

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

Click to view the order

MOD invites LTC Claim Details for one time relaxation – BPMS

MOD invites LTC Claim Details for one time relaxation – BPMS

One Time Relaxation for LTC claim

(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222
MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in

REF: BPMS / CIR / LTC / 01

Dated: 27.07.2015

To,
The Office Bearers / CEC Members,
President / Secretary of the Unions
Affiliated to BPMS

Subject: One Time Relaxation for LTC claim
 

Dear brothers & sisters,
 

Namaskar
 

You may be aware of that Shri S N Batwe, Patron/BPMS highlighted some of the following issues related to LTC, thereupon vide letter No. BPMS / DoP&T/ LTC / 50 (7/2/R), Dated 10.11.2014 this federation requested the DoP&T as well as MOD to consider the issues sympathetically :-

(i) Earlier { DoP&T F.No. 31011/412007-Estt.(A), dated 02.05.2008} the Group ‘B’ Central Government employees were entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport but now {vide DoP&T O.M. No. 31011/ 3/ 2014-Estt.(A-IV), dated 26.09.2014} only eligible Government servants may travel from their place of posting or nearest airport, hence necessary clarification was required so that the Group ‘B’ employees may be entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport;

(ii) Vide DoP&T F.No. 31011/4/2007-Estt (A), Dated 30.04.2012 the Air travel relaxation under LTC for NER was extended for 02 yrs from 01.05.2012, i.e., applicable upto 01.05.2014 and vide DoP&T F. No. 31011/2/2003-Estt.A-IV, dated 15.06.2012 the Air travel relaxation under LTC for J&K was extended for 02 yrs from 18.06.2012, i.e., applicable upto 18.06.2014 whereas this order grants the relaxation for air travel w.e.f. 26.09.2014. There were some of the employees who have travelled by Air under LTC in the intervening period, i.e., 01.05.2014 / 18.06.2014 and 26.09.2014 in anticipation of extension of such relaxation as per prevailing practice. To mitigate the financial hardships of such employees, the DoP&T O.M. No. 31011/ 3/ 2014-Estt.(A-IV), dated 26.09.2014 should have retrospective effect, i.e., 01.05.2014.

(iii) Some of the defence civilian employees while availing LTC by Air to destinations like A&N Islands, J&K and NER, did not follow the instructions regarding purchase of their air tickets only from the booking counters/websites of Air India or from the Authorized Travel Agents [M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC] and their LTC claims are not being allowed. Hence, one time relaxation is required to settle these cases.

Now, Min of Defence is considering the case (iii) and invited the details from concerned authorities. Hence, all are requested to forward their details through proper channel in given format only.

Thanking you.

Sincerely yours
sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS & Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Government of India
Ministry of Defence
D(Civ-I)

Subject : Proposal for seeking one time relaxation in respect of LTC 80 claims of Defence Civilian Employees

Defence Civilian Employees’ Federations are pursuing the above issue in the meetings of the JCM Departmental Council wherein they have informed that many Defence civilian employees while availing LTC by Air to destinations like A&N Islands, J&K and NER, did not follow the instructions regarding purchase of these air tickets only from the booking counters/websites of Air India or from the Authorized Travel Agents [M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC]. A number of employees being first time travellers by air, did not observe these instructions due to ignorance. As a result, there administrative authorities have rejected their claims under LTC 80 submitted by them after performing the journey. To resolve this issue, the employees Federations have approached this Ministry and have requested to take up the matter to DoP&T with recommendation that:

a) Claims of Group C and B employees who are otherwise not entitled for Air Travel, in case they have availed LTC 80 by purchasing Air tickets from other than the authorized agents may be considered as a one time measure and a relaxation may be granted to pass their LTC claims as a special case;

b) For such employees who have purchased Air Tickets prior to 26 Sep 2014 from other than authorized agents to travel to A&N Islands, in their case, the LTC claim may be restricted to their entitled class in Steamer/Ship

2. The DoP&T have communicated vide their letter No.31011/6/2015-Estt.A IV dated 1st July addressed to JCM, National Council, that it would not be feasible to relax the LTC rules as a one-time measure. However, cases of individual hardship as recommended by Ministries/ Departments would be considered on a case to case basis.

3. Accordingly, it is proposed to take up the matter with the DoP&T for a decision on the LTC claims submitted by the defence civilian employees where the air tickets have not been purchased by these employees in accordance with the Government instructions. It is requested that the details of such cases may please be furnished in the enclosed proforma latest by 17 Aug 2015, along with views/comments, so that a consolidated proposal could be sent to the DoP&T for consideration of one time relaxation.

Encl : Proforma

Sd/-
Gurdeep Singh)
Under Secretary (Civ)

Click to view the proforma

Source : BPMS

Government officials may get to claim LTC for domestic helicopter flights

Government officials may get to claim LTC for domestic helicopter flights: Economic Times Report

NEW DELHI: The government is discussing a proposal to allow its employees to claim leave travel concession for domestic helicopter flights, a move seen boosting the helicopter-ferrying business.

At present, central government employees can claim leave travel concession (LTC) only for using scheduled commercial airline flights, preferably Air India. According to a civil aviation ministry official, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had sought a cost analysis of helicopter rides in the country.

“We have sent our analysis to the DoPT on the cost of flying in a helicopter. They had asked for it since they plan to bring helicopter rides under the LTC scheme,” the official, who did not wish to be named, told ET. The helicopter industry has welcomed the proposal, which aims to extend the travel concession to some 3 million central government workers.

“It creates business for helicopter operators in the country. Currently, helicopter operations are available in areas that have difficult terrain and no other means of connectivity, as helicopter rides are expensive,” said Harsh Vardhan Sharma, treasurer at Business Aircraft Operators’ Association and owner of Himalayan Heli Services Ltd, a helicopter operator.

Read more at : Economic Times

LTC to Foreign Countries : Ministry of Civil Aviation nods

LTC to Foreign Countries : Ministry of Civil Aviation nods

The civil aviation ministry has given its nod to a proposal to provide leave travel concession for government employees to Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka to boost tourism in the region.

A senior official in the ministry confirming the development said, “The move is intended to boost tourism within SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries. Pakistan and Bangladesh has been left out for now because of security issues.”

The approval from the ministry of civil aviation was required so that the LTC can be availed of on national carrier Air India while flying to these countries.

Interestingly, latest available official data shows that there has been a decline in foreign tourist arrivals from Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka in 2013.

SriLanka does feature among the top five countries accounting for 3.77 per cent of foreign tourist arrivals in India. However, tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka to India dropped by 11 per cent in 2013.

Similarly, arrivals from Nepal declined by 9 per cent, Bhutan by 1 per cent. Foreign tourist arrivals from Maldives went down by 10 per cent in the same period.

Read more : Financial Express

Leave Travel Concession for Central Government employees is likely to be extended to cover trips to foreign countries

Leave Travel Concession for Central Government employees is likely to be extended to cover trips to foreign countries

Central Government Employees’ LTC Likely to Cover Foreign Countries

Leave Travel Concession for Central Government employees is likely to be extended to cover trips to foreign countries too. Although these are unconfirmed reports, we are sharing the news reports that have appeared in leading English newspapers recently.

Traveling abroad is a dream for most Indian families. The Centre’s attempts to fulfill this dream are worth appreciating. Although initially the scheme covers only four countries (Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka), traveling to a foreign country, with the expenses paid by the Government, is no small accomplishment. Traveling abroad with the entire family is bound to elevate the social status of the employee among his friends and relatives.

Newspapers claim that the decision was influenced by a desire to boost tourism to neighbouring countries after Prime Minister Modi’s trip to the SAARC meeting.

Air travel concession under LTC Scheme to the North East Region was launched by the Centre in 2008 in order to boost tourism to those states. The concession was then extended to cover Jammu and Kashmir.

Now, the concession also covers Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The DoPT issued orders on 26.9.2014 that the relaxation to travel by air to NER, J&K and A&N with effect from September 2014.

In the past, All India LTC was granted once every four years to Central Government employees, to travel by train to a selected place and reimburse the ticket expenses. The fact that, from those humble beginnings, it has come this far, is a welcome development.

From general compartment-travels, the concession was upgraded to the air-conditioned class. Then, it was given for air travels. Now, the scheme is all set to cover trips to foreign countries.

Source: 90Paisa Blog

Booking of Air Tickets on LTC- Instructions issued by Dopt

Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- Clarification issued by Dopt

No.31011/5/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: 24th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- Clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the conditions laid down by this Department’s O.M. No. 31011/4/2014-Estt.(A.lV) dated 19th June, 2014, as per which the Government employees are required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/S Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 310111612002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

2. The matter has further been reviewed and it is clarified that the web-portal of authorized travel agents, namely M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd., M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC will also be treated as an acceptable mode for purchase of air tickets on LTC. However, booking of air tickets through web-portals of these authorized agents would also be governed by the provisions of Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E-IV dated 5th September, 2014 which are as under:

(i) No feel service charges (by whatever nomenclature), which are not included in the ‘tariff’ charged by Air-India/airlines, are required to be paid to the aforementioned authorised travel agents.

(ii) As far as possible, air tickets on Government account may be obtained directly from the Air India/Airlines (booking counters/offices/websites) and if obtaining tickets directly from Air India/Airlines is not possible, should the services of authorised travel agents be availed of.

3. All Ministries/Departments are advised to bring these guidelines to the notice of all their employees.

sd/-
(B. Bandopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_5_2014-Estt-A-IV.pdf]

Will Air Travel Concession for Central Government Employees be Extended?

Will Air Travel Concession for Central Government Employees be Extended?

Will Air Travel Concession for all categories of Central Government Employees (not entitiled to travel by Air on LTC) be Extended for further two years..?

Will the air travel concession given to Central Government employees to travel to tourism spots in Jammu and NER areas be extended?

Will the concession, which was being granted upto April 30(for NER) and June 16, 2014(J&K), be extended by another two years?

Will the new BJP Government continue to implement the concession which was offered by the previous Congress Government?

Will this scheme be available at least for those employees who didn’t avail of this concession before?

Will this air travel concession be given to travel to either Jammu or NER region?

Will this concession, being given in order to develop areas that have been identified as most backward, continue?

Questions like these continue to buzz in the midst of Central Government employees. As of now there are no indications that the concession would be extended. There are also no reports of any ministerial debates or discussions over this issue.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that the scheme, which offered air travel concession to all the Central Government employees, with exception to higher officials, gave social status to many.

Irrespective of these, the families of employees who had availed of this facility are bound to thank the Government for this opportunity!

[A Jammu-based newspaper reported that on June 18, the Union Ministry of Tourism extended the concession for further two years. It is totally unconfirmed till now. As and when orders regarding the extension are published by Dopt, the orders will be published in our website immediately.]

Source: CGEN.in