The Centre has recently extended the scheme allowing the central government employees to visit Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the northeast region on leave travel concession (LTC) by two years. Which central government employees will be eligible for this LTC scheme? When will they have to visit these select regions and claim LTC? Can LTC be claimed on flight tickets to travel to these select places? All the central government employees must know about the recent LTC rule changes.
Who is eligible to claim LTC to visit the northeast region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar and Ladakh?
All eligible government employees can avail LTC to visit any place in the northeast region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar and Ladakh against the conversion of their one home town LTC in the block period of four years.
In an Office Memorandum dated September 17, 2024, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training, said, The government servant whose home town is situated in northeast region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar and Ladakh will also be allowed conversion of home town LTC for availing this scheme to visit any place in any one of the three regions out of the above mentioned four regions except the region wherein his/her hometown is situated.
“Fresh Recruits are also allowed conversion of one of the three home town LTCs in a block of four years, applicable to them to visit NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh. In addition, they are allowed one additional conversion of home town LTC to visit UT of J&K/UT of Ladakh in a block of four years,” it added.
When can the central government employees visit these select areas under the LTC scheme?
According to the memorandum, “The scheme allowing government servants to travel by air to the northeast region (NER), Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) is extended for a further period of two years, w.e.f. 26th September, 2024 till 25th September, 2026.”
Who is not eligible to claim LTC to visit the northeast region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar and Ladakh?
DoPT said, “Government servants, whose home town and headquarters/place of posting are same, they are not allowed the conversion of any home town LTC as they are not eligible for the home town LTC facility.”
Can central government employees claim LTC for flight tickets?
“Government servants entitled to travel by air may avail this concession from their headquarters in their entitled class of air by any airlines subject to the terms and conditions,” the OM said.Government servants not entitled to travel by air are allowed to travel by air in economy class by any airline subject to the terms and conditions as mentioned in DoPT’s OM dated 29.08.2022 in the following sectors:
i) Between Kolkata/Guwahati and any place in the northeast region.
ii) Between Kolkata /Chennai/Visakhapatnam and Port Blair.
iii) Between Delhi/Amritsar and any place in J&K/Ladakh.
iv) The journey for these non-entitled employees from their headquarters up to Kolkata/Guwahati/ Chennai/Visakhapatnam/Delhi/Amritsar shall be undertaken as per their entitlement.
Air travel by government employees to NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N as mentioned above is allowed whether they avail the concession against anywhere in India LTC or in lieu of the home town LTC, as permitted.
LTC rules: Know who can claim
Government servants not entitled to travel by air are also allowed to travel by air in economy class by any airline to any place in NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh from their Headquarters directly, however, the reimbursement will be subject to the conditions as enumerated in DoPT’s OM No. 31011/12/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 29.08.2022.
“The instructions regarding booking of air tickets through authorized travel agents, best available fares, slots, booking time, advances, reimbursement, etc., as mentioned in DoPT’s OM No. 31011/12/2022- Estt. A-IV dated 29.08.2022 read with DoPT’s OM No. 31011/11/2023 – Pers. Policy A-IV dated 20.10.2023 will also be applicable for this Special Dispensation Scheme,” it said.
“All the Ministries/Departments are advised to bring it to the notice of all their employees that any misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously and the employees will be liable for appropriate action under the rules,” DoPT said.