LTC - 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

LTC in Flights Under Udaan Scheme

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
LTC in Flights Under Udaan Scheme

07 FEB 2019

At present, the officials of Central Government are allowed to travel by Air India flights only while availing LTC. However, the facility to avail tickets in all airlines including private airlines is admissible at present in case of LTC in lieu of Home Town/All India LTC travel to North East Region (NER), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Andaman & Nicobar (A&N), in relaxation to Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 under certain conditions. There is no proposal at present to allow Government officials to travel by private airlines for the purpose of LTC.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

Admissibility of SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) tour package to Lakshadweep Islands on ships operated by Lakshadweep Administration on LTC

Admissibility of SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) tour package to Lakshadweep Islands on ships operated by Lakshadweep Administration on LTC

No. 31011/10/2017-Estt.A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-lV Desk

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated October 11 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Admissibility of SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) tour package to Lakshadweep Islands on ships operated by Lakshadweep Administration on LTC.

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department is in receipt of references seeking clarification regarding the admissibility of journey performed by ships booked through SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports), Lakshadweep, for the purpose of journeys performed on LTC.

2. The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with Department of Expenditure and UT of Lakshadweep. It has been decided that the tour pacakages conducted by SPORTS to Lakshadweep Islands on the ships owned and operated by Lakshadweep Administration shall be allowed for the purpose of LTC journey subject to the following conditions:

(i) SPORTS is offering various tour packages to the tourists, fare of which is charged as per the transportation and accommodation chosen for the destination. Only transportation charges shall be reimbursable for the respective tour package.
(ii) SPORTS shall issue a certificate for transportation charges to the Government servants indicating the fare components separately and certify that the journey was actually performed by the Government servant and his family members for which he/she is claiming the Leave Travel Concession.
(iii) Fare reimbursement for the journey performed by boat/ship shall be exercised in accordance with TA entitlement of the Government servant for journey by sea or river steamer.

3. These instructions shall take effect from the date of issue of this O.M. The LTC claims already settled will not be re-opened.

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

5. Hindi version will follow.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

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

Source: DoPT

Grant of one time relaxation to the Central Government Employees who have availed LTC-80 and travelled by air by purchasing Ticket from other than authorized agents

Grant of one time relaxation to the Central Government Employees who have availed LTC-80 and travelled by air by purchasing Ticket from other than authorized agents

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultations Mechinery
For Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi - 110001
E-mail :nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

No.NC-JCM-2017/
The Secretary,
Government of India,
Department of Personnel & Training,
North Block,
New Delhi

February 9, 2017

Sub: Grant of one time relaxation to the Central Government Employees who have availed LTC-80 and travelled by air by purchasing Ticket from other than authorized agents.

Ref:- Decision taken in the New Agenda No.III of the Standing Committee meeting of the National Council (JCM) held on 25.10.2016

Dear Sir,
In the Standing Committee meeting of the National Council (JCM) held under your chairmanship on 25.10.2016 the Staff Side informed that many non entitled Central government Employees had availed themselves the benefit of LTC-80 and purchased ticket from unauthorized agents, unaware of the rule position. Subsequently audit had returned the LTC final claims without sanctioning them and advised the administrative divisions of the Ministries concerned to recover the entire LTC advance from their salary. The staff Side also informed that Ministry of Defence, with the approval of Hon’ble Defence Minister had forwarded a proposal the DOPT seeking one time relaxation in such cases. The Secretary (P) informed in the meeting that the entire issue is under consideration of the DOPT.

To our shock and surprise the Ministry of Defence vide their ID Note dated 3.2.2017 has issue a letter to the lower formations (copy enclosed) stating that the DOPT has not agreed for granting bulk relaxation to thousands of Group B and Group C Defence Civilian Employees. Further DOPT has advised Ministry of Defence that the proposal for granting relaxation for booking of tickets through private travel agents may be scrutinized individually and has given certain guidelines which is practically difficult to adopt at this stage, since many such employees are due to retire from service shortly. It will be difficult for the administration to cross verify all those claims since the number of affected employees are more than 5000. In this situation we suggest the following for your kind consideration.

“In the case of those employees who have purchase air tickets from other than authorized agents and have actually travelled and submitted the tickets along with boarding pass, in such cases the administration may find out the actual LTC-80 fare from the concerned Airlines on that particular date when the concerned employee actually traveled and the claim may be restricted to the same and the balance amount if any calimed the same may be recovered from the concerned employee”.

The above proposal if accepted will reduce lot of administrative work and also will relieve the concerned employees from financial and mental hardship, thereby setting and outstanding issue once for all. In case of any further clarification required the Staff Side may please be invited for a discussion on the subject. Awaiting for your favorable response please.

Yours faithfully,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

Source: Confederation

Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER, J&K and A&N

No. 31011/ 3/ 2014-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-110 001
Dated: September 19, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER, J&K and A&N.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 09.09.2016 on the subject noted above regarding extension of the scheme to travel by air to North East Region (NER) , Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N). As clarifications have been sought from many quarters, it is clarified that the following schemes have been extended for a further period of two years, w.e.f. 26th September, 2016:

(i) LTC for visiting NER, J&K and A&N in lieu of a Home Town LTC.
(ii) Facility of air journey to non-entitled government servants for visiting NER, J&K and A&N.
(iii) Permission to undertake journey to Jammu and Kashmir by private airline.

2. The above special dispensation is subject to the following terms & conditions:

(i) All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/A&N/ J&K against the conversion of their one Home Town LTC in a four year block.
(ii) Government servants whose Home Town and Headquarters /place of posting are the same are not allowed the conversion.
(iii) Fresh Recruits are allowed conversion of one of the three Home Town LTCs in a block of four years applicable to them.
(iv) Government servants entitled to travel by air can avail this LTC from their Headquarters in Economy class at LTC-80 fare or less. While travelling to North-East region and Port Blair, journey has to be performed by Air India only. However, while availing LTC to Jammu & Kashmir, service of any airlines may be availed.
(v) Government servants not entitled to travel by air are allowed to travel by air in the following sectors:

(a) Between Kolkata/ Guwahati and any place in NER by Air India only in Economy class at LTC-80 fare or less.
(b) Between Kolkata/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar and Port Blair by Air India only in Economy class at LTC-80 fare or less.
(c) Between Delhi / Amritsar and any place in J&K by any airlines in Economy class at LTC-80 fare or less.  Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar/ Delhi/ Amritsar will have to be undertaken as per their entitlement.

(vi) Air travel by non-entitled officers to NER, J&K and A&N is allowed whether they avail the normal anywhere in India LTC or in lieu of the Home Town LTC as permitted.

(vii) Air Tickets are to be purchased 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's O.M. No. 31011/6/2002 Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.

3. Efforts should be made by the Government servants to book the air tickets at the cheapest fare possible. 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. In order to keep a check on any kind of misuse of LTC, Ministries/ Departments are advised to randomly get some of the air tickets submitted by the officials verified from the Airlines concerned with regard to the actual cost of air travel vis-a-vis the cost indicated on the air tickets submitted by the officials.

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (Establishment)
dire-dopt@gov.in

Source: Persmin

Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed

Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed

No.31011/3/2013-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 – 110 001
Dated July 12, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed.

The undersigned is directed to enclose a copy of draft O.M.on the subject noted above for comments within 15 days to the undersigned (email address:jha.sn@nic.in)

sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India

No.31011/3/2013-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 – 110 001
Dated: ,2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession – Guidelines to be followed.

The undersigned is directed to say that some instances where some Government servants colluded with private travel agents to submit LTC claims showing inflated airfare to clandestinely obtain undue benefits like free boarding/lodging/transport of cash refunds have come to notice of the Government.

2. In order to curb these malpractices the following steps may be taken:

(i) As per instructions reiterated from time to time, in all cases whenever a Govt. Servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either directly through 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’. Proposals from different Ministries/Departments for relaxation continue to be received on the plea that the Government servant was not aware of this requirement. Vide the OM dated No.31011/3/2015-Estt (A.IV) dated 18th February, 2016 detailed guidelines on submission and processing of claims were circulated These guidelines are required to be made available to Government servants whenever they apply for LTC. Plea of ignorance of the instructions therefore cannot be used by such Government Servants.

The nodal Ministries of M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. (Ministry of petroleum and Natural Gas), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (Ministry of Tourism) and IRCTC (Ministry of Railways) shall issue instructions to these organisations to ensure compliance to the instructions issues vide O.M.dated 18th February, 2016 on issue of air tickets. Any violation of these instructions shall invite blacklisting.

(ii) Vide the Department of Expenditure’s O.M.No.19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 04.03.2011, it was clarified that reimbursement of air fare lower than LTC-80 fare of Air India is admissible for the journey(s) performed by Air India under LTC-80. LTC-80 fare is to be used as the ceiling beyond which no claim will be entertained. It has now been decided that in accordance with the canons of financial propriety, Government servants should purchase tickets at the lowest rate available at the time of booking for the date and time of scheduled journey. Government servant will be required to submit the print out of the tickets showing date and time of booking in addition to the fare charged. It may, however, be kept in mind that in some cases of cancellation/rescheduling, a refund fee may be applicable. This will be borne by the employee unless the journey had to be rescheduled/cancelled due to exigencies of work. The Authority which has approved the LTC will have the powers to cancel or reschedule it.

(iii) While submitting the LTC claim after completion of the LTC journey, the Govt. Servant will be required to submit a self-certificate on plain paper as follows:

(1) I certify that the airfare claimed by me is in respect of the fare charged by the Airline for the air journey only and does not include any charges for any facility/undue benefit including boarding/lodging/local transport.

(2) I also certify that I have booked the ticket at the lowest fare available for the destination at the time of booking for the scheduled date and time of departure. I am aware that suppression of any information or furnishing wrong information will render me liable to disciplinary action.

3. The Administrative Ministries/Department may also from time to time do random checks from airlines whether the tickets were booked at the lowest fare available on that date. Attention of the Ministries/Departments is also invited to Rule 3(1)(i) of the Central Civil services (conduct) Rules, 1964 which requires the Government servants to maintain absolute integrity at all times. In addition, cheating/fraud also attract various sections of the India Penal code 1860. Ministries/Departments should therefore not hesitate to take severe action against employees guilty of deliberate malpractices, particularly in collusion with travel agents etc.

4. All the Ministries/Departments of Government of India are requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of all concerned.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India.

Original  : DOPT Order

Submit proof of travel for claiming income tax deduction on LTC: CBDT

Submit proof of travel for claiming income tax deduction on LTC: CBDT

The Income Tax Department has brought out a new form making it mandatory for salaried taxpayers to furnish proof of travel for claiming income tax deduction on LTC.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has brought in a Form 12BB form requiring employees to furnish to their employers with evidence in relation to house rent allowance (HRA) if it exceeds Rs 1 lakh in an assessment year.

The details to be furnished include name, address and PAN of landlord where the aggregate rent paid exceeds Rs 1 lakh, according to a CBDT order.

For claiming deduction of interest on home loan, the name, address and PAN of lender will have to be furnished.

Similarly, for claiming income tax deduction on leave travel concession (LTC), the new rule makes it mandatory for employee to furnish to his employer evidence for travel expenditure.

Also evidence of investment or expenditure will have to be provided for claiming tax deduction under Chapter VI-A.

Chapter VI-A pertains to allowable deductions under Section 80C, Section 80CCC, Section 80CCD as well as other sections like 80E, 80G and 80TTA.

These are part of new Rule 26C and Form 12BB that require employees to furnish to the employer, evidence/particulars in relation to house rent allowance (HRA), leave travel concession (LTA), deduction of interest under the head ‘income from house property’ and deduction under Chapter VI-A.

CBDT, in the same order, also extended the time limit for depositing tax deducted at source (TDS) on transfer of immovable property from 7 days to 30 days.

Also, the due date for filing quarterly TDS returns in Form 24Q, 26Q and 27Q was extended by 15 days.
The amended rules will be applicable from June 1, 2016, CBDT said.

Under section 80C, a deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh can be claimed from total taxable income if invested/spent in PPF, employee’s share of PF contribution, life insurance premium payment, children’s tuition fee, principal repayment of home loan, Sukanya Samridhi Account among others.

Section 80CC provides for deduction on amount deposited in annuity plan of LIC or any other insurer for pension while Section 80CCD is for the same purpose on contribution to Pension (Section 80CCD).

Deduction under Section 80GG is available on House Rent paid where HRA is not received and the taxpayer or his spouse or minor child does not own residential accommodation at the place of employment.
Deduction available on the count is the minimum of rent paid minus 10 per cent of total income or Rs 5000 per month or 25 per cent of total income.

Section 80E provides for deduction of interest on loan taken for pursuing higher education.

An additional deductions on home loan interest of Rs 50,000, over and above Rs 2 lakh allowed under Section 24, is allowed for first time home owners under Section 80EE is available if the value of the property purchased is less than Rs 50 lakhs and home loan is less than Rs 35 lakhs.

Section 80D provides for deduction for premium paid of up to Rs 25,000 for medical insurance.

PTI

LTC by Air Allowed for Non-Entitled Central Government Employees

LTC by Air Allowed for Non-Entitled Central Government Employees

All non-entitled central government employees have been allowed to travel by air while availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) with a condition that reimbursement in such cases shall be restricted to the fare of their entitled class of train or actual expense.

The Ministry of Personnel had recently eased norms for processing claims of LTC — which allows grant of leave and ticket reimbursement to eligible central government employees to travel to their home towns and other places.

“Government employees not entitled to travel by air may travel by any airline. However, reimbursement in such cases shall be restricted to the fare of their entitled class of train, transport or actual expense, whichever is less,” an order issued by the Ministry said.

The move comes after the government received a number of queries in this regard. In many cases, employees did not have railway station or good road network to their home towns and they had requested for permission to travel by air to save time, which was being denied, officials said.

Now, they will be allowed to travel by air and by any airline, they said. At present, those entitled to travel by air have to mandatorily travel by Air India.

A government servant may also apply for advance for himself or his family members 65 days before the proposed date of the outward journey and he or she would be required to produce the tickets within ten days of the withdrawal of advance, irrespective of the date of commencement of the journey, as per the new norms.

There are about 50 lakh central government employees.

All central government employees have been asked to share photos and interesting details of their holidays.
The DoPT has decided to put a limit of one month for verification of LTC claim after the LTC bill is submitted by government employee for settlement and final payment.

“Efforts should be made to reduce the duration of processing of LTC applications or claims at the earliest. The maximum time limit should be strictly adhered to and non- compliance of time limit should be adequately explained,” its directive said.

PTI