LTC Rule Change: Central government employees can avail LTC to buy flight tickets to visit these areas; eligibility, new rules

The Centre has recently expanded the scheme that allows central government employees to visit Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the North East region on a two-year LTC concession. Which central government employees will be eligible for this LTC scheme? When will they have to visit these selected regions and apply for LTC? Can LTC be claimed on air tickets for travelling to these selected places? All central government employees must be aware of the recent changes in the LTC rules.

Who is eligible to claim LTC for visiting North East region, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar and Ladakh?

All eligible government employees can avail LTC to visit any place in North East region, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar and Ladakh in exchange for conversion of LTC from their hometown for a block period of four years.

In an office memorandum dated September 17, 2024, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training said: The Government servant whose hometown is situated in North Eastern Region, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar and Ladakh shall also be allowed conversion of hometown LTC to avail this scheme for visiting any place in any of the three regions out of the four regions mentioned above except the region in which his hometown is situated.

“The new recruits are also allowed conversion of one out of three LTCs from their hometown in a block of four years, applicable to them for visiting NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh. Further, they are allowed one additional conversion of LTC from their hometown for visiting UT of J&K/UT of Ladakh in a block of four years,” he added.

When can central government employees visit these selected areas under the LTC scheme?

According to the memorandum, “The scheme allowing government officials to travel by air to North Eastern Region (NER), Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N) is hereby extended for a further period of two years from 26 September 2024 to 25 September 2026.”

Who is not eligible to claim LTC for visiting North East region, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar and Ladakh?

The DoPT said, “Government servants, whose home city and headquarters/place of posting are the same, cannot undergo conversion of any LTC from their home city as they are not eligible for LTC facility from their home city.”

Can central government employees claim LTC for flight tickets?

“Government servants who are entitled to travel by air will be allowed to avail this concession from their offices in the class of aircraft to which they are entitled with any airline, as per the terms and conditions,” the OM said. Government servants who are not entitled to travel by air will be allowed to travel in economy class with any airline, as per the terms and conditions mentioned in the DoPT OM dated August 29, 2022, in the following sectors:

i) Between Kolkata/Guwahati and anywhere in the North East region.
ii) Between Kolkata/Chennai/Visakhapatnam and Port Blair.
iii) Between Delhi/Amritsar and any place in J&K/Ladakh.
iv) Travel of such non-entitled employees from their headquarters to Kolkata/Guwahati/Chennai/Visakhapatnam/Delhi/Amritsar will be as per their entitlement.

Air travel of Government employees to NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N as mentioned above is permitted, whether they avail concession on any LTC in India or in lieu of their hometown LTC, as permitted.

LTC Rules: Know Who Can Claim

Government servants who are not eligible to travel by air can also travel by air in economy class with 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 listed in DoPT OM No. 31011/12/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 29th August, 2022.

“The instructions regarding booking of air tickets through authorised travel agents, best available fares, time slots, booking time, advances, refunds etc. mentioned in DoPT OM No. 31011/12/2022- Estt. A-IV dated 29.08.2022 read with DoPT OM No. 31011/11/2023 – Pers. Policy A-IV dated 20.10.2023 shall also be applicable for this Special Dispensation Scheme,” it said.

“All ministries and departments are advised to inform all their employees that any misuse of LTC will be considered serious and employees will be responsible for taking appropriate action as per norms,” ​​the DoPT said.