The government has recently introduced relaxed rules for claiming Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for central government employees.
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The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an office memorandum on December 21, highlighting significant changes in rules related to the time limit for submitting LTC claims.
This move aims to streamline the reimbursement process for LTC (Leave Travel Concession) journeys. Ministries, departments, and subordinate or attached offices now have the authority, with the concurrence of financial advisers, to admit reimbursement claims for LTC journeys without the need to refer to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
The revised timelines for submission are as follows:
a) Up to six months if no advance is drawn. b) Up to three months if an advance is drawn, provided the entire advance amount is returned within three months. It is crucial to return the entire advance amount in one lump sum, and interest will be charged on the entire amount from the date of drawal to the date of recovery.
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These conditions apply when a Central Government employee faces challenges in submitting the claim within the prescribed time limit under rules 14 and 15 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988, due to circumstances beyond their control.
The new Office Memorandum supersedes the earlier DoPT’s OM No. 31011/05/2007-Estt.(A) dated 27.09.2007 and takes immediate effect, according to the ministry’s statement.
Furthermore, when central government employees book flight tickets through authorised travel agents such as Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, Ashok Travels & Tours, and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., these agents are required to display details of the flight with the cheapest fare and flights with fares 10% more than the cheapest fare in the desired time slot.
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This provision acts as evidence that the booked ticket adheres to the guidelines set by the Department of Personnel and Training, according to the Office Memorandum dated October 20, 2023.
