F. No, 31011/1/2020-Estt. A.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment (A-IV) Desk

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 23rd November, 2021

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Reimbursement of cancellation/reschedule charges for air/train tickets booked for the purpose of LTC and repayment of LTC advance due to Covid-19 pandemic – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.Ms of even number dated 07.01.2021 (copy enclosed) and 05.02.2021 (copy enclosed) on the above mentioned subject.

2. In Para 3(i) of the aforementioned O.M. dated 07.01.2021, it was provided as under:

“Ministries/ Departments are delegated the power to reimburse the cancellation/ reschedule charges of air/ train tickets, as a one-time relaxation, to such Government servants who had booked advance air/ train tickets for the purpose of LTC journey during the Lockdown period from 24t March, 2020 to 31st May, 2020 but were not able to perform the journey due to cancellation/rescheduling of flights/ trains during that period. Such Government servants seeking reimbursement of cancellation/reschedule charges shall be required to produce the receipt of cancellation/ re-schedule charges incurred by them.”

3. The above mentioned matter has been reviewed in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and it has been decided to allow the relaxation, as provided in para 3(i) of OM dated 07.01.2021, wef. 21.03.2020 to 31.05.2020 in lieu of 24.03.2020 to 31.05.2020, for reimbursement of cancellation/rescheduling charges of air/train tickets for LTC journeys.

4. Further, para 3(ii) of the aforementioned OM dated 07.01.2021 is as under, which were further clarified vide OM of even number dated 05.02.2021.

“In cases where the airlines have kept the refund amount in ‘Credit Shell’, Ministries/Departments may extend the period of 3 repayment of LTC advance taken by the Government servant for LTC journey scheduled during the lockdown period (March-May, 2020), till 28.02.2021 or till such time the amount in ‘Credit Shell’ is utilised by the Government servant to perform LTC journey, whichever is earlier. Also, penal interest may not be charged on LTC advance amount taken by the Government servant on LTC journey scheduled during the lockdown period.”

5. In this regard, it has been decided to extend the period of repayment of LTC advance taken by such Government servants till 30.11.2021, instead of 28.02.2021 or till such time the amount placed in ‘credit shell’ is utilised by the Government servant to perform LTC journey, whichever is earlier.

6. Hindi version will follow.

Encl: As above

(Satish Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

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Reimbursement of cancellation/reschedule charges for air/train tickets booked for the purpose of LTC

No.31011/1/2020-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-01
Dated: February 5, 2021

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Reimbursement of cancellation/ reschedule charges for air/ train tickets booked for the purpose of LTC and relaxation of LTC advance due to COVID-19 pandemic – clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to para 3(i1) of DoPT’s O.M. of even no. dated 7 January 2021 on the subject noted above vide which it was communicated that:

In cases where the airlines have kept the refund amount in ‘Credit Shell’, Ministries / Departments may extend the period of repayment of LTC advance taken by the Government servant for LTC journey scheduled during the lockdown period (March-May,2020), till 28.02.2021 or till such time the amount in ‘Credit Shell’ is utilized by the Government servant to perform LTC journey, whichever is earlier.

2. In this regard, it is clarified that the employees who were eligible to perform LTC journey in 2020 as per LTC Rules, but could not perform the LTC journey during the lockdown period (March-May, 2020) and whose refund amount has been kept in ‘Credit Shell’ by the airlines, are allowed to perform their LTC journey till 28.02.2021, and such LTC shall be counted against the block year applied for. This shall also apply in cases of fresh recruits who are entitled to LTC every year for the initial block of eight years.

Reimbursement of cancellation/ reschedule charges for air/ train tickets booked for the purpose of LTC and relaxation of LTC advance due to COVID-19 pandemic – relaxation

3. Hindi Version will follow.

sd/-
(Satish Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Click to view the Dopt Order in PDF

Source: DoPT

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Latest DoPT Orders 2021

No. 31011/ 1/2020-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: 7 January, 2021

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Reimbursement of cancellation/ reschedule charges for air/ train tickets booked for the purpose of LTC and relaxation of LTC advance due to COVID-19 pandemic – relaxation regarding.

During the months of March – May, 2020, a Nation-wide Lockdown was implemented across the country in view of the prevailing Covid-19 epidemic. During this period, all domestic flights within India were cancelled but certain airlines have charged the cancellation charges against the pre-booked air tickets. In such a situation, many Government employees who had booked LTC tickets in advance for that period are facing financial difficulties in view of the high cancellation amount charged by the airlines. In this regard, requests are being received in this Department for grant of one-time relaxation for reimbursement of the cancellation charges.

2. It has also been observed that many airlines have not refunded the ticket amount for the air tickets booked in advance for the LTC journey scheduled during the Iockdown period. These airlines have kept the booking amount with them in the form of ‘credit shell’ and have given the option to the passengers to travel within a year. This is causing undue hardships to the Government employees as the LTC advance along with penal interest, is required to be returned if the journey is not undertaken. Requests have been received in this regard for extension of time-limit for settlement of LTC advance and exemption of penal interest till such date the journey is performed by them.

FAQ on LTC Cash Voucher Scheme – LTC Fare for Central Government Employees during the Block 2018-21

3. The matter has been considered in this Department, in consultation with Department of Expenditure, and the following decisions are conveyed :-

• Ministries/ Departments are delegated the power to reimburse the cancellation/ reschedule charges of air/train tickets, as a one-time relaxation, to such Government servants who had booked advance air/train tickets for the purpose of LTC journey during the Lockdown period from 24th March, 2020 to 31st May, 2020 but were not able to perform the journey due to cancellation/ rescheduling of flights / trains during that period. Such government servants seeking reimbursement of cancellation/ reschedule charges shall be required to produce the receipt of cancellation/ re-schedule charges incurred by them.
• In cases where the airlines have kept the refund amount in ‘Credit Shell’, Ministries / Departments may extend the period of repayment of LTC advance taken by the Government servant for LTC journey scheduled during the lockdown period(March-May, 2020), till 28.02.2021 or till such time the amount in ‘Credit Shell’ is utilised by the Government servant to perform LTC journey, whichever is earlier. Also, penal interest may not be charged on LTC advance amount taken by the Government servant on LTC journey scheduled during the lockdown period.
• In cases where the Government servants have drawn LTC advance as well as leave encashment so as to perform the LTC journey, but could not perform journey during the lockdown period and now intend to opt for Special Cash Package Scheme in lieu of LTC in accordance with Department of Expenditure’s OM No. 12(2) / 2020-E.II(A) dated 12.10.2020, they are also allowed to avail the facility of the Scheme. The LTC advance and leave encashment which have remained unsettled due to non-performance of the journey, may be adjusted as per the provisions of the Special Cash Package Scheme.

4. Hindi Version will follow.

(Satish Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: DoPT

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Relaxing norms, the government today allowed central government employees to take advance four months ahead of commencing journey under Leave Travel Concession (LTC) rules.

A government employee gets reimbursement of tickets for to and fro journey, in addition to 10 days leave encashment, when he avails LTC.

The existing rules allow an employee to draw advance for LTC journey for himself and his family members 65 days before the proposed date of the outward journey.

Since, the Ministry of Railways has decided to increase the advance reservation period for booking accommodation in trains from 60 to 120 days (excluding the date of journey) with effect from April 1 2015, the time-limit for drawable of LTC advance by the government servants may be increased from 65 days (i.e. two months and 5 days) to 125 days (i.e. four months and five days) in case of journey by train, the Office Memorandum F.No.31011/8/2015-Estt (A.IV) issued today by DoPT said.

The cases where the LTC journey is proposed to be undertaken by other modes of transport viz air, sea or road, the time-limit for drawing LTC advance shall remain 65 days only, it said.

In all the cases, where an advance is drawn for the purpose of availing LTC, it will be mandatory for the government servant to produce the outward journey tickets to the competent authority within ten days of drawable of advance in order to verify that he has actually utilised the amount to purchase the tickets, the order said.

There are about 50 lakh central government employees at present.

In another order, employees have been asked to compulsorily avail catering facilities provided by the Railways on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains and the cost is included in the ticket.

The move comes after several references were received seeking clarification regarding the admissibility of catering charges charged by the Railways in respect of the rail journey performed by Rajdhani or Shatabdi on LTC.

The matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and it is clarified that if the government servant has to compulsorily avail the catering facility and the cost is included in the rail fare for Rajdhani, Shatabdi or Duronto trains, the fare charged shall be reimbursable in full as per the entitlement or eligibility of the government servant, the order added.

Inputs via PTI

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AN/IA/l004/Circular

CIRCULAR

To,

The CDA RTC
The IFA (CC)
All Sub-offices
All Sections of Main Office

Sub: – Enhancement of powers to Assistant Accounts Officer (Group -B) in DAD

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Abolishing 12 Interest free advances recommended by 7th CPC

The 7th Pay Commission has , in a casual manner, recommended that all interest free advances to be abolished. The impact of this recommendation is yet un noticed by the central government employees

There are 12 Interest free advances are listed in that table provided in the 7th CPC Report. When hearing the news that 7th cpc has recommended to abolish interest free advances , every body thought that some advances like festival advances only will be abolished. But if you read the names of advances recommended for abolishment, it will give you little bit shock.

In general opinion, the amount that is paid for government servants in some occasions and for specific purposes and the same will be recovered through monthly instalments are considered advances.

But the advance paid for Medical treatment and LTC are not supposed to be included this list, since it is reimbursable in nature and will not be recovered by Government.

The amount paid as advances to the Medical treatment and LTC are not recoverable by government if there is no any default in the claim. since the expenses incurred should be reimbursed to the Govt servants according to their entitlements, the amount paid in advance can be adjusted against the claim of reimbursement is sanctioned. So there is no need of repaying the advance to government in respect of Medical and LTC advances.These should not be included in the list of interest free advances.

Eventually abolishing these advances will make the central government employees not to avail LTC facility and medical treatment in Private hospital, since the amount of 90 % of the expenses paid in advance will not be available for them any more due to this recommendation. By availing this advances they were able to manage the Medical Expenses and by availing this advance only they were able to bye Air or Train Tickets to go on LTC.

Without these advances, the Group C and B employees cannot imagine availing of LTC to visit some places in India with their family.

The Central Government should not accept the proposal of Abolishing these advances.

Source: GServants.com

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Period for applying LTC advance

A Government servant can draw the Leave Travel Concession advance 65 days before the proposed date of outward journey.

Indian Railways has fixed the advance reservation period as 120 days excluding the date of journey w.e.f. 01.04.2015 for all long distance mail/express trains as well as Shatabdi Express trains.

The issue of any change in instructions relating to drawal of advance for LTC has to be decided keeping in view all factors including changes made by the Railways, as well as financial implications.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Kiranmay Nanda in the Rajya Sabha today.

PIB News

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