FAQ 42 — LTC

42 Are catering charges allowed while booking train tickets? Wherever employees opt for catering services while booking the tickets for the eligible trains for the purpose of LTC, the reimbursement of catering charges shall be allowed. [O.M. No. 31011/17/2023-Estt.A-IV dated 10.08.2023] 43 Are the element of Service Tax, Education Cess and other similar levies being charged by Government on travel by Air/Road /Rail/ Steamer on LTC reimbursable ? Yes. [M.F., O.M. F. No. 19023/1/2006-E. IV, dated 18.07.2007] 44 Is tour packages conducted by SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports), to Lakshadweep Islands on the ships owned and operated by Lakshadweep Administration allowed for the purpose of LTC journey ? Yes. The tour packages conducted by SPORTS to Lakshadweep Islands on the ships owned and operated by Lakshadweep Administration are allowed for the purpose of LTC journey subject to 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 employees indicating the fare components separately and certify that the journey was actually performed by the Government employee 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 employee for journey by sea or river steamer. [O.M. No. 31011/10/2017-Estt. (A-IV), dated the 11th October, 2018] 45 Is it compulsory to book tickets 21 days in advance for passing of LTC claims? Employees are encouraged to book flight tickets at least 21 days prior to the intended date of travel on LTC, to avail the most competitive fares and minimize burden on the exchequer. [O.M. No. 31011/12/2022-Estt. (A-IV), dated 29.08.2022] (F) JOURNEY BY AIR 46 What is the procedure for booking of air tickets of the All the three ATAs have been directed to allow the registration of those employees who do not have official email accounts, provided their

12 | P a g e employees who do not have any official accounts? administrative office sends their details depicting their names, employee code no., private email lDs and mobile numbers, etc. to the travel agents for the purpose of booking the air tickets in respect of LTC journey. [O.M. No. 31011/11/2023-Estt.A-IV dated 20.10.2023] 47 Authorized Travel Agencies (ATA) for booking tickets.

(i) 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited', BLCL (https://govemp.balmerlawrietravelapp.com),

(ii) 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours', 'ATT' (https://www.attitdc.in) and

(iii) Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., 'IRCTC' (https://www.air.irctc.co.in). [O.M. No. 31011/11/2023-Estt.A-IV dated 20.10.2023] NB: While booking the air-tickets through ATAs, employees must ensure that ticket

(s) is/are booked under the category of “LTC” only and not “Corporate”. 48 Is LTC-80 fare still applicable to Central Government employees? No. LTC 80 was a scheme offered by Air India for booking Air Tickets when Central Government Officers avail LTC. As Air India is no longer a PSU of Government of India, LTC 80 scheme offered by erstwhile Air India is no more in existence. [O.M. No. 31011/12/2022-Estt. (A-IV), dated 29.08.2022] 49 Whether Government employees have to pay cancellation charges levied by the airlines? Yes, as per the respective airline policy. However, all the three authorized travel agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) do not have to change any cancellation charges for utilization of their services. [O.M. No. 31011/17/2023-Estt.A-IV dated 10.08.2023 50 Whether Government employees can travel by Helicopter ? No. [OM No. 31011/4/2007-Estt.A-IV dated 14.05.2008]