The Centre has decided to allow lakhs of its employees to travel on premium trains like Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme. This move comes after recommendations from various offices and a directive from the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), which advocated for the inclusion of these premium train services under the LTC scheme.
Expansion of LTC Scheme to Include Premium Trains and Encourage Employee Travel
The DoPT issued an order on Tuesday stating that, after consulting with the Department of Expenditure, it has been decided to allow travel on Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express, and Humsafar Express trains under the LTC scheme. This new provision applies alongside the existing Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains, in line with the entitlements of government employees.
The Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme provides eligible central government employees with paid leave along with reimbursement for travel expenses. Under this scheme, employees can travel to any part of the country within a four-year block, with the government covering a portion of their travel costs. The primary aim of the LTC scheme is to encourage employees to take holidays and enjoy quality time with their families.
LTC Scheme Now Covers Air Travel to Special Regions
The Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme’s exemption is not restricted to train travel; it now also includes air travel. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has stated that employees traveling to the North-Eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands can benefit from this exemption until September 25, 2026. However, it’s important to note that the air travel exemption applies only to employees who are already entitled to air travel according to their eligibility
