Central government employees will now have to follow the new rules for leave travel concession or LTC. Some changes have been brought about in the eligibility for the concession by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training (DopT).
As per the new rules LTC Rules [Rule 1(3)&1(4)]:
Subject to the provisions of sub-rule 1(4), will apply to all those employees appointed to civil services and civilian government posts in the Defence Services in connection with the affairs of the Union. The concession will also apply to state government employees who are on deputation with the Central government. Those appointed on a contract basis will also be eligible.
Government employees who are not in whole-time employment will not be eligible for the concession. Those in casual and daily-rated employment are not eligible either. Members of the
Armed Forces, as well as local recruits in Indian missions abroad will not enjoy LTC. Employees of the Central government who enjoy other forms of travel concession (whether during leave or otherwise) will not be eligible for LTC either. Additionally, those paid from contingencies are also not eligible.
Railway employees may avail of the LTC only once in four years, as per CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988, but certain terms and conditions will apply.
As per the the LTC scheme, government employees are allowed to visit their home town or any place in India in a four-year block. Alternatively, they are given the option to avail the concession to travel to their hometown twice in two years, or travel to their hometown once in a one two-year block and visit any other place in the country in the second two-year block.