CVC declines information on LTC scam

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has declined to share information on the leave travel concession (LTC) scam involving certain government officials, saying it would hamper investigation in the case.
"Parting with any information on the same (LTC scam) would impede the process of apprehension of offenders. In view of this, the information is denied as per provision of Section 8 (1) (h) of the RTI Act," it said in reply to an RTI query.
The section bars disclosure of information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
The probity watchdog was asked to give details of complaints on the LTC scam and status of the investigation or action taken on them.

After getting the complaints of irregularities in claiming LTC by government employees, CVC had recommended a probe by CBI.
Meanwhile, CVC has written to Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Finance to make changes in LTC rules to check irregularities.

In his letter, Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar has asked the Cabinet Secretariat to instruct all secretaries and central government departments including PSUs to take suitable action against those found guilty in the LTC scam, official sources said.
CBI has prima facie found "criminality" by senior officials of Rajya Sabha Secretariat and some Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in claiming LTC.
The agency is carrying out a preliminary enquiry in the case and has questioned several travel agents which revealed an alleged nexus between officials of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and several PSUs, the sources said. The agency would be filing an FIR in the matter soon.

Lakhs of rupees are said to have been fraudulently claimed from the government through fake LTC claims, availed by government officials to get concessional tickets.
The incident had come to light after the vigilance department of Air India (AI) was alerted about the arrest of a man in March at Kolkata airport with 600 blank boarding passes of the airline.
Suspecting alleged criminal nexus between air travel agents and government employees, Air India got in touch with CVC which then asked CBI to look into the matter.