Don't be lax, follow LTC rules: Govt to depts

All central government departments have been asked to do due diligence while processing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) claims of employees as part of fresh set of guidelines issued by the Centre.

"As per LTC rules, a government servant may travel only by vehicles operated by central or state government or local bodies or by any corporation in the public sector owned or controlled by central or state government. Journey on LTC by taxi, auto-rickshaw etc, are permissible only between places not connected by rail," the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in an order.

The move comes after the DoPT received a large number of recommendations for relaxation of some or the other provision of the LTC rules in individual cases.

It is seen that, in most cases the situation arises as due care had not been exercised by the government servant or the administrative authority in claiming LTC or in examination, the order issued to secretaries of all departments said.

"In this connection it may please be noted that the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with the rules is that of the government servant. The of-repeated plea of ignorance of rules cannot be a valid ground for relaxation of rules.

"At the same time it has also been noticed that the administrative authorities have also shown laxity and due diligence on their part could have prevented such situations from arising," the DoPT said.

Government servants travelling by air under LTC are required to book their tickets either directly from the airline or through the approved agencies viz: Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd, Ashok Tours & Travels Ltd or IRCTC. "Booking through any other agency is not permissible," it said.

The Centre has been taking many steps to check instances of any irregularity in LTC claims. CBI is also probing fake travel bills scam (also known as LTC scam) allegedly involving certain government employees.

There are about 48 lakh central government employees.