Book air tickets – Leave Travel Concession
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AUDIT (CENTRAL)
“LEKHA PARIKSHA BHAVAN”, 361, ANNA SALAI,
TEYNAMPET, CHENNAI – 600 018
DGA(C)/CLAIMS II/IV/26-02/2024-25/13
09.01.2025
CIRCULAR No -20
Sub: Booking of Air tickets under LTC Scheme prior to 21 days – Reg.
Ref: 1. DoPT OM. No. 31011/12/2022-Estt(A-IV), dt. 29.08.2022
Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme is a concessional travel facility for the Government employees to visit their Hometown or to visit any place in India during a block of four years. In terms of provisions of the Scheme, the Government employees have the option either to avail Hometown LTC twice in a block of two years each or to visit home town once in a period of two years and to visit any place in India in another block of two years. The current block of four years is 2022-25 with two years block of 2022-2023 and 2024-2025.
Instructions from DOPT regarding booking of Air tickets were issued in vide OM No. 31011/12/2022-Estt(A-IV), dt. 29.08.2022(the copy of the circular is enclosed) in which following were emphasized:
In all cases of air travel in respect of LTC, air tickets shall be purchased from the three Authorised Travel Agents(ATAs) namely:
- M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL)
- M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT)
- Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC)
- Government employees are to choose flight having the Best Available Fare on their entitled travel class which is the Cheapest Fare available, preferably for non-stop flight in a given slot, at the time of booking. They are to retain the print- out of the concerned webpage of the ATAs having flight and fare details for the purpose of the settlement of the LTC claim.
- Employees are encouraged to book air tickets at least 21 days prior to the intended date of travel on LTC, to avail the most competitive fares and minimise burden to the exchequer.
It is observed that in many cases the instructions regarding booking of air tickets well in advance were not being followed. Hence, it is hereby instructed to furnish valid reasons / justifications for such non-compliance. It is also noted that the officials are submitting LTC intimations / applications at a very short period before the date of Outward Journey. As minimum time is required to process the applications it is advised to submit the LIC Advance and EL Encashment on LTC application at least 10 days prior to the date of onward journey.
This issues with the approval of Director /Administration dated 09-01-2025
Digitally signed by
Ramesh MS
Date: 09-01-2025 12:28:24
SENIOR AUDIT OFFICER/CLAIMS
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