What is the LTC Scheme? Top Trains Now Available for Central Govt Employees to Travel Under It

The Central government has allowed its employees to use Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar express trains under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme. This decision aims to offer faster and more convenient travel options for visiting their hometowns or holidaying at tourist spots during their leave.

This new move follows multiple petitions from various offices and individuals to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) concerning the admission of different premium trains under the LTC.

Free Travel for Central Government Employees

After consulting with the Department of Expenditure, the department has decided that, in addition to the existing Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains, government employees can now travel on Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express, and Humsafar Express under LTC, according to a DoPT order issued on Tuesday.

What is LTC?

LTC is a travel benefit for government employees that lets them travel anywhere in India once every four years. In addition to paid leave, qualifying Central government employees get reimbursed for their to-and-fro travel expenses under LTC.

As per the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, workers can choose to take advantage of Hometown LTC twice in a two-year period, visit their hometown once every two years, and travel anywhere in India for another two years.

Who are Eligible to Apply for LTC?

Not all employees are eligible to avail the facility of LTC. The employees coming under the following category are able to apply for LTC reimbursement:

• Anyone appointed to civil service positions, including civilian government employees working in the Union's defense services.
• Those employees who are assigned by the Central Government to a State Government.
• Professionals hired under a contractual agreement
• Employees who return to the workforce after retiring.

LTC reimbursement doesn't cover extra costs or local travel expenses. It will only cover the travel expenses for a direct point-to-point journey on a single ticket using the shortest route.

ALSO READ: 8th Pay Commission News: What will be the Expected Salary of Central Govt. Employees?

ALSO READ: SpaDeX Mission Successful: India Joins the Group of Elite Nations of Space Technology