Ban on LTC may be lifted in Budget

if all goes well, 32 lakh central government employees may soon get a new year bonanza. the tourism ministry has urged the department of personnel and ministry of finance to withdraw the ban on leave travel concession to all central employees in a proposal last month.


“we had received this proposal from the department of tourism and after consultation, we have sent the required documents to the ministry of finance. now it is for them to decide and revoke the ltc ban for central government staff,� said an official in the department of personnel. “in the forthcoming budget, we expect finance minister yashwant sinha to lift the ban on ltc,�� said a senior official in the ministry of finance. “if the ministry of finance agrees to our proposal for restoration of ltc, it will give a major boost to domestic tourism, which has been badly hit after the recent terrorist attacks. revoking the ban would help kickstart the tourism sector and benefit ancillary sectors like the hotel and hospitality industry nationwide,� said a tourism ministry official. ltc, which government employees were availing of once in two years, was banned in last year’s budget for a period of two years. nearly 32 lakh employees, including staff of indian railways and p&t, were availing of the facility.the finance ministry has estimated savings of rs 98 crore per annum. these savings are on account of exemptions under the ltc facility. “we have been asking the government to revoke ltc. it is good that the tourism dept has taken up our cause,� said satbir singh, secretary, all india central government employees union.