Misuse of LTC – Air ticket at lowest price
In view of reported irregularities and misuse of LTC, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), vide O.M. No. 31011/3/2013-Estt.(A-IV) dated 12.07.2016, has issued draft guidelines to be followed while booking the air tickets for stakeholders consultation. The guidelines will be finalized after considering all the inputs received from the stakeholders.
This was stated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Dr. C. Gopalakrishnan in the Lok Sabha today.
Read : Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession
LTC scheme as such has undergone several twists and turns since its inception. Ingenious people have always found one or more methods of circumscribing the instructions. Time for simplification has arrived. Suggested simplification is abolition of LTC scheme in its present form – replace this by paying one month basic, not liable to tax, pay once in 2 years with stipulation that a minimum of 5 days leave has to be availed. No other conditions, etc. One rule book will be off the shelf and a lot of time consuming and virtually non-productive work can be avoided. Experience reveals that the expenditure on this scheme will not be more than the expenditure at present.
For TA also, only advance to be paid with no requirement for tendering adjustment bill. If tour is cancelled or curtailed, unspent money should be returned. In case of extension of tour, additional DA may be paid. No other paper work. This will reduce burdensome headaches in thousands of offices. DA at current rates cannot be source of profit considering the present hotel tariffs and taxi fares. Submission of a clear tour report should be enforced without let up.
Reimbursement of medical expenditure for outpatient treatment is also a great source of misuse. Government may either take out insurance or provide a fixed sum every month.
Hope employees understand the need for simplification and take up these in right earnest.