Now, LTC will cover visit to SAARC countries too

“Employees will be able to avail LTC to visit some Saarc countries. A proposal in this regard is being finalised by the government,” Union minister for state Jitendra Singh said.

LTC allows grant of leave and ticket reimbursement to eligible central government employees. The decision has been taken to promote people-to-people contact and boost tourism in the Saarc region, he said.

“The government has been taking many steps to promote trade and travel. This is one of such steps to further boost ties among Saarc nations,” said Mr Singh, minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) is a group comprising Bangl-adesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and India.

Officials in the personnel ministry said the LTC facility will not be available for visiting Pakistan and few other nations due to security concerns. The draft for new LTC rules is in initial stage and it will be finalised after inter-ministerial consultations, they said. The personnel ministry is also considering allowing government servants not entitled to travel by air to fly in economy class.