Proposal for seeking one time relaxation in respect of LTC 80 claims of Defence Civilian Employees

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

D(Civ-I)

Defence Civilian Employees’ Federations are pursuing the above issue in the meetings of the JCM Departmental Council wherein they have informed that many Defence civilian employees while availing LTC by Air to destinations like A&N Islands, J&K and NER, did not follow the instructions regarding purchase of these air tickets only from the booking counters/websites of Air India or from the Authorized Travel Agents [M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC]. A number of employees being first time travellers by air, did not observe these instructions due to ignorance. As a result, there administrative authorities have rejected their claims under LTC 80 submitted by them after performing the journey. To resolve this issue, the employees Federations have approached this Ministry and have requested to take up the matter to DoP&T with recommendation that:

a) Claims of Group C and B employees who are otherwise not entitled for Air Travel, in case they have availed LTC 80 by purchasing Air tickets from other than the authorized agents may be considered as a one time measure and a relaxation may be granted to pass their LTC claims as a special case;

b) For such employees who have purchased Air Tickets prior to 26 Sep 2014 from other than authorized agents to travel to A&N Islands, in their case, the LTC claim may be restricted to their entitled class in Steamer/Ship

2. The DoP&T have communicated vide their letter No.31011/6/2015-Estt.A IV dated 1st July addressed to JCM, National Council, that it would not be feasible to relax the LTC rules as a one-time measure. However, cases of individual hardship as recommended by Ministries/ Departments would be considered on a case to case basis.

3. Accordingly, it is proposed to take up the matter with the DoP&T for a decision on the LTC claims submitted by the defence civilian employees where the air tickets have not been purchased by these employees in accordance with the Government instructions. It is requested that the details of such cases may please be furnished in the enclosed proforma latest by 17 Aug 2015, along with views/comments, so that a consolidated proposal could be sent to the DoP&T for consideration of one time relaxation.

Sd/-

Gurdeep Singh)

Under Secretary (Civ)

(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)

(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)

(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)

CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222

MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in

Dated: 27.07.2015

You may be aware of that Shri S N Batwe, Patron/BPMS highlighted some of the following issues related to LTC, thereupon vide letter No. BPMS / DoP&T/ LTC / 50 (7/2/R), Dated 10.11.2014 this federation requested the DoP&T as well as MOD to consider the issues sympathetically :-

(i) Earlier { DoP&T F.No. 31011/412007-Estt.(A), dated 02.05.2008} the Group ‘B’ Central Government employees were entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport but now {vide DoP&T O.M. No. 31011/ 3/ 2014-Estt.(A-IV), dated 26.09.2014} only eligible Government servants may travel from their place of posting or nearest airport, hence necessary clarification was required so that the Group ‘B’ employees may be entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport;

(ii) Vide DoP&T F.No. 31011/4/2007-Estt (A), Dated 30.04.2012 the Air travel relaxation under LTC for NER was extended for 02 yrs from 01.05.2012, i.e., applicable upto 01.05.2014 and vide DoP&T F. No. 31011/2/2003-Estt.A-IV, dated 15.06.2012 the Air travel relaxation under LTC for J&K was extended for 02 yrs from 18.06.2012, i.e., applicable upto 18.06.2014 whereas this order grants the relaxation for air travel w.e.f. 26.09.2014. There were some of the employees who have travelled by Air under LTC in the intervening period, i.e., 01.05.2014 / 18.06.2014 and 26.09.2014 in anticipation of extension of such relaxation as per prevailing practice. To mitigate the financial hardships of such employees, the DoP&T O.M. No. 31011/ 3/ 2014-Estt.(A-IV), dated 26.09.2014 should have retrospective effect, i.e., 01.05.2014.

(iii) Some of the defence civilian employees while availing LTC by Air to destinations like A&N Islands, J&K and NER, did not follow the instructions regarding purchase of their air tickets only from the booking counters/websites of Air India or from the Authorized Travel Agents [M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC] and their LTC claims are not being allowed. Hence, one time relaxation is required to settle these cases.

Now, Min of Defence is considering the case (iii) and invited the details from concerned authorities. Hence, all are requested to forward their details through proper channel in given format only.

Thanking you.

Sincerely yours

sd/-

(MUKESH SINGH)

Secretary/BPMS & Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)