The Gujarat Government has recently made an important announcement for its state government employees regarding their Leave Travel Concession (LTC). This update is in response to the requests made by state employees to include Vande Bharat trains in their LTC benefits. Here’s what you need to know about this new update.
What is Leave Travel Concession (LTC)?
Leave Travel Concession (LTC) is a special benefit provided to government employees in India. It allows them to travel with their families to different places across the country at a concessional rate. This benefit is typically available every four years, with a travel distance limit of 6,000 kilometers. LTC is designed to help government employees explore the country while enjoying some time off from work.
New Update: Vande Bharat Trains Included
The Gujarat Government has now decided to include Vande Bharat trains in the LTC scheme. This means that state government employees can now travel on these modern trains under their LTC benefits. The decision was made after many employees requested the inclusion of Vande Bharat trains, and the government aims to provide them with more comfortable and modern travel options.
Effective Period and Beneficiaries
The inclusion of Vande Bharat train travel is applicable from the LTC block of 2020-2023. This update will benefit around five lakh state government employees in Gujarat, giving them a new and exciting way to travel during their leave periods.
Benefits of Traveling on Vande Bharat Trains
Vande Bharat trains are known for their modern facilities and state-of-the-art amenities. They offer passengers a comfortable journey with features like better seating, clean and hygienic interiors, and advanced technology. Additionally, these trains are known for their speed and efficiency, reducing travel time significantly. For state government employees, this means that their travel experience under the LTC scheme will now be more enjoyable and efficient.
Jamshedpur to Patna in Just 6 Hours: Vande Bharat Express Launches on August 15
Who is Eligible for LTC?
LTC is available to all government employees who are appointed to civil services and posts. This includes civilian government servants in the Defence Services, employees on deputation with the Central Government, those appointed on a contract basis, and individuals who have been re-employed after retirement. However, there are some exclusions. For example, government servants who are not in whole-time employment, casual and daily-rated employees, persons paid from contingencies, railway servants, members of the Armed Forces, local recruits in Indian Missions abroad, and persons eligible for any other form of travel concession are not eligible for LTC.
Travel Options Under LTC
Government employees have two main travel options under LTC:
– Home Town LTC: Employees can use this option to travel to their hometown twice in a block of four years or once in a block of two years.
– Anywhere in India LTC: Employees can travel to any place in India once in a block of four years.
These travel options are also available to eligible family members, who can travel in different groups at different times during the block period.
Current Block Period
The current block period for LTC is 2022-2025, with sub-blocks of 2022-2023 and 2024-2025. During this time, government employees can take advantage of the LTC scheme and enjoy concessional travel.
This new update to include Vande Bharat trains in the LTC scheme is a positive step by the Gujarat Government to enhance the welfare of its employees. With modern and efficient travel options now available, state government employees can look forward to more comfortable and enjoyable journeys with their families during their leave periods.
