LTC block years

For the purpose of LTC, block years are defined for two years starting January 1st of an even year (e.g. 2006) to December 31st of an odd year. Thus the current block year is 2006-07. If you do not avail LTC during this block year it generally lapses. However, it has been the practice of the Government to allow for a grace year, i.e., LTC for the block year can be availed (i.e. outward journey commenced) up to 31st December 2008.

Two blocks are combined together to define a four year block, e.g., the current block 2006-07 and the next block 2008-09 define a four year block. In this four year block one can take LTC for home town in one two year block and another LTC to anywhere in India (including home town) in the other two year block. The four year block also has a grace period of one year, i.e. the 2006-09 block must be utilized (i.e., outward journey commenced) before 31.12.2010.

Eligibility for new appointee : You must have one year service in the block to be eligible for LTC in the block, i.e. those appointed up to 31.12.06 are eligible for LTC in the block year 06-07 but those appointed after this day are not eligible.

All the declared dependents are eligible for LTC and the travel need not be taken up together. All return journeys must be completed within six months of outward journey.

If both the spouses are working for the Institute, they can claim LTC separately only if the declared dependents are different, i.e., if the wife has declared her parents to be dependent on her, she can claim for them separetely. The children can avail LTC only from one of the parents. If you take LTC for your spouse under your LTC entitlement, he/she cannot independently claim LTC for self.

Eligibility : The employee and all dependents are eligible to travel by air (Indian Airlines or any other private airlines) if the basic salary of the employee is above Rs. 18,400/- p.m. Those with basic salary between Rs. 16,400 and 18,400 can travel by highest class (AC-First) of any train (including Rajdhani Expresses) while those faculty with basic salary below Rs. 16,400/- can travel by AC- 2 tier/AC-Chair cars. Please note that no taxi or road mileage is admissible to reach the airport/railway station or for internal travel to destination except where road travel is done by buses run by Govt. organizations for which you will have to produce the tickets. LTC rules are strictly observed and it is necessary to attach xerox copies of your tickets along with your claim. (For journeys which involve water transport, detailed rules are available which may be checked with the administration).

LTC Advance : 90% of estimated cost of journey can be taken as an advance only where the journey is expected to be completed by all persons travelling are to complete the return journey within 90 days of taking the advance. In case the expected date of completion is more than 90 days, please draw advance only for outward journey.
When LTC advance is drawn and the tickets purchased for an amount lower than the advance drawn, the excess amount should be refunded to the Institute immediately. If this is not done, penal interest on the excess amount is charged which cannot be waived by authorities.

The employee must take formal leave for availing LTC for self. You cannot avail LTC using only the officially closed days. The leave can be even a casual leave, in which case it is convenient to enclose a xerox copy of your casual leave card along with the final LTC claim. Submit the final LTC claim as soon as the return journey is completed.