Leave Travel Concession Policies have always baffled every serving personnel. Even after decades of services, most are confused about what actually is the entitlement. The most helpful content has been the Santa Banta Whatsapp Message circulated few years back. In the Handbook on Travelling Allowances (2023), LTC Rules 177(A), 177(B), and 177(C) pertain to specific leave travel concessions available to Indian Army officers and their families. Here’s a breakdown of these rules:
LTC Rule 177(A): Home Town LTC
- Purpose: This concession allows officers to travel to their recorded home town as per their service documents.
- Eligibility:
- Officers and their eligible family members can claim this LTC.
- The journey must be performed during annual leave or a specified block year.
- Conditions:
- Travel must be between the duty station and the officer’s home town.
- Mode of travel is based on entitlement (rail, road, or air) according to rank and pay level.
- Frequency: Officers may avail this once every block period or as specified in the rules.
LTC Rule 177(B): Anywhere in India LTC
- Purpose: This rule enables officers to travel to any destination within India.
- Eligibility:
- Officers and their eligible family members can avail this LTC.
- Typically allowed once in a specified period, often in place of Home Town LTC.
- Conditions:
- Travel should be completed during authorized leave.
- The claim must comply with entitlements for travel mode and accommodation class.
- Special Provisions:
- This rule provides flexibility for officers and families to explore destinations beyond their home town.
LTC Rule 177(C): Special Concessions for Field/Concessional Areas
- Purpose: Officers posted in field areas, operational zones, or concessional areas are granted additional travel concessions.
- Eligibility:
- Applicable to officers stationed in areas where regular LTC entitlements are limited due to the posting.
- Often includes additional warrants or special leave provisions for travel.
- Special Features:
- Officers and their families may be allowed extra travel entitlements.
- Specific guidelines apply depending on the nature and location of the posting.
Summary of Usage:
- 177(A): Primarily for travel to the officer’s home town.
- 177(B): Offers broader options for travel within India.
- 177(C): Tailored for officers in field or concessional postings with enhanced benefits.
Each rule includes specific documentation requirements, timelines for claims, and adherence to modes of travel as per government norms. Let me know if you need additional details or examples of how these are applied!
There are some other types of LTCs also available:-
177(D): LTC during Study Leave
- Officers on study leave can avail LTC for themselves from the place of study leave to their home town or any place in India.
- Family members may also be eligible for LTC if they stay with the officer at the study leave station or from their place of residence, with claims restricted to the fare entitlement from the last duty station.
LTC for Children in Hostels
- Children of officers who are studying in hostels are permitted to visit their family under LTC as per specified orders.
LTC for Special Regions
- Officers are allowed to visit regions like the North-East Region (NER), Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) in lieu of Home Town LTC or All India LTC.
- Travel may be by air, as per entitlement, through specific carriers.
- The scheme allows flexible use of entitlements for these remote areas.
LTC for Sick Leave
- Officers granted leave on medical certificates can use LTC to travel to any place in India recommended by the medical board, without affecting their eligibility for other LTCs.
LTC for Newly Married Officers
- In cases where an officer marries during a year after already availing LTC, the spouse is entitled to LTC for travel to the same leave station visited by the officer earlier in the year.
Encashment of Leave with LTC
- Officers can encash up to 10 days of annual leave when availing LTC, subject to a lifetime limit of 60 days. This encashment is available even if only the officer’s family avails the LTC.
Other Specific Cases:
- Dependent Parents:
- Parents of officers may avail Home Town LTC under specific rules but are not covered under All India LTC.
- Field Area Allowance:
- Officers posted in operational areas may get additional LTC benefits to meet family at a selected place of residence or home town.
Let me know if you want a more detailed explanation of any specific LTC provision!