Offering some relief to central government employees who failed to claim their Leave Travel Concession (LTC) benefit by 31st May 2021, the government has given them another chance to file their allowance claim. The Department of Expenditure at Ministry of Finance has issued clarification in regard to its LTC Cash Voucher Scheme.
The Ministry in its notification directed central government departments and ministries to consider claims of LTC settlement beyond the due date.
Directing the central ministries and various departments to consider LTC claims of the central government employees beyond 31st May 2021, the Department of Expenditure at Ministry of Finance issued Office Memorandum and said, “Representations have been received in this Department to extend the date of settlement of bills/claims beyond 31.05.2021 in view of the situation existing due to the Covid-19 and difficulties being faced in settling the claims/bills. It has been decided that Ministries/Departments may consider settlement of those claims/purchases made on or before 31.03.2021 beyond the due date i.e. 31.05.2021.”
Note that in normal circumstances, LTC claim settlements are done by 31st March of every financial year. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic spread, central government extended the due date for settlement of LTC claim till 31st May 2021 issuing Office Memorandum in this regard on 7th May 2021.
Since, the second wave of Covid-19 was peaking in May, various central government employees couldn’t claim their LTC and hence their representative organisations demanded for further extension. With this fresh order, the central government would oblige those central government servants who couldn’t file their LTC claim even after extension due to spread of Covid-19 in their region.
To recall, the government had announced LTC special cash package scheme which is also known as LTC Voucher Scheme last year keeping Covid-19 in India leading to nationwide lockdown. As it was difficult for the central government employees to travel and avail LTC benefit, the center allowed CGS to receive cash via cash voucher scheme in which a central government servant had to submit bills/claims to their concerned department and get cash in return.
The special cash package is in lieu of pending LTC for the Block between 2018-21 and the invoices of the goods and services purchased as per the scheme may be in the name of the spouse or any family member who are eligible for LTC Fare. While availing of the offer, multiple bills are accepted.
As per the scheme, the purchase should have been done from the date of issue of the LTC Cash Voucher Scheme Order dated October 12, 2020, till March 31, 2021. The purchase should carry a GST of 12% and above and payment should have been made to digital mode. The reimbursement is based on the production of invoices with details of GST.
