Pvt airlines allowed in LTC rules

NEW DELHI, Dec 1:

Central Government officials have been permitted to travel to Jammu and Kashmir by private airlines as per the new Leave Travel Concession (LTC) rules.
Earlier, they were allowed to travel by Air India only.
“Officers entitled to travel by air may also travel by private airlines from their headquarters. Officers not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by private airlines between Delhi or Amritsar and any place in J-K,” an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.
Air travel by private airlines is to be performed in Economy Class only, it said.
The DoPT has relaxed Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 to allow travel by officials through private airlines to visit J-K.
Air tickets are to be purchased directly from the airlines (booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilising the service of authorised travel agents viz M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC, the order said, adding that booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.
The order, which was issued on Friday, will remain in force for a period of one year. (PTI)