In an endeavor to provide a boost to tourist influx to Jammu and Kashmir, the central government has extended facility to travel by any airline to visit this Himalayan state on LTC (Leave Travel Concession) till September, 2018.
The LTC facility was earlier implemented till 2016 but was not extended since then. However, as per a recent government order, employees of the central government can now fly to J&K, Northeastern States and Andaman Islands under LTC allowance till September, 2018.
According to Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the central government employees under this scheme are allowed to travel in any airline to Jammu and Kashmir. “But the the journey should be undertaken in economy class,” states the order. To mention, a government employee gets almost to and fro journey cost reimbursed when he avails LTC.
The DoPT had in September 2014 relaxed the LTC rules to allow government servants to travel by air to Northeast region, Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the announcement saying it was a long pending demand that LTC for central employees extended for more time till tourism is revived in Kashmir.
Nasir Shah, chairman, Pilgrimage and Leisure Tour Operators Forum said almost 50 lakh central government employees can avail this scheme which can help to attract a sizeable number of tourists to the Valley.
Travel Agents Association of Kashmir in a statement said LTC is a welcome step which will help boost tourist flow to Kashmir. President TAAK Ashfaq Siddiq Dug said LTC facility for the central government employees to J&K was one of the demands of the association.
“Kashmir tourism has suffered immensely far the past several years due to recurrent disturbances. However, LTC facility to J&K state kept central government employees travelling to Kashmir which helped tourism sector,” said TAAK President.
Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance, Manzoor Pakhtoon said this umbrella tourism body had raised the LTC issue with state tourism minister recently and welcomed the announcement of its extension. “Tourism in Kashmir has been a victim of uncertain prevailing situation and negative media publicity. The LTC scheme is a good opportunity for us to attract more tourist footfalls to Kashmir,” Pakhtoon said.