Availing LTC for Travel to Andaman and Nicobar Islands by Air
Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
(Audit Branch)
NABANNA
325, Sarat Chatterjee Road, Howrah-711102
No. 4670-F(P2) Dated 30/12/2025
MEMORANDUM
At present, State Government employees are entitled to avail the benefit of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands once in a block of ten years by undertaking journeys by ships/vessels operated by the Shipping Corporation of India, in terms of this Department’s Memo No. 9924-F dated 07/12/2005 read with Memo No. 4784-F(P2) dated 28/11/2024.
2. In the present circumstances, travel by ships/vessels to Shri Vijaya Puram (erstwhile Port Blair) has become inconvenient and impracticable owing to irregular shipping services. Consequently, most beneficiaries are opting for air travel. However, reimbursement of fare is presently restricted to the applicable shipping fare as fixed by the Directorate of Shipping Services, which varies from ship to ship, leading to ambiguity and administrative difficulties in determining admissible reimbursement.
3. After careful consideration of the matter, the Governor has been pleased to decide, in partial modification of this Department’s Memo No. 9924-F dated 07/12/2005, that State Government employees opting for Leave Travel Concession to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands shall be permitted to travel by air in economy class, subject to the following conditions:
(i) The journey shall be undertaken from the airport in India nearest to the employee’s headquarters/place of posting.
(ii) The travel shall be by a National Carrier or an Indian Private Airline operating a direct flight to Shri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).
(iii) Air tickets shall be booked directly from the airline’s booking counter or through the official website of the airline.
(iv) The amount admissible for reimbursement shall be limited to the actual air fare as indicated on the ticket.
4. Notwithstanding the above, employees shall continue to have the option to travel by ship/vessel in accordance with this Department’s Memo No. 9924-F dated 07/12/2005 read with Memo No. 4784-F(P2) dated 28/11/2024, should they so choose.
This order shall come into force with effect from the date of issue of this Memorandum.
Sd/- P. K. Mishra
Additional Chief Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal
No. 4670-F dated 30.12.2025, Source
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