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HomeIndiaGovernanceMinistry of external affairs mulls extending leave travel privilege to Central Asia

Ministry of external affairs mulls extending leave travel privilege to Central Asia

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Earlier this year, the Centre announced that it had shelved a 2015 plan to include SAARC countries in the travel scheme for government employees.

New Delhi: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has proposed expanding the leave travel concession (LTC) privilege for government employees to the five countries of Central Asia. If effected, this will be the first time LTC will be valid for travel to a foreign country.

The proposal holds the potential to provide a huge boost to travel and tourism in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The LTC privilege is being seen as the perfect instrument to expand India’s soft power in the region.

The MEA proposal takes a leaf out of China’s tourism policy — Chinese tourists can only travel to countries approved by their government, and Central Asia has been a coveted target for some time.

India has been trying to improve relations with Central Asia for some time. With strong historical and cultural ties that bind India with the region, the government believes that the LTC route is a good way to revamp the people-to-people bond.

In a letter dated 17 July, the department of personnel and Training (DoPT) sought comments on the MEA proposal from the ministries of civil aviation, home affairs, tourism as well as the department of expenditure.Under the scheme, eligible government employees get leave and ticket reimbursement.

“Once LTC is allowed, obviously travel to these countries will go up,” a government official said, adding, “Anyway, Indian culture — films, music — is very popular in these countries.”

Beyond historical and cultural ties, Central Asia’s strategic importance has increased for India by the year. Its incredible energy resources, trade opportunities, proximity to Russia and China in the north as well as Afghanistan make it an ideal region to expand India’s footprint.

ThePrint contacted the MEA for a comment, but there was no response until the time of publishing.

Curiously, earlier this year, the government had shelved a 2015 proposal to allow LTC for visits to the other seven SAARC countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

“A proposal of LTC facility for SAARC countries with a purpose to enhance people-to-people contact and boost relations in the SAARC region was examined by the government and after thorough examination of all aspects involved, the proposal was found not feasible and a decision was taken to not take it forward,” union minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh had said in a written reply to the Lok sabha.

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Can you do one simple thing, extend any facilities to friends and foes, be it in the govt.office, Parliament and Assembly, add all these as income and deduct income tax. Can you do that ? if not withdraw all assistance and perks and give nett salary as for others.

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