Click to play videoChennai: The children of Rajagopal, who works as a Deputy Manager at HTL, are at an age when television and the lure of new places are dictating their desire to travel. But with an income of Rs 3 lakh per annum, it’s a luxury that Rajagopal rarely indulges in.
Their time for a holiday comes twice in four years when his LTA or Leave Travel Assistance kicks in.
LTA is like a leap year bonus for me. But I’d like to take my wife and children to other cities more often. It will give a real pep to the family,” says Rajagopal
But his family isn't getting what it wants. Last year for instance, Rajgopal's trip to Kathmandu did not include them. The reason - a trip outside the country translates into a 30 per cent tax on your LTA refund, unlike travel within India, which is tax-free
There are countries like Singapore and Malaysia giving have big ads and incentives to travel. But even though we want to go, we can't,” says Rajagopal.
One of Rajagopal’s children adds, “I want to see different countries but my dad never takes us.”
In fact, it's been decades since the tax provision law was revised last. Times have changed and so have airfares.
“You know now it's cheaper to travel to Singapore and Malaysia than to maybe a Jammu or a Kashmir,” says Rajagopal.
Rajagopal is now hoping that this year's budget will let him use his LTA for a foreign trip.
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