Employer query for LTA claim u/s 10(5)

Hi All,

I recently submitted LTA proofs to my employer for the travel costs I recently incurred alongwith my family. However my employer has raised a query that the employee should be on leave to claim LTA benefit. I had travelled over a weekend and hence hadn't applied for leave. Does this mean that I cannot claim LTA benefit just because I undertook travel over a weekend? Are all organizations going with this strict interpretation of the IT provision?

Also am I correct in assuming that I cannot claim this benefit directly while filing my return next year and necessarily needs to be provided by the employer?

Regards,

Manas Phadke