State ministers, officers need Central nod for foreign trips

State ministers and officers going abroad without the Centre’s clearance has become a serious point of contention.

Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav, on the direction of the Centre, has issued a circular mandating ministers and officers to obtain financial clearances from the Union finance ministry and Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), before they set out on foreign trips.

The circular, dated April 18, states that the Ministry of External Affairs has informed the state government that the staff of the Indian embassies are finding it extremely difficult to reimburse hotel bills, vehicle rentals and mobile services of ministers and officers. This is because, no prior permission is sought from the ministries concerned. This has not only been putting the Indian embassies in an embarrassing situation, it has also been denting the country’s reputation.

Hence, ministers of state governments and officers have been directed to obtain formal clearances, deputation orders and requisite DEA reference number, before visiting abroad.