Govt takes tough stand on foreign trips for ministers, bureaucrats

New Delhi: Well ahead of the summer holidays, a note from the cabinet secretariat outlines for bureaucrats the rules that must be followed for foreign trips.  The note points out that 17-year-old rules for foreign travel need to be observed.  The move is part of an attempt to improve the government's image amid a series of financial scandals and to enforce austerity measures.  

The note stresses that foreign trips for ministers and babus need to be sanctioned by the Prime Minister and that all proposals must be cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs before being sent to the Prime Minister's office.

"Presentation of gifts and entertainment should be restricted to the minimum possible," the note says, stressing that presents given abroad must be well-chosen and reflect both "technologically advanced sectors" as well as traditional crafts.

Entertainment expenses must follow the guidelines and if ministers want to spend more, they have been asked to get clearance for this in advance with "detailed justification." Ministers are also warned that without receipts, their entertainment bills will not be reimbursed.

The note also clearly tells officials that all foreign trips must be followed by detailed reports to the Ministry of External Affairs documenting the meetings and discussions that were part of the junket.

Recently the president's trips got bad press for an expenditure of 205 crore rupees.Travel Guidelines