Finance Ministry Instruction- Restriction on Foreign Travel by officers at the cost of the government, PSUs and Limit of 4 Visits per Calendar Year

No. 7(1)/E.Coord/2014
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
10 ^th November, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:  International travel- clarification regarding.

Guidelines/instructions on the subject of international travels have been issued by this Department from time to time. Latest instructions on the subject have  been  issued vide this  Department's O.M. of even number  dated  29.10.2014  [Paragraph  2.4  refers].  In order to clarify        the subject further, following   instructions on international travels are reiterated for compliance-

(i)           Proposals for participation in conferences/ seminars/ conventions/ workshops/ study tours/presentation of papers abroad at Government cost will not be entertained except those that are fully funded by sponsoring/inviting organizations which may be considered keeping in mind the public interest and Government business at home.

(ii)          No officer should undertake more than four (4) official visits abroad in a calendar year. For visits exceeding four by an officer, detailed justification would need to be furnished and such visit would be allowed only in exceptional cases depending on functional need.

(iii)         The size of the delegation and the duration of visit shall be kept to the absolute minimum. The Administrative Secretary  shall  make  sure that  in  every  case officers of appropriate  functional   level dealing with  the  subject  are sponsored I deputed instead of those at higher levels. Visits at the level of Secretaries should be planned only if their presence is essential and officers of  or  the   level  of Additional  Secretary/Joint  Secretary  cannot  substitute them for the purpose of enunciating Government policies/standpoint.

(iv)       Foreign travel of Government officers at the cost of PSUs/PSEs is discouraged, unless the journey is undertaken specifically in connection with the affairs of the PSU/PSE. Specific reasons for charging the expenditure to the PSU/PSE on account of foreign travel must be spelt out in the proposal. Wherever expenditure on the visit of Government officers i borne by PSU/PSE, the entitlements of the officers shall remain same as his entitlements under Government Rules/ regulations/norms/instructions.

2. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure).

(N. Radhakrishnan)

Director