Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: The Government today issued a strict directive to PWD (R&B) officers on foreign travel for private purposes.
In a circular, the department emphasized that Government approval must be obtained in advance for such visits.
The circular read, “The procedure for granting permission in favour of Government employees for private visits to foreign countries. It has been provided that the station permission for proceeding outside the country on private affairs shall be granted by the Administrative Department in the same manner as leave outside the country. Further, in terms of Circular No. A/46(2017)-I-862 dated 21-02-2019 issued by the Finance Department, inter-alia, clarified that prior permission of the competent authority for leaving the station shall be mandatory when a Government employee intends to visit a foreign country on private affairs.”
Furthermore, it has however observed that the officer(s)/official(s) of subordinate officers of this department proceed on foreign visits without obtaining such prior permission of the competent authority, in violation of rules and a number of cases are recommended by the Head of Departments for post-facto sanction, thereby defeating the purpose instructions notified on the subject by the Government.
“It is accordingly impressed upon all the officers to strictly adhere to the instructions issued on the subject and not to undertake any foreign visit for private affairs without prior approval of the Administrative Department. With a view to ensuring disposal of foreign visit, a checklist has been devised forming Annexure, as such all the Head of Departments of PWD (R&B) are therefore enjoined upon to submit proper checklist, at least three weeks prior to the intend date of departure, to ensure consideration of such requests by the competent authority,” the circular read.
Follow our WhatsApp channel