The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked ministers to give a notice 10 days prior to undertaking a foreign tour and submit an outcome report on their return.
A circular issued by the Cabinet Secretariat says the proposals seeking approval of the Prime Minister for official visits abroad should be forwarded 10 days in advance as against the earlier stipulation of five days.
Unlike the earlier practice of informing the PMO about the visit, the secretariat said the proposal seeking approval of the PM should incorporate details of the tasks to be accomplished during such visits.
While seeking approval for a foreign visit, the ministers will have to inform the PMO on the outcome of earlier foreign visits and how the country gained from it.
A government source said the direction was aimed to ending the culture of junkets by ministers to foreign countries.
The ministers would also be required to submit a report on what they achieved by the foreign visit after their return.
The circular has also asked them to submit their assets and liability statement to the PMO within a month.
Officials said a similar process would have to be adopted in respect to visits abroad by secretaries and additional secretary level officers seeking clearance of the screening committee of secretaries.
{{/usCountry}}Officials said a similar process would have to be adopted in respect to visits abroad by secretaries and additional secretary level officers seeking clearance of the screening committee of secretaries.
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