Chandigarh, October 16 - The Finance Department of Haryana has issued new guidelines regarding foreign travel of government officials and employees. These directions will come into effect with immediate effect and all the earlier orders will be considered null and void.
These guidelines issued by Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Rastogi, who also holds the charge of Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, will be applicable to government employees of Group A, B, C and D as well as officers of All India Services affiliated to Haryana.
The Finance Department will give approval in this regard on the recommendation of the concerned administrative department. Guidelines have already been issued by the Chief Secretary's office regarding foreign travel of the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs. However, now it will be necessary to take financial approval from the Finance Department.
For official foreign trips at government expense, permission will be given for a maximum of one official and one private trip in each financial year. The total duration of both the trips will not exceed three weeks. The proposals will have to be signed by the concerned officer and sent to the Finance Department. Also, the concerned department will have to ensure that the budget provision for foreign travel allowance is available.
Only one private trip will be allowed in each financial year for foreign travel at own expense due to personal reasons. In such a situation, the name of the country where the trip is to be taken will have to be clearly mentioned in the application letter. Further, if the cost of the private trip is being borne by any organization affiliated to the department, then permission will not be given.
Under no circumstances will ex-post approval be granted for foreign travel. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against the officers who go abroad without permission.
Where the system of handing over or assuming charge is applicable, the officer-employee will have to hand over his charge to his alternate officer-employee before going abroad. In case of any violation, strict disciplinary action may be taken by the concerned department under Haryana Civil Services Rules, 2016.
The Finance Department has clarified that the interpretation, amendment or authority of these guidelines will remain with the Finance Department alone.