Government officials having access to sensitive information may face hurdle for private foreign trips

NEW DELHI: An official handling a large amount of cash or having access to government secrets could face a hurdle in getting permission for a private trip overseas. This is part of a proposed procedure, under which the official concerned will get to know the government’s decision within 15 days of filing an application seeking clearance to go abroad. The proposal promises to improve upon the existing system that mandates no time limit for responding to such requests, often derailing the plans of government officials, who require prior permission of the competent government authority even for personal overseas trips.

“While granting such permission, many factors are required to be kept in view. For example, permission may be denied in the interest of security. Individuals facing investigation/inquiry on serious charges, who may try to evade apprehension by police authorities, or facing the inquiry, may also not be permitted to leave the country,” says a set of draft instructions prepared by Department of Personnel and Training ( DoPT) to grant such permissions.

In a new format, which is supposed to be filled up by the administrative authorities before granting of permission, four parameters have been specified to be considered – whether the government servant is handling large amounts of government cash, whether he is dealing with secret/top secret matters, whether any case involving serious charges against the official is under investigation (with details) and whether any disciplinary proceeding is pending against the official. The official, on his part, will specify his private foreign trips he has undertaken for the past four years, their purpose and complete details.

However, requests for permission will now be dealt with expeditiously. “It may be ensured that the decisions are conveyed to the government servants within 15 days of receipt of complete application. Any lacunae in the application should be brought to the notice of the government servant within one week of the receipt of the application,” the proposed instructions say.