(a) whether the Government have fixed any criterion or procedure for the foreign visits of Ministers, Ministers of State, Secretaries and top officials;
(b) it so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have ensured the compliance of the laid down procedure in letter and spirit; and
(d) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government in regard to the Ministers and officers making foreign visits in violation of the laid down procedure?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D.SWAMI)
(a) & (b): Government of India have issued instructions/guidelines regarding foreign travel of Ministers, Ministers of State, Secretaries and top officials on official duty.
(c) & (d): While all proposals relating to the visits abroad of the Union Ministers require prior approval of the Prime Minister, such proposals in respect of the officers of the Government of India of the rank of Secretary/additional Secretary are carefully considered by the Screening Committee of Secretaries subject to the aforesaid instructions/guidelines and only those visits which are inescapable are permitted with the approval of the concerned Minister.