(a) whether there is any provision in the Rules for sending bureaucrats and officials on foreign tours and deputation and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of bureaucrats who went on foreign tours and deputations during the last three years/year Ministry-wise;
(c) the details of the expenditure incurred by the Government on them, yearwise;
(d) whether additional incentives are given to bureaucrats who are on foreign deputations; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (e): The officials are deputed to foreign/captive posts of the Government of India in terms of the Consolidated Instructions on Foreign Assignments (CIFA) dated 20/6/1991 and the Consolidated Deputation Guidelines issued by Department of Personnel & Training on 28/11/2007 and 29/2/2008. These guidelines, inter-alia, provide Civil Services Board (CSB) procedure for filling up these posts after taking into account the suitability of the officers viz-a-vis the qualifications for the post. The number of officers deputed to foreign/captive posts of the Government of India during the last three years is at Annexure I. Officers are eligible to draw pay and allowances as admissible on these posts.
The foreign tours of bureaucrats and officials are guided by the instructions/guidelines issued by the Department of Expenditure from time to time and the latest instruction has been issued vide O.M. dated 5/1/2016. The foreign tours are broadly subject to the following restrictions in the usual course:-
(i) not more than 04 official visits abroad in a calendar year;
(ii) shall not exceed 05 working days;
(iii) size of delegation kept to the absolute minimum ;
(iv) participation of officials in international fairs/exhibitions/workshops and conference shall be discouraged;
The Ministry/Department wise expenditure on foreign travel expenses during the last three years is at Annexure II.
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