Ministers must pay for govt services on personal trips

Ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers will have to pay for government-provided vehicles and accommodation if such facilities are used during private visits, report agencies.
On Monday, the Cabinet Division also issued detailed instructions governing both domestic and foreign travel of ministers.
It said whether a tour -- either domestic or abroad -- is official or private must be informed to the relevant officials by the ministers' or state ministers' offices.
The government will bear the transportation and accommodation costs in the case of official visits.
However, if such facilities are utilised during private trips, the concerned costs must be paid by themselves in accordance with existing rules.
The directive said that existing instructions over protocol shall also apply in cases where ministers stay at their own homes or elsewhere, other than circuit or state-run rest houses.
The concerned district superintendent of police will take necessary measures for security during their visits.
The directive has already been sent to all divisional and deputy commissioners. Through this, the previous directive issued on Aug 27, 2024 has been repealed.
The new directive said the ministers' tour schedules must be sent to the relevant officials in due time.
If there are any changes to the visits, those must also be communicated to the concerned parties in a timely manner.
It added if the ministers or state ministers wish, their private secretaries or assistant private secretaries will carry out their duties accordingly.