Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has made it mandatory for its officers and employees to seek prior permission at least 21 days before travelling outside the state or abroad. A communication in this regard has been issued by the Finance department.
As per the guidelines, officials must obtain prior approval before leaving their headquarters or place of posting. The department stated that the permission requirement will be strictly enforced.
However, exceptions may be allowed in emergency situations where officials are unable to follow the 21-day notice period.
The decision was taken after the government came to know that several officers and employees were travelling without obtaining prior approval. The government has now tightened restrictions to ensure proper administrative discipline and accountability.
“In case of travelling to outside Odisha/ out of India purely on personal ground, the leave (other than casual leave) of a government servant must be sanctioned by the Competent Authority before travelling and necessary prior permission for leaving Headquarters from the authority must be obtained,” the communication issued by the department said.
“However, it has come to notice that in case of travelling to outside Odisha/ out of India on personal ground, Officers/Officials working in different Directorates and sub-ordinate offices functioning under the Administrative control of Finance Department are either proceeding without prior sanction of leave and/or permission for leaving Headquarters or applying/ intimating regarding such leave and/or Headquarters leaving permission within short period of time in which it is difficult to sanction the leave and/or accord permission to leave Headquarters,” it said.
Therefore, it said, all officials should apply for leave before the competent authority and obtain prior permission for leaving headquarters in case of travelling outside Odisha or out of India on personal ground at least 21 days in advance, except in case of emergencies.