A lax holiday

Government officials planning a holiday abroad have a reason to smile, with the Department of Personnel and Training relaxing some stiff requirements in this regard. Officials of the all-India services no longer need a clearance from the cadre-controlling authority; permission from state governments and ministries or departments will do for “purely personal” and “private” foreign visits. And for those keen to mix business with pleasure, the cap on leave combined with an official foreign tour has been raised from two weeks to three, provided the duration of leave does not exceed 50% of the period of official duty abroad. And when it comes to a trip on the invitation of a foreign organisation where the Government is not bearing any expenses, state governments, ministries and departments will now have the power to sanction it. The earlier rules needed cadre clearance from the Central Government.