Issuing revised instructions in this connection, OPMCM has urged ministers not to stay more than two days in a given district and to use state-run guest houses rather than private hotels during their visits. [break]
“Our objective behind issuing the instructions is to maintain financial discipline among ministers in view of ministers´ poor record in the past,” the OPMCM source told Republica.
As per the instructions, ministers including state and assistant ministers are prohibited from including more than three members in their travel party. Ministers can include one office secretary from the ministry concerned, one personal secretary and one personal security officer.
The revised instructions restrict ministers from making more than two trips in the same district within a month.
“Ministers are also required to inform the home ministry two days before their departure about the place and duration of visit,” reads the directive.
Ministers are asked to compulsorily furnish visit reports to the prime minister within seven days of completing a trip. Such reports have to be signed by the ministers concerned.
They are also asked to furnish OPMCM with bills for a visit within 35 days. “The date of departure should match the date mentioned in plane tickets. OPMCM will not accept bills for road vehicle fare if the ministers travelled by air,” the instructions further state.
OPMCM has informed ministers that it would not reimburse expenses from state coffers if trips are found to have been made for personal or political objectives.
OPMCM had instructed all ministers in the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government also to furnish evidence of domestic travel to claim reimbursement of expenses.
According to the source, that directive is still in existence. As per the directive, ministers are required to furnish information on where, when and why they travelled.
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