Ministers, state ministers must pay for govt services on personal visits: Cabinet Division

Payment of fees has been made mandatory for ministers and state ministers to avail government services during their personal visits, according to a notification signed by Cabinet Division Secretary Nasimul Ghani. 

The directive stated that any visit to the country or abroad must be clearly mentioned in the itinerary letter, whether it is official or private.

In the case of official visits, the government will bear the transportation and accommodation arrangements, but if these facilities are availed during personal visits, the related expenses will have to be paid by the person himself as per the prevailing rules, it added.

It said that during foreign visits, the additional secretary or joint secretary of the concerned ministry or department will be present at the airport during the travel of the minister, state minister and deputy minister. In the case of domestic visits, their private secretary will be present during their departure and return to Dhaka, it said. 

The notification said that during district-level visits, the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and senior officials of the concerned department will, as far as possible, welcome and see off the ministers at the places of arrival and departure.

However, if necessary, the deputy commissioner or superintendent of police can delegate the responsibility to the additional deputy commissioner or additional superintendent of police without changing their scheduled official tour. 

If the minister or state minister wants, they can change their own tour schedule. 

The instructions stated that in the case of tours at the upazila level, the upazila nirbahi officer, assistant superintendent of police and senior officers of the concerned department will perform the duties. The presence of the deputy commissioner or superintendent of police will not be required unless necessary.

It said that the presence of the deputy commissioner or superintendent of police is not mandatory unless required at the time of arrival and departure at the airport or railway station. In case of transit, a representative of the administration of the concerned district will be present. 

It stated that the superintendent of police will take necessary measures to ensure security as soon as the itinerary is received. In case of travel by rail, the railway police will inform the concerned stations and ensure the presence of police officers at important stations.

The notification stated that the itinerary should be sent to the concerned officials in a timely manner and any changes should be reported immediately. Even if staying outside the circuit house or government rest house, the safety rules will remain applicable. 

This instruction has cancelled the previous instruction issued on 27 August 2024. 

The instruction has also been sent to all the divisional commissioners and district administrators of the country.