Jharkhand Foreign Travel Rules Require Prior Approval and Four-Year Travel History

The news

The Jharkhand Finance Department has issued a resolution making prior approval mandatory for all government employees and officers undertaking foreign travel, including trips financed entirely from their own funds. The new rules, approved by the state cabinet, specify the competent authority for each category of employee based on rank and the purpose of travel.

For government-funded, partly government-funded or externally funded travel — including training, seminars, workshops and higher education — the Chief Minister's approval is required. Heads of departments must also obtain the Chief Minister's clearance even for private trips, with proposals routed through the Chief Secretary. Group A and B employees, other than heads of departments, will seek permission from the departmental minister for private travel, while Group C and D employees must approach the authority that sanctions their earned leave.

Applicants must submit details of all private foreign trips made during the previous four years, including the country, dates, duration and purpose. They must also disclose whether they handle major government financial transactions, work on confidential or highly confidential matters, or have any pending serious allegations, disciplinary proceedings or criminal cases. A self-declaration is mandatory, affirming that no judicial or vigilance case is pending and that the employee will not engage in anti-government activities or overstay abroad.

Where necessary, the competent authority may obtain vigilance clearance from the police or the vigilance department. Once clearance is received, the decision to approve or reject the application must be communicated to the applicant within 30 days. The resolution has been directed for publication in an extraordinary issue of the Jharkhand Gazette.

What is the legal basis for regulating government employees' foreign travel in India?

The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 govern the conduct of central government employees. State service codes or conduct rules are often modelled on the central civil services conduct rules.

What does the Jharkhand Service Code say?

The resolution clarifies the foreign travel provisions under paragraph 4 of Appendix 13 of the Jharkhand Service Code. The service code contains rules governing the service conditions of government employees, and this amendment now identifies the competent authority for each employee category, funding source and travel purpose.

How will the new approval process work?

For private travel, Group C and D employees must approach the authority that sanctions their earned leave. Group A and B employees, excluding heads of departments, need the departmental minister's approval. Heads of departments require the Chief Minister's prior approval even for private trips, with proposals routed through the Chief Secretary. For government-funded or externally funded travel, the Chief Minister's approval is mandatory for all categories.

What disclosures and checks are required?

Applicants must provide details of private foreign trips during the preceding four years, including country, dates, duration and purpose. They must disclose involvement in major government financial transactions, confidential or highly confidential work, and any pending serious allegations, disciplinary proceedings or criminal cases. A self-declaration is mandatory, and police or vigilance clearance may be sought. Once vigilance clearance is obtained, the decision must be communicated within 30 days.