City irrigation dept bureaucrats warned over foreign trips

New Delhi: Concerned over some officials visiting foreign countries without prior approval, the irrigation and flood control department of the Delhi government has warned officials of strict action if they do not follow its directive.

The department has clearly directed the officials that they cannot proceed on leave to visit other places, even within the country, without prior approval from the authorities concerned.

Joint secretary Sakshi Mittal issued a circular, stating that any laxity on the part of the department’s officials in following directions will be “viewed seriously.” She said some officials are proceeding on leave and even visiting neighbouring countries without prior approval of the competent authority, which is “not a healthy practice.”

“No officer/official shall proceed on leave and leave the headquarters, i.e. Delhi, either to visit within the territory of India or abroad, including neighbouring countries, without the prior NOC/approval of the competent authority,” it stated.

Cracking the whip on employees using official vehicles for personal work, the Delhi government’s social welfare department had directed its officials to submit a written undertaking every month that the cars are being used for official purposes only.

The decision was taken after it was observed that a few officers were using the official vehicles for commuting to office from their home and vice-versa.