Elected local representatives will now be allowed to visit abroad for official purpose if invitations are approved by the federal government.

The recently introduced ‘Directive on Foreign Trips of Officials of Local Levels’ has made it mandatory for local government representatives to get their invitations approved by either Finance Ministry, Foreign Ministry or Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

The directive was issued to ensure that local representatives attend only those events that are worthy.

“The directive has defined official invitations as those that have been sent through the channel of federal government,” said Purusottam Nepal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

The directive has given greater authority to federal government considering that only federal government has been authorised to conduct foreign policy.

“As abroad visit is a part of meeting foreign policy objective of the state, we have to be careful when sending officials on foreign trips,” said Nepal.

If an NGO or a social organisation is found to have sponsored the foreign visit of any elected local representative without approval from the federal government, such organisations would face action, according to the directive. 

The Federal Affairs Ministry will write to the concerned agency to take action against such organisation.

“The measure has been provisioned in the directive to stop undue influence of NGOs on local officials,” said Nepal.

Moreover, the  directive has barred elected local representatives from expressing views or signing documents that are against Nepal’s constitution and international commitments.

All concerned officials should take approval from the Foreign Ministry regarding the issues to be deliberated in any bilateral or multilateral meeting, any event of sub-regional, regional or international organisations in which Nepali is a member country, according to directive.

The directive has also set the daily allowance of $125 to $250 for officials on foreign trips. The allowance sum would be determined based on the ranks of officials.

Highlights

•     Federal government must approve invitations
•     Officials on foreign trips barred from expressing views or signing documents against constitution
•     Topics of bilateral talks must be approved by Foreign Ministry
•     Daily allowance to range from $125 to $250 based on ranks of officials