Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The Meghalaya government has suspended all state-funded foreign travel for ministers, lawmakers, and civil servants for the next six months. This austerity measure aims to curb non-essential spending and preserve resources for key development projects across the state.
A June 10 notification from the General Administration Department confirms the order applies to both permanent and contractual staff. The move has resulted in the postponement of eight planned study tours involving up to 68 officials. These trips previously targeted destinations including the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and Thailand to focus on sectors like healthcare, livestock management, and climate-resilient water systems.
Government officials emphasized that this decision does not signal a shift away from international cooperation. One official stated, "Rather, it reflects a temporary pause in expenditure-bearing overseas travel while ensuring continued focus on governance priorities within the state." The administration plans to maintain these professional connections through virtual meetings and existing technical partnerships.
The restriction excludes trips fully covered by the Government of India or multilateral development banks, provided the Ministry of External Affairs grants the necessary political clearance. The government maintains that the pause is a strategic effort to protect its financial health amid global economic uncertainty.
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