Shillong: The Meghalaya government has suspended all state-funded foreign travel for ministers, lawmakers, and officials for the next six months. This move serves as part of an austerity drive designed to better manage public spending amid global economic instability.
Officials stated the decision was taken in the larger public interest to ensure that financial resources remain focused on priority sectors and ongoing developmental commitments. By pausing these trips, the administration aims to maintain fiscal discipline while navigating concerns over foreign exchange resources.
This policy change has resulted in the postponement of eight planned study and exposure tours. These programs involved approximately 63 to 68 representatives traveling to countries including the United Kingdom, Denmark, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Argentina. The deferred visits covered a variety of fields such as healthcare, climate-resilient water management, livestock development, and governance.
The government clarified that this ban does not extend to travel funded entirely by the Government of India or multilateral development banks. Any such exceptions remain subject to necessary approvals from the Union Ministry of External Affairs.
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