Cab Secy for strict action against babus overstaying on foreign postings

Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha has directed all secretaries to take strict action against IAS and IPS officers overstaying on foreign assignments, including removal from service. In the stern directive issued to secretaries of all Central government ministries and chief secretaries of states, he said a number of instances had come to notice, where officers stay on foreign assignments beyond their approved tenures.

“This trend needs to be discouraged by ensuring strict action against errant officers as per extant policy,” Sinha said.

An officer of three all India services – IAS, IPS and IFoS – among others, can stay a maximum of five years on foreign deputation. A plan to increase the deputation period to seven years is under consideration of the Centre. It may also be noted that state governments shall initiate proceedings for deemed resignation if the member of service does not return from foreign assignment within one month after completion of the approved tenure, he said.