In preparation for the upcoming winter session of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha has issued a reminder to its members, emphasizing the necessity to obtain political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before embarking on international travel, even for personal reasons.

A bulletin issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat, citing the 2005 code of conduct for its lawmakers, stated, “All invitations from any foreign source, namely, the government of any country or any foreign entity are expected to be routed through the ministry of external affairs. However, in case such an invitation is received directly, members are required to bring it to the notice of the Ministry of External Affairs and necessary political clearance of that ministry should also be obtained for the purpose.”

The winter session of Parliament is scheduled to commence on December 4, extending until December 22. While the Rajya Sabha Secretariat regularly issues a code of conduct, the Lok Sabha has yet to formulate one for its members. In the previous month, the Lok Sabha ethics committee recommended the establishment of a code of conduct for the Lower House. During the investigation into cash-for-query allegations against Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, who belongs to the Trinamool Congress, the committee raised several inquiries regarding her visits to Dubai.

Referring to the code of conduct, the Rajya Sabha bulletin stated, “Members are requested to send information of their visit abroad, stating the purpose, to the secretary-general at least 3 weeks in advance so that the Ministry of External Affairs and the concerned Indian mission/post could be informed of the same.”

The bulletin reminded MPs that “none of their activities during those visits give an unintended impression that members are on an official visit on behalf of the Indian Parliament.” The code also stated that “members are required to obtain prior permission of the central government for accepting any foreign hospitality during their private visits abroad or visits abroad in their capacity, under Section 6 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.”

The bulletin recommended Rajya Sabha members to notify both the MEA and the Union Home Ministry before accepting any invitations from foreign sources. “If any invitation from any foreign source namely, the government of any country, foreign organizations, etc. is received directly by a member, a copy of such invitation letter giving full details of the purpose of the visit and the hospitality to be accepted should be sent to the ministry of external affairs for political clearance; and the secretary, ministry of home affairs (Foreigners Division; FCRA), for accepting any foreign hospitality being offered during visits abroad,” the bulletin added.

The Rajya Sabha members have been appraised that, following the attainment of political clearance from MEA and FCRA permission from MHA, the member in question "shall keep the Rajya Sabha chairman informed, inter-alia, of the purpose of the visit and the hospitality proposed to be received."

Image source: Times of India