Dhaka: Payment of fees has been made mandatory for ministers and state ministers to avail government services during their personal visits, according to a notification signed by Cabinet Division Secretary Nasimul Ghani. The directive specified that any trip, domestic or international, must clearly state in the itinerary letter whether it is official or private. For official visits, the government will cover transportation and accommodation costs. However, for personal trips, the individual must bear these expenses in accordance with prevailing rules.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during foreign visits, the additional secretary or joint secretary of the respective ministry or department will accompany the minister, state minister, or deputy minister at the airport. For domestic trips, their private secretary will be present during departures and returns to Dhaka. At the district level, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, and senior department officials will, where possible, welcome and see off the ministers at their arrival and departure locations.
The notification allows the deputy commissioner or superintendent of police to delegate responsibilities to additional officials if necessary, without altering the scheduled official tour. Ministers and state ministers are permitted to modify their own travel schedules. For upazila-level tours, the upazila nirbahi officer, assistant superintendent of police, and senior department officers will be responsible, with the presence of the deputy commissioner or superintendent of police required only when necessary.
The presence of the deputy commissioner or superintendent of police at airports or railway stations is not mandatory unless required. During transit, a district administration representative will be present. The superintendent of police is tasked with ensuring security upon receiving the itinerary, and railway police will be informed to ensure the presence of officers at significant stations for rail travel.
The notification emphasizes timely communication of itineraries to relevant officials, with any changes reported immediately. Safety rules remain applicable even when staying outside of government facilities such as circuit houses or rest houses. This instruction supersedes the previous directive issued on August 27, 2024, and has been disseminated to all divisional commissioners and district administrators in the country.