Govt bars additional secretaries from business class travel abroad
The measure has been taken as part of broader efforts to reduce public expenditure amid the current economic situation
ATT Desk Report 
The government has introduced a new cost-cutting measure, restricting officials of additional secretary rank and below from travelling in business class on official foreign trips.
Under the directive, all officials at the level of additional secretary or equivalent, as well as those in lower ranks across government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, statutory and state-owned institutions, will be required to travel in economy class instead of business, club or executive classes.
The decision was announced in a notification issued on Thursday (April 30) by the Finance Division’s Expenditure Management Wing-2, signed by Deputy Secretary R H M Alaol Kabir.
According to the notification, the measure has been taken as part of broader efforts to reduce public expenditure amid the current economic situation.
It also stated that the new rule will override provisions outlined in Clause 21(b) of the 2012 policy on foreign travel allowances and benefits in foreign currency for official purposes.
Copies of the directive have been sent to the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, and all senior secretaries and secretaries of ministries and divisions. The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the President’s Office have also been informed to ensure proper implementation.
