Overseas training beckons state government staff

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Very few can resist the lure of travel abroad, that too when it is all expenses borne while on paid leave. Though all trips abroad are not necessarily vacations, for many government officials it is often considered paid time off, a chance to indulge in some luxury and sightseeing.Unlike the top level all India service officers who may be able to frequently fly abroad literally at the drop of a hat, lesser mortals in the middle level usually find overseas official visits more a fancy flight. However, it looks like things are changing for them as well. At least six offers that provide avenues for training of State Government employees in countries such as Japan, Singapore, Korea and Indonesia have been announced by the Union Government.These programmes handle different topics and the only criteria for the applicant is to have some working experience in the topic concerned. The Singapore programme deals with public finance management while the Japan programme is for environmentfriendly transport and strengthening of telecommunications in rural areas which will last almost a month. The training in Korea is meant for employees in finance and trade sectors. Surprisingly, the offers do not excite many. "This is a routine exercise. The applications seeking training programmes come every year, but I have not known any person around here who could make it. For availing such trips, you need to have a good hand in Delhi", said an officer at the undersecretary level who did not wished to be named. For many, it is a welcome break from the daily grind while few would consider it an opportunity for sharpening their official skills, says a senior IAS officer. Most of the programmes are sponsored either totally by the training organisations or are joint ventures between the government and the organisers. "The expenses would not be from the public exchequer for such programmes. But even then, since the invite is sent to all the states and the number of applicants are many, the number of people selected would be relatively less. Automatically, the demand is high", officials say.