Dubai visit is personal, but personal staff's visit official: CM Vijayan to MEA

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly explained to the Ministry of External Affairs that his visit to Dubai is not official but personal. The Chief Minister stated that the entire cost of this visit will be borne personally and that the visit of his personal staff to Dubai is an official one. In the explanation, it is stated that the personal staff was brought along to look at the e-files and to facilitate the meeting of the cabinet.

The Chief Minister visited Dubai on his way back from visiting UK and Norway. This was done without prior approval of the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs sought an explanation from the Chief Minister for taking the personal assistant with him, even though he later approached the ministry seeking permission. This was because it is against the rules to take government employees on private visits.

Following the Chief Minister's explanation, the Ministry of External Affairs gave permission for the visit to Dubai. But by the time the permission was given, the Chief Minister's visit had already started. The permission was given on October 12 in the afternoon. But the Chief Minister had begun his visit in the morning.

Meanwhile, opposition leader VD Satheesan has come forward demanding an explanation regarding what the state has gained with the Chief Minister's foreign trip.