Bureaucrats to get leave, govt funds to ski, trek, go rock climbing

Another bonanza is in store for Central government employees: they can go skiing in Gulmarg or rock climbing in Manali on “special casual leave” granted by the Centre, which will also pick up the tab.

To foster the spirit of risk-taking and teamwork, the Narendra Modi government has asked five million-odd Central employees to participate in adventure sports. This is also aimed at tackling “the alarming situation of stress and impact of sedentary life” on them.

“It will create and foster the spirit of risk-taking, cooperative teamwork, capacity of readiness and vital response to challenging situations and endurance,” a department of personnel and training order read.

The DoPT will sponsor five-seven-day programmes at six institutes, including Atal Behari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, Indian

Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg, National Institute of Water Sports, Vasco da Gama, Goa; and Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi. The activities will include trekking, mountaineering, rock-climbing, cycling in difficult terrain, skiing, surfing, boat sailing, snorkelling, rafting, parasailing, ballooning, paragliding, jungle safari, desert safari, beach trekking and environmental awareness camps.

The government, besides granting special leave, will also reimburse expenses up to Rs 20,000. Financial assistance of 100 per cent of costs will be provided in a calendar year to two officials of each ministry/department who have got awards for excellence in service.