The central government has put few restrictions on the governors of India. Without the approval of the President, the governor is not eligible to leave the station. It put few travel restrictions saying that the governors should stay in their respective states for at least 292 days in a year.   

In a notification released by the ministry of home affairs, it said that without the prior permission of the President or the President's Secretariat, no visits of governors shall be undertaken. 

If at all the travel is planned in last minute, then the governors will have to explain the “compelling reasons” for the trip. If he is is required to travel outside the state, then a prior permission request should be sent to Rashrtapathi Bhavan before one to six weeks from the date of travel, depending on whether the tour is official or private and on whether the destination is in India or abroad.       

Every such request will also have to be marked to the Prime Minister’s principal secretary Nripendra Misra and Union home minister Rajnath Singh. 

In case of foreign visits, the communication seeking approval of the President should be received by the President’s Secretariat at least six weeks in advance. “Governors shall invariably obtain clearance under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and political clearance before undertaking the foreign visit,” it said.

Raj Bhavans will have to send their detailed itinerary to the President for every official visit, domestic or foreign, and keep Rashtrapati Bhavan posted about any changes to ensure that private visits are not passed off as official.  

The notification specified that  “The duration of such visits of the governor shall not exceed 20% of the days in a calendar year”.  

By Phani