Tks for the good feedback and to clarify my original Q!!
It is actually the destination airport (180 nm away) telling the departure airport ATC to not give the IFR clearence to that aircraft because they (Destination) are below minimums for their VOR App.
So, can the destination aiport at your part of the world do that and is there any written guidance on that.
Would be particulary interested in an ICAO Ref. but any further feedback will be very much appreciated.
Pilot/Operator point of view might be to depart and if WX remains below minimums before the FAF divert to the alternate but the departure airport follows the destination ATC instructions and will not issue an IFR clearence to that destination.