MLAs junket put off by 2 months

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsWary of public opinion, the state government has decided to postpone the proposed foreign study tour involving nearly 100 MLAs and 15 officials.According to official sources, the state government has issued an order to this effect and the study tour to Russia, Scandinavian countries and South American countries by five Legislative committees — House, Assurance, Estimate, Public Accounts and Public Undertakings — stands postponed by two months.A decision to this effect was taken jointly by Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar, Speaker K G Bopaiah and Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy, sources said.The tour would have cost the state exchequer about Rs 6 to Rs 7 crore at a time when the government had announced austerity measures in view of the prevailing drought.Though the state government has decided to defer the trip, it has already released funds to meet tour expenses to the legislators concerned and the tour operators.“The necessary formalities have been completed,” Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah had told Express.While members of the Petitions and House Committees will tour Russia, Estimates and Assurance Committee members plan to visit Scandinavian countries. These visits are set for the last week of August. The dates for the trip to South America are yet to be finalised, sources said.The propriety of foreign tours by legislators when most parts of the state are reeling under severe drought was questioned by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwar. Both the leaders had advised the government to cancel the visits.A petition seeking cancellation of the trip is pending before the High Court.first published:August 15, 2012, 11:06 ISTlast updated:August 15, 2012, 11:06 IST
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Wary of public opinion, the state government has decided to postpone the proposed foreign study tour involving nearly 100 MLAs and 15 officials.

According to official sources, the state government has issued an order to this effect and the study tour to Russia, Scandinavian countries and South American countries by five Legislative committees — House, Assurance, Estimate, Public Accounts and Public Undertakings — stands postponed by two months.

A decision to this effect was taken jointly by Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar, Speaker K G Bopaiah and Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy, sources said.

The tour would have cost the state exchequer about Rs 6 to Rs 7 crore at a time when the government had announced austerity measures in view of the prevailing drought.

Though the state government has decided to defer the trip, it has already released funds to meet tour expenses to the legislators concerned and the tour operators.

“The necessary formalities have been completed,” Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah had told Express.

While members of the Petitions and House Committees will tour Russia, Estimates and Assurance Committee members plan to visit Scandinavian countries. These visits are set for the last week of August. The dates for the trip to South America are yet to be finalised, sources said.

The propriety of foreign tours by legislators when most parts of the state are reeling under severe drought was questioned by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwar. Both the leaders had advised the government to cancel the visits.

A petition seeking cancellation of the trip is pending before the High Court.