Foreign trips, aka ‘junkets’, sparked off debate in the Assembly. Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar was grilled by Independent MLA Vijay Sardesai on the huge expenditures on foreign and domestic tourism jaunts, without a pre-audit of the expenses. Since 2012, government has spent nearly Rs 22 crore on international tours.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar assured the House that “strong check” and “control” are being kept on the official tours of ministers, MLAs and other officers.
“Though there are allegations against us. We will ensure that we don’t send our any MLA or minister or officer to any foreign tours where the need does not arise,” said the chief minister.
Foreign junkets had made big news recently when four of Goa’s MLAs, including a minister, went to Brazil for the football World Cup in June last year, wherein government had spent a whopping Rs 89 lakh. However, three members have already paid around Rs 15 lakh each to the government, after the tour was declared personal and not official following media outrage.
