MLA, MLCs find a way to foreign jaunt

The Special Board of Karnataka Legislature headed by Assembly Speaker Jagadesh Shettar has recently given its nod to allow members of various standing committee of the Legislature (MLAs and MLCs) to visit a foreign country once and twice within the country as ‘study tours’ during their term.

All expenses of their tours will be borne by the State exchequer. Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, Law and Parliamentary Minister Suresh Kumar and Legislative Council Chairman Veeranna Mattikatti are other members of the Board. Hitherto, standing committee members were allowed to go on study tour thrice, but only within the country.

According to official sources, standing committee members had brought pressure on the Speaker to allow them to go on foreign tours. “Almost all committees’ members had petitioned to the Speaker and the CM in this regard. They had claimed that they need exposure and want to learn more about democratic set up of various nations,” sources said.
However, guidelines will be framed like duration of the tour, expenses, distance to be covered and others for the members to go on the study tour, sources said.