MPs' goodwill visit to Egypt, Greece put off as austerity step

New Delhi, Sept 10 (PTI) The first foreign visit by a
delegation of the 15th Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian
Parliament) has become a victim of austerity measure.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has
cancelled a goodwill visit by MPs to Egypt and Greece from
September 28.
Bansal was to lead the delegation during the 10-day tour.
The decision was taken in view of the austerity measures
initiated by Government in view of drought, officials said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi had only a couple of days
back conveyed to External Affairs Minister of India S M
Krishna and his deputy Shashi Tharoor to shift out of their
temporary accommodations in five-star hotels.
The Finance Ministry had only recently appealed to all
ministries to observe austerity measures and the Prime
Minister's Office had asked ministers to undertake foreign
tours if absolutely necessary.
A meeting of the Congress Working Committee last month had
asked party Ministers, MPs, MLAs and office bearers to donate
20 per cent of their salary for drought relief. PTI SPG
SDE


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