Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his way to attend the CMs conference which was held in New Delhi on Friday. Bangalore: Opposition leader, H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday said he would advise his party MLAs not to go on the foreign tour.
"At a time when the central team has visited the state and the state in turn, has asked for funds to mitigate the crisis, the situation is not appropriate for a foreign tour of legislators which would burden the state exchequer further," Kumaraswamy said.
Surprisingly, it was during the JD (S)-BJP coalition government’s tenure in 2006-07 that the rules were amended to permit such tours. Till then, the legislators were entitled to go on five tours inside the country. The rule was amended to facilitate two foreign tours and another one inside the country.
Kumaraswamy was speaking to reporters after he met agitating teachers who were on strike demanding that the government bring the schools where they were serving, under the grant in aid scheme. Three teachers had tried to consume poison and end their lives on Thursday, however, they were rushed to hospital and were out of danger.
"The government needs only Rs 20 crore to extend grant-in-aid to over 1700 educational institutes. Let the government suspend foreign tours of legislators and extend the same funds to resolve the teachers' crisis," Kumaraswamy said.
He said he would personally call on all legislators and persuade them to drop the tour programme.
"If they want to go, let them spend money from their pocket" .
Next: Day after CM’s support, Dr G backs legislators going on foreign jaunt
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