The Times of India 03.09.2010
Councillors want only tour but no study
CHANDIGARH: A proposal of municipal councillors regarding a study tour to Gangtok-Darjeeling and Chennai-Portblair has left the UT administration fuming. The reason: It mentions neither the trip’s purpose nor its cost. Miffed over the ‘unplanned’ tour, UT has shot off a letter to MC, seeking explanation as to why the outing is required and how is it going to benefit the city.
In their enthusiasm of visiting a hill station of north-east and the seaside of south India, councillors, after approving the agenda in house, seem to have forgotten to incorporate in the proposal crucial points, like its objective and benefits.
The letter from the office of secretary, local bodies, (a copy of which is in the possession of TOI) has raised two questions – what will be the total expenditure and is there any specific project of national importance that councillors want to study or which can serve as a benchmark to be replicated here.
Interestingly, the administration sent the letter to MC on August 17, but the civic body is yet to respond to it.
After receiving the letter, MC officials have worked reportedly out the expenditure to be incurred on the tour and the newly-appointed joint commissioner (1), Lalit Siwach, has submitted it to MC commissioner Roshan Sunkaria.
Sources said councillors would leave for the week-long tour in two groups for Gangtok-Darjeeling and Chennai-Portblair.
It would cost the government exchequer anything between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 18 lakh. The MC would also bear their boarding, ticket and meal expenses.
“The joint commissioner (1) has sent the expenditure details to the commissioner and requested him to enquire about the tour’s purpose from the mayor,” sources told TOI.
Siwach said, “I’ve submitted the details.”
