Karnataka to send MLAs in teams on foreign tours

With overseas trips by legislators triggering public outcry in recent months, MLAs in Karnataka would now be sent on foreign tours in teams formed on issues about specific subjects rather than as committees.

About 30 to 40 such teams will be formed to go on overseas trips to study subject-specific issues, said Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimappa.

The state government's decision is based on the recommendations of a committee headed by Assembly Secretary Om Prakash, which was formed by the Speaker to frame guidelines for foreign trips after some tours by legislators came under attack.

Tours by members of five legislature committees comprising about 20 each, accompanied by 15 officials, to Russia, South America and Scandinavian countries in September and October last year had led to public outcry as the trips then was expected to cost the state exchequer over Rs 8 crore.

A similar planned junket of 100 MLAs in different batches when large parts of the state were reeling under drought during the BJP rule in 2012 had evoked protests. Thimappa said a 27-working day session of Karnataka Legislature would begin on June 23. It would last till July 30. The Siddaramaiah government was keen on conducting at least 60 days of legislature session in a year, he said.

The old system of conducting department-wise discussion on demands for grants would be introduced, he said.

Far from the practice of chief minister replying to the entire debate, this session will witness ministers holding respective portfolios answering queries raised by the members, Thimmappa said.