Uttarakhand to put a break on unnecessary official junkets

CM Harish Rawat has made it mandatory for all bureaucrats, ministers and members of legislative assembly to declare their assets every year

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Monday announced steps for the good governance which would put a break on unnecessary official junkets.

In yet another decision, the chief minister has made it mandatory for all bureaucrats, ministers and members of legislative assembly to declare their assets every year. "This, we believe, is a very important step," Rawat said.

"There will be no more unnecessary official foreign junkets, not even the domestic ones. Anyone, who desires to travel abroad, must take necessary permission from the chief minister," Rawat said. "We should know why the person is travelling abroad and what are its benefits."

Rawat's comments come after similar steps taken in Goa where a pre-audit will be conducted for all official junkets. But Rawat made it clear that he was not against study tours. "I don't want to stop important study tours where our state can be benefitted," he said.

The chief minister also indicated that his government intends to take steps to remove illegal encroachments in hilly areas in view of the rising threats posed by floods in the state. "People construct houses in areas dangerously close to rivers and rivulets. We want to start a discussion on this issue through the media," he said.