Despite ban on foreign trips, AP min on 'official' tour to USA

The minister, according to an order issued by the General Administration Department, is supposed to attend the 12th American Telugu Association (ATA) Conference and Youth Convention in Atlanta on an "official visit".

Interestingly, the ATA event is scheduled to be held just for three days, from July 6 to 8 but the minister will spend 16 days in the USA, excluding the journey time.

"The (minister's) visit is for official purpose and the expenditure shall be borne by the Andhra Pradesh government," the GAD Special Secretary (Protocol) N V Ramana Reddy said in the order.

The Union Ministry of External Affairs issued clearance from political angle to the visit of Aruna, he said.

Barring the ATA event, there is no other apparent "official purpose" in Aruna's US trip, sources in the General Administration Department said.

Aruna also holds charge of Cinematography and AP Film, TV and Theatre Development Corporation.

What has raised eyebrows is the duration of her visit which, coupled with journey period, could stretch to 20 days.

"Probably even the Prime Minister doesn't make a 20-day 'official' foreign trip at one go," a bureaucrat in the GAD remarked.

Besides Aruna, six other state ministers