Adviser nod to councillors’ study tour to Kerala, Kolkata

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

Despite a row over Leh tour, UT Adviser Manoj Parida has given approval for the councillors’ “study tour” to Kerala and Kolkata.

The tour will cost the public exchequer a whopping Rs 35 lakh. Councillors, barring a few, will visit Kerala and Kolkata in two lots. The tour will be undertaken from December 21 to 26. The cost includes stay at a posh hotel, luxury eating, outing, flight tickets and other expenses. Every year, special funds are allocated under the budget for study tours.

Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman of the Federation of Sectors Welfare Association of Chandigarh (FOSWAC), said: “It will be a waste of money as nothing has been implemented from the previous study tours. The MC and the Administration must review why this fund is sanctioned every year.”

In September this year, 24 of the total 35 councillors, along with two officers, went on a four-day tour to Leh for Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary celebrations, but pictures of them visiting tourist spots drew a lot of criticism.

Interestingly, the UT Administration still has not approved the funds spent on that tour.

“The MC does not have funds to repair roads and build toilets, but they are splurging lakhs on study tours,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Sector 22.

“Such tour of councillors is a sheer wastage of taxpayers’ money. The authorities should mark a Vigilance probe on such expenses,” FOSWAC demanded earlier.