Government to control ministers' foreign tours, says Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar assured the House here today that a "strong check" and "control" would be instituted on official foreign tours of ministers, MLAs and other government officials.
His statement came in the wake of large scale criticism about ministers spending crores of rupees on foreign junkets though the state is reeling under an economic crisis.
"We have instituted strong checks and control on foreign tours of ministers, MLAs and government officers," Parsekar said at the ongoing Goa Legislative Assembly session today.
He said that thorough scrutiny is being carried out before approving such tours.
"Though there are allegations against us, we ensure that we never send any of our MLAs or ministers or officers on any foreign tours if the need does not arise," the Goa Chief Minister said.

Yesterday, independent MLA Vijay Sardesai had launched a scathing attack against Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar for spending Rs 42 crore on foreign tours.

He had also reminded the House of former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar's assurance that pre-audit of foreign tours would be conducted.
Parsekar said that the Goa state government believes in "zero tolerance" towards corruption.
"I assure the House that no MLA or minister will interfere when action against a corrupt officer is initiated," he said.