Official committees visited foreign countries 5 times: CM

Puducherry, Apr 5 (UNI) Official committees headed by Puducherry Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao had visited foreign countries, including France and Germany five times during 2006-07 to take part in internaitonal toursim festivals and travel marts, Chief Minister N Rangasamy told the legislative assembly today.

Replying to a question from CPI member R Viswanathan, the Chief Minister said prior permission from the Union Home Ministry for the visits were obtained.

However, the member refuted the claim and said the Chief Minister was giving a false information in the House. Mr Viswanathan then read out a letter from the Home Ministry dated November 22, 2006 seeking to clarify whether the concurrence of the Centre was obtained, and if not the rules under which the territorial administration had sanctioned the trip on its own.

Mr Rangasamy said the administration had obtained permission and also gave clarifications to the queries from the Home Ministry.

He also said Puducherry was highlighted in the festivals resulting in 28 per cent growth in the arrival of foreign tourists into the Union Territory.

Unsatisfied with the Chief Minister's reply, Mr Viswanathan shot a suplimentarty seeking to know the expenses incurred for the trips.

However, by the time the member posed the question, the question hour came to and end and speaker R Radhakrishnan led the House to other business.

UNI