International BusinessMPs goodwill visit to Egypt, Greece put off as austerity step
The first foreign visit by a delegation of the 15th Lok Sabha has become a victim of austerity measure.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has cancelled a goodwill visit by MPs to Egypt and Greece from September 28.
Bansal was to lead the delegation during the 10-day tour.
The decision was taken in view of the austerity measures initiated by the government in view of the drought, officials said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi had only a couple of days back conveyed to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his deputy Shashi Tharoor to shift out of their temporary accommodations in five-star hotels.
The Finance Ministry had only recently appealed to all ministries to observe austerity measures and the Prime Minister"s Office had asked ministers to undertake foreign tours if absolutely necessary.
A meeting of the Congress Working Committee last month had asked party Ministers, MPs, MLAs and office bearers to donate 20 per cent of their salary for drought relief.