Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said that ministers cannot go on foreign trips without the approval of the Centre and no one has violated that procedure.
The CM was replying to reporters’ queries regarding the recent foreign trip of Local Self Government Minister K M Shaji amidst criticism from the LDF regarding his allegedly unauthorised trip to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, while in Europe.
“No one can go on foreign trips without the approval of the central government. That is the procedure. Everyone has followed the procedure. If you (media) find out that anyone has violated it, we will examine it then,” he said.
Earlier in the day, senior CPI(M) leader and former state minister K N Balagopal told a TV channel that permission from the CM and the central government was required for foreign trips, both official and unofficial.
Balagopal said that Shaji or the CM should disclose why the minister went to Prague which was reportedly not authorised as part of his European trip.
“They need to clarify why he went to a place for which permission had not been sought. The CM should ask him about it. People’s representative like him who are expected to set the example, should behave accordingly,” he contended.
This government is treating everything casually, he added.
Balagopal said the opposition wants transparency in such matters and it will raise the issue till the government or minister provides clarification.
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam told reporters that there are certain mandatory procedures to be followed by a minister while going on a foreign trip and not doing so is wrong.
But, the CM has given free reign to all the ministers to do as they wish, he claimed.
“This government is a failure in all respects as it is being controlled by those sponsoring the foreign trips or luxury cars,” he alleged.
(PTI News)
