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In a reply to an RTI query, the Lok Sabha Secretariat clearly said that MPs travelling on official assignments should not seek five-star hotel comforts.
But that is precisely what MPs N N Krishnadas (CPI-M), Jaisingrao Gaikwad Patil (NCP), Lal Mani Prasad (BSP) and Bhupendrasinh Solanki (BJP) were enjoying on November 26, when terrorists struck the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.
The lawmakers were in Mumbai as part of a 15-member Lok Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation to hold meetings with the top brass of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and other Public Sector Undertakings.
"Committee members or accompanying officers shall not ask for any particular hotel or five star hotel comforts etc.," the Secretariat said in its reply dated February 25 while answering the RTI application of one Bimal Khemani of Aligarh.
"Four members of our team were staying in the Taj Hotel which was booked by HPCL, which was our host. Some more members were expected to come but they could not come," the panel chairman Krishnadas said.
Krishnadas had last year recounted the "nightmarish" experience of the terror attacks and how he and others had ducked under tables to escape bullets.
The cost of board, lodging and transport of the committee during the tour will be borne by the Lok Sabha Secretariat as per the guidelines and not by the Public undertakings or organisations concerned, the RTI reply said.
"But till the time reply was dispatched these members had not submitted any bills of the visit which hints that it was actually HPCL which may have paid the bills," Khemani said.
Despite repeated requests, HPCL authorities did not comment on the issue.
The guidelines clearly mention that during the visits of such committee members, the ministries and state governments concerned shall be requested "to make arrangements regarding accommodation for the committee... and the officers in a Government Guest House including Guest House of Public Undertaking, MLA Hostel, Circuit House etc.," the reply says.
"Where Government guest house is not available... arrangements may be made for the stay in Government owned Hotel," it says.
It also says that arrangements for the committee shall be dignified but not ostentatious and should not leave room for adverse criticism from the media or the public.
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Notr only All committees are enjoying lavish hospitality, but lavish gifts too. generally Committee members make their Choices clear to the host. Thanks to RTI atleast Public knows. However, this is Practice and Publi may not be able to do anything unless ask for Disciplinary Action against the concerned officials who had violated the norms and sanctioned such Expenditures on the Netas. Netas will go scot free becuase of the Parliamentry Priviledges.
Thanks to the media for highlighting this.
By their diabolic, trecherous acts the Indian politicians have all earned the right to be beaten by chappel by the public which elects to lead them. (of course there are backdoor entries like MMS who became a "leader" via Rajya Sabha, and they would have their day too under the shoe). If the shoe or chappel hits the target then it would be a great deal more satisfying than when it misses it. I wish people like Jarnail Singh had indulged in a bit of target practice before attempting their hurl. The more closer the "leaders" to the ruling party at the Centre, the more perfect target they become for this show of respect. Great job Jarnail Singh. Keep it up!
These netas from all spectrum of parties will never learn to serve the nation. Instead they serve themselves at 5* hotels. The sooner we kicks these rogues out of power, the better and faster will we Bharatiyas improve and survive with dignity. Vote these scum out of power and let us take no nonsense henceforth from these netas.
If our public enterprises are not paying the cost of our royalty, then who will pay it? This is the benefit of running business in the name of our government.
OUR POLITICIANS IN GENERAL AND ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AS MPs AND MLAs etc splurge public money like water. THEY ARE INFACT TRAITORS OF THE COUNTRY IN MY FRANK OPINION AS CRORES OF PEOPLE ARE STARVING OR STRUGGLING FOR MAKING BTH ENDS MEET. THIS IS WHY WE COME ACROSS TERRORISM AS POLITICIANS DON't CARE FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.B S Ganesh BANGALORE
THIS HYPOCRATE COMMUNIST MEMBER WHO STAYED IN A 5 STAR HOTEL SHOULD BE OUSTED FROM THE PARTY. HE MUST BE HANGED TO DEATH Y THE NEAREST TREE. THYE PREACH SIMPLYSM AND THEY ENJOY THEMSELVES AT PEASENTS COST WHOM THEY SAY THEY REPRESENT. BULL SHIT. ALL THE MPS MUST BE BOOTED OUT DURING THIS ELECTION.
They were serving the nation!
THESE SEVAKS OF JANATA, WHO WERE ENJOYING THE FIVE STAR FACILITIES AT TAXPAYERS' EXPENSE SHOULD BE BOOTED OUT IN NEXT ELECTIONS. I AM ALSO SURPRISED THAT MEMBERS OF BSP AND CPI-M, WHO PROFESS TO BE THE PEOPLE FOR AAM AADMI WERE AMONG THEM. ANYWAY, THROW THE BUMS OUT!