Karnataka legislators return, enlightened by tour guides; defend Junket

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsThe 13 Karnataka legislators who returned from their 15-day “study tour” to South America in the wee hours on Saturday, said they would submit a report to the Assembly Speaker on their “findings” to improve various sectors in the state.Only, the source of their “findings” seem to be tour guides and ordinary people. None of the legislators said they had met any local officials at Argentina, Brazil and Peru to understand how they successfully managed sectors like water, tourism and transport. And with this “useful information”, Congress MLA BC Patil said he even plans to pen a travelogue titled Baragaladalli Baduku — Life in the Time of Drought. “Although they are backward countries compared to India, they have developed infrastructure. Peru’s capital Lima hardly receives 5 cm rain, but still people have survived. Their economy depends entirely on tourism.”The escalators at the famous Jesus Christ statue at Rio de Janeiro gave Patil an idea. “We can have a similar facility at Shravanabelagola to help the aged climb the hillock to see Bahubali.” Defending the decision to go on the tour despite criticism, Patil said: “Why shouldn’t we go on a junket? Are we committing theft or dacoity? It is our privilege as legislators. “We are like frogs in a well and don’t know what is happening in other places. As lawmakers, we need to visit other countries to replicate good done work there,” he said. MLC Doddarange Gowda, who was impressed by tourism and water management in South America, said: “We were also there to promote the culture of our state. Hence, reports of us wasting government money are wrong. Nobody asked me to come back. I didn’t want to waste the money that was already paid.”BJP MLA Chandrakanth Bellad was also impressed by the tourism sector there.“After the visit, I felt we have not done enough to promote tourism in Karnataka. Small countries in South America are flourishing, thanks to tourism revenue. They have prospered without harming the nature,” he observed. He plans to recommend to the government to improve coastal tourism. He also said not enough encouragement was being given to sports like football and gymnastics.first published:September 16, 2012, 09:16 ISTlast updated:September 16, 2012, 09:16 IST
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The 13 Karnataka legislators who returned from their 15-day “study tour” to South America in the wee hours on Saturday, said they would submit a report to the Assembly Speaker on their “findings” to improve various sectors in the state.

Only, the source of their “findings” seem to be tour guides and ordinary people. None of the legislators said they had met any local officials at Argentina, Brazil and Peru to understand how they successfully managed sectors like water, tourism and transport.

And with this “useful information”, Congress MLA BC Patil said he even plans to pen a travelogue titled Baragaladalli Baduku — Life in the Time of Drought.

“Although they are backward countries compared to India, they have developed infrastructure. Peru’s capital Lima hardly receives 5 cm rain, but still people have survived. Their economy depends entirely on tourism.”

The escalators at the famous Jesus Christ statue at Rio de Janeiro gave Patil an idea. “We can have a similar facility at Shravanabelagola to help the aged climb the hillock to see Bahubali.” Defending the decision to go on the tour despite criticism, Patil said: “Why shouldn’t we go on a junket? Are we committing theft or dacoity? It is our privilege as legislators.

“We are like frogs in a well and don’t know what is happening in other places. As lawmakers, we need to visit other countries to replicate good done work there,” he said. MLC Doddarange Gowda, who was impressed by tourism and water management in South America, said: “We were also there to promote the culture of our state. Hence, reports of us wasting government money are wrong. Nobody asked me to come back. I didn’t want to waste the money that was already paid.”

BJP MLA Chandrakanth Bellad was also impressed by the tourism sector there.

“After the visit, I felt we have not done enough to promote tourism in Karnataka. Small countries in South America are flourishing, thanks to tourism revenue. They have prospered without harming the nature,” he observed. He plans to recommend to the government to improve coastal tourism. He also said not enough encouragement was being given to sports like football and gymnastics.