Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed concern over Rahul Gandhi's frequent foreign visits, underscoring the need for MPs to adhere to parliamentary protocol by notifying the Secretariat well in advance of such trips. He said the Congress leader has made 54 foreign trips since 2004.
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at Lok Sabha MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's alleged expenses on foreign trips, union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju raised questions on the visit. Rijiju urged Rahul to inform the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariat in advance of his visits, and further disclose the details if he has accepted any foreign hospitality.
“The matter of Rahul Gandhi's unannounced and announced foreign visits have raised a serious question. Every MP is required to inform the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat 3 weeks in advance for their foreign visit,” Rijiju said, adding that this was not for permission but for information purposes.
“MPs can travel abroad but information have to be given. If a particular MP is to accept the foreign hospitality, the expenditure to be borne by the agencies/organisations whoever invites the MP will have to come under the FCRA…” Rijiju told reporters, according to a news agency.Union minister Rijiju further cited the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA), saying Rahul was required to inform the ministry of home affairs if he accepts any foreign hospitality.
Highlighting Gandhi's 54 trips abroad since 2004, Rijiju stressed the importance of transparency regarding the expenses incurred during these visits. He reiterated that these regulations apply to all MPs, urging Rahul Gandhi to comply with the notification requirement to avoid any perception of bias or targeting.
“It is not limited to 54 trips but how many days he has stayed outside India and what are the expenditures he has incurred...” he said. “He has to inform the Lok Sabha Speaker 3 weeks before the proposed foreign visit and if he has to accept the foreign hospitality then he has to inform the MHA under FCRA,” Rijiju added.
He urged the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha to “specify” the details of his visits, including of those who had invited him and the “expenditures incurred in his name spent by the agencies/organisations outside India.”Rijiju stated that “law is for everyone”, adding, “...If anything happens, if some actions are initiated, Govt should not be blamed for targeting Rahul Gandhi or a particular person.”
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