(a) the amount of foreign exchange being provided by the
Government to the Members of Parliament for study tours
at present;
(b) whether the Government propose to increase the said
amount so that the members of Parliament are able to make best use of study tours;
(c) if so, the details thereof ; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (BALASAHEB VIKHE PATIL)
(a) to (d): Foreign exchange equivalent to Rs. 1,00,000 is
permitted to a Member of Parliament for study tour during
his/her tenure as a Member of Parliament. Besides, a Member
of Parliament can also avail of the facility of basic travel
quota (Foreign Travel Scheme), which has recently been
enhanced from US $ 3,000 in one calendar year to US $ 5,000 in
one calendar year under the Foreign Exchange Management
Act,. from 1st June, 2000.