Mumbai: In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for judicious use of fuel and postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel to strengthen the economy amid the West Asia conflict, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Tuesday announced the cancellation of a study tour to Japan for state legislators. The tour, scheduled from May 23 to June 2, was intended to visit Tokyo and the Yokohama and Wakayama prefectures.
Details of the Cancelled Japan Tour
Around a dozen legislators were to travel to Japan for approximately 10 days. The prefectures of Yokohama and Wakayama had extended an invitation to the Maharashtra legislature. The tour aimed to study and exchange best parliamentary practices, including a visit to the Japanese Diet, the national parliament. However, in light of PM Modi's appeal, the decision to cancel the trip was made. Maharashtra and Japan's Wakayama prefecture maintain a sister state relationship, established in 2013 and renewed in 2023 for another five years, focusing on economic, technological, and cultural collaboration.
Ministers Cancel Foreign Trips
State Tourism Minister Shambhuraje Desai of the Shiv Sena also cancelled his scheduled trip to London and Paris on Tuesday. Officials revealed that Desai had planned a family trip abroad around three months ago, covering major cities such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam. However, Desai cancelled the tour to prioritize national interest and to convey the message of saving foreign exchange to the public.
Earlier, Culture Minister Ashish Shelar had declared on Monday that he would not attend this year's Cannes Film Festival. Shelar stated that the decision was taken to exercise restraint in departmental expenditure, keeping national interest as the highest priority during the challenging times. The cancellation of these trips underscores the government's commitment to fiscal discipline and support for the Prime Minister's call for economic prudence.
