Officials holding up visit to Ghana for Commonwealth meet: Speaker

Delhi assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Friday alleged that the finance department recently returned a file related to his proposed visit to Ghana next month for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in October, and indicated to his office that the trip requires the lieutenant governor's (LG) approval.

- Alok KN Mishra

"The finance department has said that the Speaker needs the approval of the LG to visit Ghana. It is highly objectionable. The Speaker does not work under the LG!" Goel said at a press briefing at the Delhi assembly.

He added that he may approach the Lok Sabha Speaker on the "frivolous" objection raised by the finance department if it does not approve the file.

To be sure, assembly officials said that the Speaker does not require the LG's approval for travelling abroad; but the approval of the finance department is mandatory for incurring expenditure on foreign tours.