Maha legislators’ study tour to Japan cancelled, min scraps vacation plan

Chaitanya.Marpakwar Mumbai: Assembly SpeakerRahul Narwekar on Tuesday said a study tour of Maharashtra’s legislators toJapan has been cancelled in response to PM Narendra Modi’s call for judicioususe of fuel and postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, among othermeasures to strengthen the economy in the wake of the West Asia conflict. Thetour to Japan was slated to take place from May 23 to June 2. State tourismminister Shambhuraje Desai also cancelled his scheduled trip to London andParis on Tuesday. Culture minister Ashish Shelar had declared on Mondaythat he was cancelling his trip to Cannes for the film festival. Around a dozen legislators were to travel to Japan foraround 10 days to visit Tokyo and the Yokohama and Wakayama prefectures. “Theprefectures of Yokohama and Wakayama had extended an invitation to theMaharashtra legislature. This is a tour to study and exchange bestparliamentary practices. The delegation was also going to visit the JapaneseDiet, which is their national parliament. However, in the wake of PM Modi’sappeal, we have decided to cancel this trip for now,” Narwekar said. Maharashtra and Japan’s Wakayama prefecture maintain a “sisterstate” relationship designed to foster economic, technological and culturalcollaboration. The partnership was first established in 2013 and was renewed in2023 for another five years, with plans to expand into new sectors through 2028.Officials said tourism minister Desai of the Shiv Sena hadplanned a family trip abroad around three months ago. “The trip included majorcities such as London, Paris and Amsterdam. It was going to be a planned familyvacation. However, Desai cancelled the tour in order to prioritize nationalinterest and to reach out to the public with the message of saving foreignexchange,” officials said. Shelar had announced on Monday that he would not beattending this year’s Cannes Film Festival in response to PM Modi’s appeal toprioritise national interest and exercise restraint in expenditure during thecurrent difficult situation facing the country. Shelar said a decision has beentaken to exercise restraint in departmental expenditure keeping national interestas the highest priority during challenging times.