New Delhi:
It's not many days old yet and Rahul Gandhi endorses it wholeheartedly, but the government's austerity drive has not gone down too well with some of its ministers.
Just a few days after External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his junior minister Shashi Tharoor were sternly asked to vacate their five-star hotel rooms, cabinet ministers are questioning the government's demand for simple living.
Cabinet ministers on Thursday raised queries about the new guidelines that include a ban on first class travel, conferences in five-star hotels and foreign junkets.
Some ministers spoke against the rules which mandate travel only on economy class.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had to finally intervene and say that this was only for one year till September 2010 and that it was left to one's discretion and approvals could be got. He said these were only guidelines.
But this is one issue that is close to the hearts of the Gandhis. Speaking in Chennai early on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said the political class should be austere and lead by example.
Just a few days after External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his junior minister Shashi Tharoor were sternly asked to vacate their five-star hotel rooms, cabinet ministers are questioning the government's demand for simple living.
Cabinet ministers on Thursday raised queries about the new guidelines that include a ban on first class travel, conferences in five-star hotels and foreign junkets.
Some ministers spoke against the rules which mandate travel only on economy class.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had to finally intervene and say that this was only for one year till September 2010 and that it was left to one's discretion and approvals could be got. He said these were only guidelines.
But this is one issue that is close to the hearts of the Gandhis. Speaking in Chennai early on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said the political class should be austere and lead by example.
