Patents panel plan foreign junket, two members object

Since the committee has completed most of its work, the question being raised is how will the cash-guzzling foreign junket contribute to the panel’s report. Interestingly, the objection has been raised by two BJP MPs — Kirit Somaiya and M A K Swain — who are part of the committee.

In a letter to the committee chairman, Somaiya sought to disassociate himself from the tour. “I am shocked to know that the committee has finalised the tour of the foreign countries. It is totally irrelevant as most of its work has been completed,” he wrote.

“All the information relating to the bill,” he added, “is already available here. Only the draft remains to be finalised now. If any further information is required, it can be obtained through the internet, the commerce and industry ministries, the Indian consulates in these countries orthrough their consulates in India.”

Incidentally, a joint select committee on the agricultural plant varieties bill, which was formed at the same time, has already submitted its recommendations.