Junkets are back. After the Congress' self-imposed austerity measures a couple of years ago, the government has decided to send high-level delegations of Members of Parliament to six countries to keep MPs in high spirits (no pun intended).

This seems to be the brainchild of Urban Development minister Kamal Nath, who presented a background paper on the subject, which was approved by the political leadership.

The countries where the lucky MPs will be visiting include Turkey, Vietnam, the US (Washington), France (Paris) and China.

At least 200 MPs will receive this largesse and get to spend between 10 to 15 days this summer (while the rest of us wilt in the sesring Delhi heat). On the anvil are discussions and deliberations to ensure India gets a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Polls are likely to be announced by September  2013, which is when the work actually begins. An union minister is believed to have told Kamal Nath, "what  an idea. sirji!"