Cut short foreign trip, CM tells legislators

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Tuesday that legislators who are on a foreign jaunt would be asked to cut short their trip and return in the wake of the drought gripping the State.

He was speaking to reporters before launching various development works at Hoovinahadagali in Bellary district.

The chief minister said it was wrong on the part of the legislators to undertake the trip at a time when several taluks were facing a drought. Shettar asserted legislators would not be allowed to go on trips abroad in future.

Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa also shares the chief minister’s views. Speaking to reporters in Shimoga, he said, “I was not in favour of the tour as several taluks in the State are reeling under severe drought.

However, legislators of all parties have gone on the study tour. The government is bearing travel expenses of only the legislators and not their family members.

They should have dropped the foreign tour plan on humanitarian grounds, at least for the time being. It’s left to the individuals. What can I do in this regard?” he said.

The Congress too is not happy with its legislators who are part of the jaunt. KPCC chief president G Parameshwara, who was in Chitradurga for inspection of drought relief works, told reporters on Tuesday that the legislators had been asked to return immediately.

Legislators from the party would be prevented from going on foreign trips in future, the State party chief said. Written instructions had been given in  this regard, he added.