<p>A section of legislators, who were in the eye of a storm for embarking on a foreign tour when the State was reeling under drought, on Sunday claimed they had not received any instruction from the State government to cut short their trip and return.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“There was no message from the State government or the chief minister’s office,” Congress legislator B C Patil said, when his reaction was sought whether they were asked to come back. His views were echoed by BJP MLA Chandrakanth Bellad.<br /><br />Patil and Bellad were part of a 13-member legislators’ group, which returned to Bangalore on Saturday after a 15-day study tour of South America.<br /><br />Following public outrage over the trip when the State was facing a severe drought, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar had told reporters on September 5 that he had directed the legislators to cancel the visit and return immediately.<br /><br />Report on foreign trip<br /><br />Bellad said they would soon submit a report on the tour, with suggestions to improve various sectors in the State. The team had visited Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Dubai. <br />“Brazil has made best use of nature and tourism thrives in the country. We too have bountiful nature and need to do more to promote tourism,” Bellad said.<br /><br />He pointed out that the South American countries had tapped their human resources to optimum levels. <br /><br />Patil pointed out that Peru’s capital Lima was rain deficient. Yet, extensive use of drip irrigation had made them leading exporters of potato. <br /><br />“The State government has much to learn from these developing countries,” Patil said.<br /></p>
<p>A section of legislators, who were in the eye of a storm for embarking on a foreign tour when the State was reeling under drought, on Sunday claimed they had not received any instruction from the State government to cut short their trip and return.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“There was no message from the State government or the chief minister’s office,” Congress legislator B C Patil said, when his reaction was sought whether they were asked to come back. His views were echoed by BJP MLA Chandrakanth Bellad.<br /><br />Patil and Bellad were part of a 13-member legislators’ group, which returned to Bangalore on Saturday after a 15-day study tour of South America.<br /><br />Following public outrage over the trip when the State was facing a severe drought, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar had told reporters on September 5 that he had directed the legislators to cancel the visit and return immediately.<br /><br />Report on foreign trip<br /><br />Bellad said they would soon submit a report on the tour, with suggestions to improve various sectors in the State. The team had visited Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Dubai. <br />“Brazil has made best use of nature and tourism thrives in the country. We too have bountiful nature and need to do more to promote tourism,” Bellad said.<br /><br />He pointed out that the South American countries had tapped their human resources to optimum levels. <br /><br />Patil pointed out that Peru’s capital Lima was rain deficient. Yet, extensive use of drip irrigation had made them leading exporters of potato. <br /><br />“The State government has much to learn from these developing countries,” Patil said.<br /></p>
