Karnataka bans foreign tour by officials

Karnataka government has banned foreign tour by its officials for two months in view of the acute drought conditions gripping the state and need for coordinated effort to tackle the situation.

A government order on Saturday said all principal secretaries, secretaries and other top administration officials have been directed not to undertake foreign tours whether sponsored by the state government or any other agency for two months.

The order said there was need for coordinated effort by officials of all departments to engage themselves in drought relief works.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had rejected pleas by some legislators to undertake foreign visits, drawing their attention to the suggestions at an all party meet on April 19 to discuss the drought situation.

Some 123 taluks out of 176 in Karnataka have been reeling under drought and government has formed ministerial teams to visit the affected taluks and monitor relief works.

Opposition Congress leaders have also been visiting drought-hit areas.