Replying to Opposition members Bheemanna Khandre, Mukhyamanthri Chandru, Nafeeza Fazal and C Narayanareddy in the Legislative Council, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M C Nanaiah said the foreign tours undertaken were to acquire knowledge about the pace at which the other countries were developing, the life and culture there and also to attract investors to Karnataka.

He said although it was not possible to quantify the investment forthcoming to the state at this juncture, several foreign companies had shown their eagerness to invest in Karnataka, particularly in Bangalore, because of weather and skilled manpower. But he admitted that the inadequate infrastructure was the only concern for them.

Even as other Opposition members took exception to such foreign jaunts by ministers with no specific reason, Nanaiahmaintained that such tours abroad would certainly benefit the State.

OFFICERS' TOURS: To a question by B S Horatti, Nanaiah said the Government had incurred an expenditure of Rs 12 crore on foreign tours by 240 officers since three years.

Horatti and others criticised the Government for transferring the officers, who are sent on study tour, to departments where their study cannot be put to use.

Nanaiah told K C Puttasidda Shetty that the Cabinet sub-committee had sought details from the heads of all departments with regard to the number of posts of officers and officials to be abolished with a view to cut down the costs.

It had been decided to reduce the number of posts by five per cent. The committee would submit its report in three months, Nanaiah added.

Nanaiah informed Ramachandre Gowda of the BJP the concurrence of the Karnataka High Court was awaited to eatablish a High Court bench in Hubli-Dharwad for which Chief Minister J H Patel had assured all help.

Soon after getting theconcurrence, the state government will examine a proposal for a High Court bench in Gulbarga which has been a demand of the north Karnataka region for several years.

The Council members observed two minute silence to condole the demise of former members of the council Padmavathy Vittal Rao, L T Karle and S T Khalgi.