THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his team returned to the state last night after 11-day foreign trip to Japan and Korea. A team led by Chief Minister along with Ministers E P Jayarajan, A K Saseendran and chief secretary Tom Jose visited the places. The tour aimed at attracting more investments to the state. According to official figures, an amount of Rs 80 lakh was spent for the trip. Even though the family members accompanied them, their expenses were not met by the government.

The opposition raised the question as to how the state could benefit from these trips. Why should the chief minister go to make a deal with the university in Japan, either the higher education secretary or the vice chancellor should have sent for it, asked opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. Charge was not given to any ministers in the absence of the chief minister. The usual cabinet meet was not convened last week. This week’s cabinet meet will be convened tomorrow.