Centre denies political clearance to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for his visit to Paris

NEW DELHI: The central government has denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his visit to Paris to watch the Olympics and support the Indian hockey team. According to reports, the central government denied permission to the Punjab CM saying that it cannot arrange sufficient security for him in Paris. Mann was scheduled to visit Paris from August 3 to 9.

According to official sources in the Punjab government, the Centre denied permission to Mann saying that Mann is a Z-plus security protectee and hence, it is not possible to arrange his level of security in Paris at a short notice.

Meanwhile, Punjab Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has also come out alleging that the Centre denied him permission to travel to the US. The Speaker had sought permission from the Centre to attend a conference in Kentucky from August 4 to 7.

As per the rule, senior political leaders holding diplomatic passports must obtain clearance from the central government before visiting foreign countries. Several leaders from opposition-ruled states such as Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka have recently been denied permission by the Centre to travel to foreign nations. In June, the Centre had denied political clearance to Kerala Health Minister Veena George for her visit to Kuwait following the massive fire accident in Kuwait.