No permission for Saudi visit: Chief Minister's Gulf tour begins tomorrow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Ministry of External Affairs has given permission for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Gulf tour. Permission has been given to visit countries other than Saudi Arabia. The Chief Minister and his team, who are travelling to the Gulf countries, have decided to travel on various dates till December 1. Minister Saji Cherian and Personal Assistant V M Suneesh have also received official travel permission along with the Chief Minister.

The Union Ministry of External Affairs had earlier granted permission to visit Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman, but there was uncertainty regarding Saudi Arabia. The Chief Minister's tour will begin from Bahrain. The Chief Minister's public program for the Bahrain Keraleeya Samaj is scheduled on the 16th. The purpose of the visit is to explain the government's work and new projects for the expatriates, and to participate in NORKA and Malayalam Mission programs.