Centre Denies Travel Clearance to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

The Centre has denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for visiting Paris to support the Indian hockey team at the ongoing Olympic Games. Additionally, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was denied permission to visit the US for a conference. The decisions have sparked controversy and accusations of discrimination against Punjab.

The Centre has denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for travelling to Paris to support the Indian hockey team at the ongoing Olympic Games, an official source confirmed on Saturday.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was also denied permission to travel to the US for a legislative conference from August 4 to August 7.

The Centre cited Mann's Z-Plus security status as the reason for rejecting his request, stating that it was impossible to arrange his level of security at such short notice. The rejection has led to accusations of discrimination against Punjab by the central government.

(With inputs from agencies.)