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145. Sukhbir Frequent Overseas Trips Represent Nil Return for Punjab
Ludhiana, Sep. 24, 2009
Yesterday, a Special Court sanctioned another overseas trip for Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, although the State remains in the dark as to the why. Everyone recalls his one month world tour after the Parliamentary elections – when Sukhbir headed for the skies ignoring the power problems, farmer suicides and the families denied their atta dal.
Why does our Deputy Chief Minister spend so much time overseas? More curious: what does he do there? His family is here. His heart is allegedly here. His work is most definitely here. Yet, time and again, he trots off to Dubai (and other places) without explanation. Is he an ardent collector of frequent flier miles?
Dubai, for most of us, is a transit city, or one to visit for a day or two to see what the fuss is about. What it is, sadly, better known as is a global hub for money laundering, for housing ill-gotten gains, no questions asked. It is curious that it appears to be the favourite destination of our Deputy CM.
Does he take his private jet? Why is he so secretive? Why are his trips not official and scheduled? I demand that in future Sukbir announce his detailed travel agendas and file his report publicly on return.
Why does Sukhbir not use his trips to engage with the NRI community? In the USA last year he failed to attend a single Punjabi community function. As Minister for NRI Affairs he should use these trips to engage with the NRI community, but instead he hides from them. And why does he refuse to visit Canada? Why has he not announced his NRI agenda? What has he achieved for Punjab with these numerous overseas visits?
I challenge Sukhbir to publish his travel details for the last year. Where he stayed, what he did when he was there, and how he travelled and who paid for the trips. Let’s also ask him to show us the flight log from his private jet(s). Let’s see what our Secretive Sukhbir is up to beyond our shores.
Jassi Khangura, MLA |