Punjab Speaker Criticizes Central Government for Blocking CM Mann's Paris Trip

By A Staff Reporter

Chandigarh: Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan criticized the central government for blocking Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visit to Paris, where he intended to support Indian hockey players, many of whom are from Punjab.

"Most of the players in the Indian hockey team are from Punjab and to encourage them, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann wanted to go to Paris," Sandhwan said. He emphasized the importance of the CM's support, adding, "If a Chief Minister wants to take time out from his busy schedule and go to Paris then they (the central government) should encourage him."

Highlighting discrepancies in sports budget allocation, Sandhwan remarked, "The central government allocated a lot of budget to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh for sports... What did they get from it?" He concluded by condemning the central government's action, saying, "They have stopped him from going to Paris. This is not good."