Sukhbir’s
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
Halqa Qila Raipur
24 September 2009