The Central government has denied political clearance to Punjab Power and Public Works Department Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO for his planned trip to the United States. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was invited to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit 2025, which is scheduled to take place in Boston, Massachusetts, from August 4 to 6.
The official communication denying the necessary political clearance was reportedly received by the Punjab government on Thursday. This decision marks the fourth time a minister or senior official from Punjab's AAP government has been denied permission for foreign travel by the Centre.
Previous instances include:
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann: Last year, Mann was denied clearance to travel to Paris to attend a hockey match during the Olympics.
- Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan: He was refused permission for a visit to Kentucky, USA.
- New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora: In 2022, Arora was denied clearance for a proposed visit to Europe, where he intended to study advancements in the hydrogen energy sector.
The invitation for Harbhajan Singh ETO was a joint effort by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Legislators' Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat). According to a press release from the Punjab government on July 28, the invitation was extended in recognition of the minister's "notable contributions to legislative governance and public administration."
The NCSL Legislative Summit is considered a major global event for legislative leaders, staff, and policymakers, offering a platform for learning, networking, and the exchange of innovative ideas. Harbhajan Singh ETO had previously stated that the summit would provide an opportunity to connect with peers and policy innovators from around the world, which would enable him to bring back "innovative ideas and best practices" for the benefit of Punjab.
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