Chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s France visit has set off a political controversy in Punjab, with the Opposition alleging that he left for a foreign tour at a time when the state faces a grave drug crisis and the family of an anti-drug activist awaits justice.
He also hit out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the drug menace, saying: “At a time Punjab is burning in the fire of drug abuse, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is heading for France with his wife to celebrate his birthday instead of addressing the suffering of the people. He added: “The chief minister’s conduct amid such a grave crisis raises serious questions about the government’s priorities and its sensitivity towards the people of Punjab.
Punjab is gripped by fear and insecurity, yet the chief minister appears more concerned about his foreign trip than confronting this crisis, he said. Chugh said taxpayers’ money must not be used to finance private celebrations or family leisure trips.
Some opposition leaders also alleged Mann was taking his wife along on the trip to celebrate his birthday. The MARKFED was allotted a stall in the India Pavilion by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) – a body under the Union ministry of commerce and industry. Mann was to lead a delegation which would also comprise the chief secretary and the principal secretary to the chief minister.
Mann turned 53 on Saturday. The tour is in connection with participation of the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. (MARKFED), the apex cooperative of the state, in the international food trade show, SIAL 2026, in Paris from October 17 to October 21.
