Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has not been granted political clearance by the Centre to travel to Paris to support the Indian hockey team at the Olympics, PTI reports, citing official source.
Mann, who is travelling on a diplomatic passport, had applied for political clearance in order to travel to Paris from August 3 to August 9 in order to see the Indian hockey team’s quarterfinal match on August 4. According to a state government source, the Centre refused to grant him permission, stating that Mann is a Z-Plus security protectee and his level of security cannot be quickly arranged.
The decision was communicated to the Chief Minister’s Office on Friday night, the source stated.
Senior political officials must obtain political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs before departing for international trips.
Mann had praised the Indian hockey team on Friday for their historic victory over Australia in the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris. For the first time since 1972, India defeated the strong team on Friday, winning 3-2. “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that India defeated Australia by 3-2. Harmanpreet Singh led the team to victory by scoring two goals in this important match,” Mann had said in his congratulatory message to the team.
In their last pool match, India defeated its rivals Australia, the silver medallists from the Tokyo Games, with a brace from captain Harmanpreet Singh.
(with inputs from PTI)