
Centre denies political clearance to Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh for US visit, AAP slams move
Singh was invited to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit 2025, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts, from August 4 to 6. With this, he becomes the fourth AAP minister or senior functionary from Punjab to be refused permission for foreign travel by the Centre.
According to sources, all political leaders require clearance from the MEA for overseas visits. In this instance, the clearance was denied citing security reasons.
Responding to the development, Minister Harbhajan Singh expressed disappointment, stating, 'The summit would have been a valuable learning experience and a chance to engage with legislators and policy innovators from around the world. It could have helped bring back progressive ideas for the benefit of Punjab.'
When asked why the clearance was denied, Singh said, 'The MEA would know better.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NDTV
10 minutes ago
- NDTV
AAP, BJP Play Blame Game Over Rising Dengue, Malaria Cases In Delhi
A blame game has started in Delhi between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday over the rising cases of vector-borne diseases in the national capital. Both are trading accusations, while health experts warn of a potential surge if timely interventions are not implemented. To put the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government in the dock, the AAP has alleged that malaria cases in Delhi have broken a 10-year record. According to official figures, Delhi has reported 277 dengue cases, 124 malaria infections, and 18 cases of chikungunya so far this monsoon season. AAP Trains Guns At MCD AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the rising disease numbers reflected larger issues with civic infrastructure. "Malaria cases in Delhi have broken a 10-year record. This isn't just a number, it's a symptom of how deeply mismanaged the city is," he said during a press conference on Friday. Pointing to the instances of waterlogging in Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar, and Janpath, Mr. Bharadwaj said, "BJP ministers repeatedly claim there's no waterlogging, but the rising malaria cases tell a different story. The AAP has also said it will raise the matter in the Delhi Assembly session on August 4. मलेरिया के आंकड़े पिछले 10 साल में सबसे ज़्यादा‼️ BJP की सरकार ने कहा था कि इस बार दिल्ली में जलभराव नहीं होगा लेकिन इस बार CP और सदर बाजार समेत तमाम जगहों पर जलभराव हुआ लेकिन बीजेपी सरकार ने मानने से ही इनकार कर दिया। अब दिल्ली में मलेरिया के आंकड़े पिछले 10 साल के आंकड़े को… — Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) August 1, 2025 Mayor Hits Back Responding to the allegations, Delhi Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh defended the MCD's efforts and questioned AAP's performance during its tenure at the municipal level. AAP ran the MCD for two-and-a-half years. Did they eradicate mosquito breeding? They didn't even release full data on dengue and malaria cases then," Mr Singh said. He also highlighted the civic body's recent initiatives to prevent mosquito breeding and vector-borne diseases, which include spraying at 49,718 locations, conducting 8.2 lakh home inspections, and issuing over 5,600 legal notices for mosquito breeding violations. "We're acting on a war footing. These baseless accusations by AAP are just a political diversion," Mr Singh said, adding that AAP leaders have not been active participants in health discussions. Between Politics and Public Health, Residents Want Solutions As political back and forth continues, residents say they're more concerned about on-ground response than party positions. "We don't want daily updates on blame. We want clean streets, regular spraying, and health camps," said a resident in West Delhi.


Hindustan Times
40 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
New Delhi Police chief orders daily foot patrols by senior officers
On his first day in office, newly appointed Delhi Police commissioner SBK Singh directed all district deputy commissioners of police and station house officers to conduct two hours of foot patrol daily to improve police visibility in the capital city. The order was issued during a meeting with senior officers at the police headquarters on Friday. S.B.K. Singh (right) takes over as Delhi Police commissioner from Sanjay Arora at the police headquarters on Thursday (HT Photo) An officer familiar with the directive said the patrols will take place from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. 'The CP stressed that senior officers must also be seen on the ground, not just the lower ranks,' the officer said. Singh also instructed that two officials — including a woman officer — must be present at all times at the public facilitation desk in every police station. While the woman officer will attend to complaints related to women, the second official will handle cybercrime related grievances. In a bid to uphold the force's integrity, the commissioner asked assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) to keep a close watch on sub-inspectors in their jurisdictions. 'He flagged concerns over recent arrests of Delhi Police officials by the Central Bureau of Investigation on corruption charges and said ACPs must monitor investigating officers more closely, especially sub-inspectors,' said another officer present at the meeting. The commissioner further told DCPs to inspect police stations in their districts regularly, not sporadically, and to ensure proper upkeep of facilities. 'He emphasised that police stations must maintain basic infrastructure standards and that public facilitation desks should be clean, staffed and fully functional,' the officer added. Singh also reviewed the Independence Day security preparations and instructed DCPs to step up security checks in their respective areas.


Indian Express
40 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Delhi Police's new chief reviews security prep ahead of Independence Day
A day after taking charge as the Delhi Police Commissioner, S B K Singh on Friday held a series of meetings with senior officers to assess security arrangements in the Capital ahead of Independence Day. The meeting, which went on for almost two hours, was attended by district deputy commissioners, range joint commissioners and special commissioners. An officer said the meeting emphasised on surveillance measures to be intensified in sensitive areas, increased patrolling and vigilance. Traffic management in and around the area of the Red Fort for the day of the celebrations and the days leading up to it was also discussed. Senior officers were asked to personally supervise security drills and verify the deployment of quick reaction teams, bomb disposal squads, and sniffer dog units. Further, a crime review meeting with DCPs of all 15 districts was also held to ensure foolproof law and order arrangements in the city. Singh directed all DCPs to intensify night patrolling and maintain additional vigil across Delhi, especially in areas bordering neighbouring states. He instructed that barricading and random checking should be strengthened at all entry points to the city to prevent the movement of suspicious elements and illegal arms, officers said. Singh directed that strict checking should be carried out at hotels, guest houses, bus terminals, railway and metro stations, malls, and high-footfall markets. 'The Commissioner focused heavily on anti-terror measures being intensified before Independence Day. He also instructed that a close watch be kept on groups that may try to sabotage the celebrations…,' said an officer. Further, the police will be keeping an eye on social media to detect suspicious communications or plans of mobilisation, he added. As part of the city-wide safety strategy, police teams will conduct tenant verifications and background checks of staff employed in hotels and commercial establishments, said officers.