Close X
Sunday, December 1, 2024
ADVT 
India

After Sushma Swaraj's Intervention, Canada Says Punjab's AAP Legislators Can Visit Country Any Time

IANS, 24 Oct, 2018 12:42 AM
    Months after turning back two Punjab legislators belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party from the Ottawa airport, Canada has written to India saying that the lawmakers can visit the country, an official said on Tuesday.
     
     
    Canadian authorities, in a communication to India's Ministry of External Affairs through the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, have said that both the legislators could travel to Canada whenever they chose to. 
     
     
    "I have been informed that the Canadian Border Services Agency has conveyed to our Mission in Ottawa that due to privacy legislation, they are unable to provide further details in the matter. However, they have also conveyed that Mr. Kultar Singh and Mr. Amarjit Singh are eligible to return to Canada, if they choose to do so, at any future time," Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a communication to Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana K.P. Singh, according to a spokesman for the Speaker. 
     
     
    Amarjit Singh and Kultar Singh, members of Punjab Legislative Assembly, were sent back from the Ottawa international Airport by the Canadian Immigration Authorities on July 21 despite their having the required travel documents.
     
     
    The Assembly Speaker had written to Swaraj about the matter on July 25, the spokesman said. 
     
     
    Swaraj informed the Speaker that the Indian High Commission in Ottawa strongly raised this matter with the Canadian government. 
     
     
    "We will continue to pursue the matter with the Canadian side to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. I also urge you to kindly ensure that the Government of India's guidelines on foreign travels are followed by legislators in future and our Mission and Post in Canada are kept informed about such travels," Swaraj said in her letter.
     
     
    The Speaker has advised all MLAs to follow the prescribed procedures for their foreign visits, including obtaining political clearance from the Union Ministry of External Affairs, and providing prior information to the Indian Missions abroad.
     
     
    Canada is home to a strong Punjabi Diaspora, which has settled over three decades and prospered.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Rape Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal Gets Rousing Reception In Jalandhar

    Franco Mulakkal smiled as followers showered rose petals on him. Till a few weeks ago, he held charge as the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese.

    Rape Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal Gets Rousing Reception In Jalandhar

    MJ Akbar Resigns From Modi Goverment Over #MeToo Allegations; ‘Vindicated’, Says Priya Ramani

    The #MeToo campaign claimed its first political scalp on Wednesday when M.J. Akbar quit as Minister of State for External Affairs ten days after several women came out with allegations of sexual harassment and molestation by him during his days as editor in the media.

    MJ Akbar Resigns From Modi Goverment Over #MeToo Allegations; ‘Vindicated’, Says Priya Ramani

    4-Year-Old Boy Injured As Radio Jockeys Throw CD At Event In Ahmedabad

    The alleged incident took place on the night of October 12. The FIR names Radio Jockeys Devaki, Aayush, Dhrumil, Nishita and Harsh.

    4-Year-Old Boy Injured As Radio Jockeys Throw CD At Event In Ahmedabad

    As Pakistan Debts Rise, Government Vehicles At Auction To Raise Funds

    As Pakistan Debts Rise, Government Vehicles At Auction To Raise Funds
    The government led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has announced that it would auction a total of 102 luxury cars under the austerity drive.

    As Pakistan Debts Rise, Government Vehicles At Auction To Raise Funds

    12-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Himself With Uncle’s Pistol, Dies

    12-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Himself With Uncle’s Pistol, Dies
    A 12-year-boy died after he accidently shot himself while handling a country-made pistol in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, police said Wednesday. Police have arrested his uncle, to whom the gun allegedly belonged.

    12-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Himself With Uncle’s Pistol, Dies

    In Big Boost, Jaswant's Son Manvendra Singh Joins Congress

    In a big boost to the Congress ahead of Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Manvendra Singh, son of former Union Minister and one of the founders of the BJP, Jaswant Singh, joined the Congress on Wednesday.

    In Big Boost, Jaswant's Son Manvendra Singh Joins Congress