Foreign MPs to be Punjab state guests
By IANSThursday, January 6, 2011
CHANDIGARH - Members of Parliament (MPs) from other countries visiting Punjab will be accorded the status of state guests, the state government announced Thursday.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Thursday asked Chief Secretary S.C. Aggarwal to declare every visiting foreign MP as state guest of Punjab.
“This is as a gesture of goodwill and in consonance with Punjab’s traditional hospitable culture,” a state government spokesman said here.
This will entitle the visiting MPs to avail state government courtesies and facilities during their stay in Punjab.
Badal appealed to MPs of all countries to convey their itinerary of visit well in advance to the Punjab chief secretary so that necessary arrangements can be made for their visit.
MPs from many countries, especially US, Canada, Britain and European countries, including those of Indian-origin, keep visiting Punjab every year. Many foreign MPs are those who have a substantial Punjabi and Sikh population in their respective constituencies back home and want to connect to Punjab through their constituents.
