Siddhu went to Pakistan at government expense on Imran Khan's oath: RTI

New Delhi: 27 December 2019, Friday

The shocking details were revealed that cricketer cum politician Navjot Singh Sidhu had traveled at the government expense to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Pakistan Cricket cum Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Sidhu described the tour as his private tour. But details that did not go to Pakistan on their own money came out recently under the RTI Act. From his residence in Amritsar to the Wagah border, taxi patrols and driver's remuneration, his travel allowance and Daily Ascension were also recovered from the state government of Punjab.

The Akali Dal had recently questioned the Sidhu's visit that despite the refusal of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the then Punjab Cabinet-level minister, Sidhu, visited Pakistan in the name of a private tour to the people of Punjab. On August 17, 2018, Sidhu passed by Amritsar on the Wagah border taxi which was billed by the state government for Rs 1320. On the other hand, he was on a trip to Pakistan, but he also recovered Rs 1,500 daily allowance as a legislator and cabinet minister. The taxi driver had paid Rs 333 for remuneration.

On August 18th, the driver's remuneration was again charged at Rs 333. On August 19, the taxi fares from the Wagah border to Chandigarh charged Rs 5,550. On the same day, he also recovered Rs. 750 daily allowance as MLA.

The Akali Dal had challenged the state government about all these expenses, and on what basis was it paid to Sidhu's visit to Pakistan, and why?

The interesting detail is that Sidhu claimed to the media that I welcome the advice of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh not to go to Pakistan but let me tell you that I am going to visit Pakistan as Imran Khan's friend, not as Punjab minister. This is not a government tour.

The Akali Dal has further said that Sidhu was in Pakistan, then why did he take the daily allowance of being a MLA? Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife claimed that Sidhu had not taken any daily allowance but it was reported in the information provided under RTI that Siddhu had taken the allowance.