Chandigarh, Dec 7: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said his ongoing 10-day investment tour to Japan and South Korea reflects a “new era of accountability,” contrasting it with foreign trips taken by former leaders that allegedly drained public funds without benefiting the state.
During roadshows in Tokyo and Osaka, the chief minister told investors that Punjab is now “the safest and most profitable destination” due to simplified policies and improved infrastructure. The visit secured a ₹400-crore commitment from Toppan Specialty Films, which officials said will create new industrial jobs in Punjab.
“This government accounts for every rupee,” Mann said, insisting that his trips were strictly focused on attracting factories and employment.
The Aam Aadmi Party government accused previous administrations of misusing taxpayer money. Former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was alleged to have taken publicly funded trips to Dubai, London and South Africa “without bringing investment back home.” Officials said the excursions incurred large bills on travel and allowances.
Similarly, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi faced scrutiny after the Enforcement Directorate recovered cash during raids linked to illegal sand mining. Party leaders alleged he travelled abroad for extended periods following the 2022 elections.
Mann said such practices had left Punjab’s youth with “poverty, unemployment and debt,” adding that his administration’s foreign outreach intends to reverse that trend by prioritising development over personal benefit.
