Raipur : Two IAS officers of Chhattisgarh, including one who wore sunglasses while receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit last week, have been pulled up by the state government for violation of dress code and protocol.
The state government has also served notices on Bastar Collector Amit Kataria and Dantewada Collector K C Devsenapati, who had received Modi during his visit to the state on May 9, with a warning that they should follow “proper dress code” in future.
Local media had reported that when Kataria received Modi on the air strip after he landed in Bastar on May 9, the prime minister had called him a “Dabang” or fearless officer. It was then seen as appreciation of his work in a difficult Naxalite-infested region. Kataria had later posted a picture of his handshake with the Prime Minister on his Facebook page. He is seen wearing in the snap a blue shirt and dark glasses.
Devsenapati earned the ire of the government as he had worn a white shirt and trousers during his meeting with Modi.
The officers are supposed to be dressed in ‘Bandhgala’ on such occasions as they are representing the state government in the district.
The government action elicited much criticism. ‘‘What’s wrong if one wears sunglasses to beat the sun,” demanded Congress leader and lawyer Vivek Tankha.
Chief Minister Raman Singh, however, defended the action, saying it is a lesson in protocol for the officers.
The officers have offered no comment yet on the reprimand. But they are said to be upset because the rule cited in the notice deals with conduct of duty and not with a dress code. A source close to Senapati told NDTV: “The collectors had carried coats, but did not wear them as it was quite hot.’’
The warning letter to the two officers said that their conduct was in violation of the All India Services Rules which say that every member of the services shall at all times maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and shall do nothing which is unbecoming of a member of the service. The state government “warns you” that in future there should be no violation of laid down norms and protocol, the letter adds.
