IAS officers rebuked for dress code violation during PM visit

Raipur: Chhattisgarh IAS officer Amit Kataria, who wore sunglasses while receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, and another Collector have got a stern warning from the state government for violation of dress code and protocol during the visit.

The state government has slapped 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, for not following "proper dress code".

Kataria was rebuked for wearing sunglasses and blue shirt while receiving the Prime Minister while Devsenapati 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.

In a warning letter issued to Kataria, a 2004 batch IAS officer, the state government said while receiving the Prime Minister on May nine "it has come to notice that you were not wearing a proper dress and had also put on sunglasses".

The letter said that it was in violation of section 3(i) of All India Services (Conduct) Rules which says 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 said.

The two collectors should have followed proper dress code while receiving the PM, special secretary for General Administration department D D Singh told PTI here today.

Singh said that on getting information about the matter, the department issued notices to both the Collectors and asked them to adhere to dress code in future.

He said a similar notice has also been issued to Dantewada Collector Devsenapati and he too has been asked to adhere to the rules in future.