Kiran Bedi threatens action against officials skipping her Independence Day function

Puducherry Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Kiran Bedi has taken a strong exception to bureaucrats skipping the 'At Home' function held in Raj Nivas yesterday on Independence Day and has threatened them of suitable action. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of building a 'New India', Kiran Bedi said it cannot be possible without 'New Public Servants'.

The L-G has also objected to the breaking of protocol and disrespect to the National Anthem shown by those officials who attended the programme. She has sought to discipline them by cautioning them to be more careful from the next time.

Kiran Bedi has directed her office to issue letters to all those bureaucrats, including secretaries, heads of departments (HODs) and directors, who had stayed away from the 'At Home' function without prior intimation.

"Yesterday Independence Day 'At Home' at Raj Nivas was a State function. You were invited. All public officials of GOP (Government of Puducherry) who were invited but did not attend are hereby called to explain why they did not, without due intimation and permission to be exempted. The explanation should reach Secretary to L-G within three days," states Kiran Bedi's letter.

The letter states that unsatisfactory explanation by these absentee officials would lead to placing a written displeasure in concerned officials' personal file.

The L-G is already locked in a long battle with Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy over the rights of the two top constitutional posts.

Kiran Bedi said attending government invited function was not only part of the official duty of the bureaucrats but also an expression of respect to the occasion. It helped creating a bonding with fellow colleagues which was vital to good administration, she said, and hoped that in future they would respect the sanctity of the official invitations.

The L-G has directed a standing order to be issued to this effect.

Kiran Bedi said 'New India' cannot be so without public servants being part of patriotic fervour. Being part of bonding and celebration at least on certain days when the whole nation comes together, she said.

"India needs a 'New Public Servant' who treats his service as service to the nation and not another job when such occasions be treated as any other weekend," she said.

The L-G's office is identifying all secretaries, HODs and directors who did not attend. "The message is clear that discipline shall not be compromised. In fact such occasions are to even celebrate it in their respective offices. I wonder if any of them did so, or amongst people in their respective areas, villages and other places. Sad that we have lost connect of joy in celebrations," she lamented.

On disrespect shown to the National Anthem, Kiran Bedi said courtesy and protocol on such occasions demand officials to either take permission to leave earlier from the dignitary or the host or they must stay on till the closure national anthem is played.

"Several officers left even before the closure anthem was played. Such officers too need to know it is not correct. They must set the right example. These officers who were noticed to have left before the anthem was played shall also be cautioned to be careful in future," she warned.

Kiran Bedi said she observed that many officials came late. They needed to be present in time before the inaugural national anthem was played. Citing her case, she said, "I regularly attend the 'At Home' of Delhi Police where the President comes. All of us are present before (the function starts). And none of us leave till the President leaves. It is the practice. And respect for the dignitary and the occasion."

Kiran Bedi further said this too must be understood by all who attended that they should come in time and stay on till the National Anthem is played and the L-G exits. "This is the sanctity of the occasion," she said.