Bastar Collector Amit Kataria, who last week was pulled up by the Chhattisgarh government for violation of dress code and protocol while receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state on May 9, has reportedly explained his position on the issue.
In a WhatsApp message that he now denies, Kataria reportedly said, "Bastar is very hot in May with temp above 40s. Wearing bandgala for hours while looking after arrangements is not practical. I was dressed in complete formal dress, blue shirt, black trousers, black leather shoes, not any T shirt or chappals," NDTV reported
The message says that the governor, Chief Minister Raman Singh and other top officials had just come "5min before" from the circuit house "properly" dressed and received PM Modi.
"I was standing and managing for them for many hours in hot sun and was really sweating and eyes burning. Decided not to wear the coat which I had put in my car," the officer reportedly wrote.
The state government slapped notices on Bastar collector Amit Kataria and Dantewada collector K C Devsenapati with a warning that they should follow "proper dress code" in future.
Kataria was rebuked for wearing sunglasses and blue shirt while receiving the Prime Minister. Devsenapati earned the ire of the government as he had worn a white shirt and trousers during his meeting with Modi.
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.
