The TRS legislators venting their anger at Collector Sarfaraz Ahmed for alleged violation of protocol at the inauguration of Digi Dhan Mela recently is snowballing into a controversy with government employees expressing solidarity with the District Collector.
Karimnagar MLA G. Kamalakar and Manakondur MLA Rasamayi Balakishan had used unparliamentary language against the Collector for not including the photograph of Karimnagar MP B. Vinod Kumar when the Union Government had conducted the Digi Dhan Mela in the town. Incidentally, the Karimnagar MP, who was present at the meeting, did not complaint against the non-inclusion of his photograph on the dais.
All the district gazetted officials, non-gazetted officers and other employees have expressed their solidarity with the Collector and protested against the attitude of the TRS legislators by wearing black badges while on duty. They also found fault with the legislators for using unparliamentary language against the Collector and District Magistrate.
Further, the officials clarified that the poster erected on the dais was prepared as per the standard operational procedure (SOP) prescribed by NITI Ayog and there was no protocol violation as alleged by the legislators. They also asked why Karimnagar legislator G. Kamalakar had not raised any objection about the protocol violation when he inaugurated the Digi Dhan Mela on Wednesday morning and decided to raise a hue and cry only in the evening when the Central and State Ministers were present.
Asked to stand down
Reacting to the protests staged by some sections of society at the behest of the legislators, the district officials and employees have decided to launch a counter agitation. However, the Collector is learnt to have told them not to make an issue of it and not to go ahead with their proposed agitation.
Responding over the protest by the MLAs, Lok Satta Udyama Samstha district president N. Srinivas asked the former to work for society and not for a person or a section. He suggested that the TRS legislators shun cheap tricks and focus on the development of their respective constituencies.
