Chhatarpur: A A Madhya Pradesh government official was served a notice for arranging “cold and substandard quality tea” for Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Khajuraho airport in Chhatarpur district, but it was withdrawn after an uproar. Rajnagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) DP Dwivedi told PTI that a show-cause notice was issued to Rakesh Kanhua, junior supply officer, who arranged tea and snacks during the chief minister’s visit at the airport on Monday.
However, following outrage on social media over the notice, Chhatarpur District Collector Sandeep GR has quashed the notice served by Dwivedi. Dwivedi clarified that the tea and breakfast hosted by Kanhua was not served to the chief minister as he did not stay at the airport but only changed the plane at the runway.
Chouhan was going to Rewa to campaign for the civic body elections.
“Kanhua was assigned the task of arranging tea and snacks during the transit visit of the chief minister at the Khajuraho airport at 11.30 am on Monday,” Dwivedi said.
He said that it was found that the tea arranged by Kanhua was cold and of substandard quality.
The notice issued by the SDM said, “As per the menu, you were entrusted with the responsibility of arranging tea and snacks, but the quality of tea served to the Chief Minister was substandard and was served cold.”
It said this could create an embarrassing situation for the district administration, raising questions about the protocol for VVIPs.
The SDM had sought clarification from the Junior Supply Officer in three days.
As the copy of the notice was widely circulated on social media and invited criticism, the District Collector issued an order which said, “The Chief Minister has not commented on the protocol violation, thus giving reasons to the Junior Supply Officer.” Show notice has been issued. This connection has been cancelled”.
On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said tauntingly, “People may not get ration or ambulance, but the Chief Minister should not get cold tea.”