Opposition alliance meet: Siddaramaiah defends as IAS officers performing protocol duty raises a storm

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Siddaramaiah found himself defending the assignment of IAS officers on protocol duty for visiting political figures who were in Bengaluru to participate in the meeting of the non-BJP parties which the Congress organised. The Opposition JDS and BJP came down heavily on the government, questioning the propriety of asking IAS officers to serve leaders attending a political event. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy attacked the government in a series of tweets, saying the Congress «performed last rites for pride, heritage and self-esteem of Karnataka by deputing IAS officers to serve its alliance leaders…This is neither a state govt program, nor the swearing in of a new govt.

It is just a political meeting. Deputing responsible officers to host its alliance political leaders is a grave injustice done to 6.5 crore Kannadigas and a great insult to the state.” »This is a clear violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules. I was surprised & shocked that officials agreed to do this job knowing that it would dent their self-respect & honour.

The Chief Secretary who issued such a controversial order is answerable to the people," the former CM said. The CM, in his response, tweeted: «Chief Ministers of various states and former central ministers who arrived in Bangalore today were considered as state guests. Officials were assigned only to welcome all those dignitaries as per etiquette.

Apart from this the state government has no role in this programme. This kind of etiquette was observed in all previous governments.» The issue sparked a sharp debate on social media with some urging the IAS Officers Association to respond. Retired additional chief secretary M Madan Gopal wrote to the Cabinet Secretary seeking an enquiry and an explanation