Showcause notice to official for serving "cold tea" to MP CM Shivraj Chouhan

Bhopal: Cold tea for Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan lands a government officer in Madhya Pradesh in trouble.

As per reports, a show-cause notice was issued to Junior Supply Officer Rakesh Kanhua who was responsible for arranging tea and breakfast during the CM's transit visit at the airport on Monday, Rajnagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) DP Dwivedi had told PTI.

Junior Supply Officer Rakesh Kanauha was asked to explain the "breach of the protocol in VIP duty". 

Although the Chief Minister did not drink the tea as his halt was brief, the notice was issued to the official as a warning. It was, however, revoked later following outrage on social media.

The Chief Minister had gone to the VIP lounge of the Khajuraho airport for breakfast after campaigning for the civic body elections on Monday. That was where the lapse took place.

The notice issued to Mr Kanauha by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate DP Dwivedi read: "You were entrusted with the responsibility of arranging the tea and breakfast but the quality of the tea provided to the Chief Minister was inferior and it was served cold... It was a breach of the protocol over following VIP duty".

The notice said such lapses can create an embarrassing situation for the district administration regarding protocol meant for VVIPs.

The notice also asked the official to explain why strict action should not be taken against him. He was asked to send his reply within three days, or else "one-sided action will be taken against you," the notice read.

The District Collector revoked the notice later, saying the Chief Minister has not made any comment in this regard. The SDM was asked to cancel the notice.

The revocation came following outrage on social media, where the notice was leaked and got widely circulated.

The state's opposition Congress took note of the matter. Party spokesman Narendra Saluja said, "The people may even not get ration or not be able to get an ambulance, but the Chief Minister should not get cold tea". 

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