Sangrur DM’s social media lapse triggers storm in Punjab bureaucracy
Sangrur District Magistrate Rahul Chaba, a 2017-batch IAS officer, has been served a show-cause notice after a post from his official social media account criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of relief for Punjab’s flood-affected areas. The post, which went viral before being deleted, has sparked a major row and prompted disciplinary action.
The Controversial Post and Its Fallout
On September 10, 2023, a message appeared on the official Twitter handle of the Sangrur DM’s office stating:
“Punjab has always stood at the forefront in every difficult moment for the country. Today, when Punjab needed economic support, Prime Minister Modi left after making a cruel joke with Punjab. Despite losses worth thousands of crores, only Rs. 1,600 crore were given in the name of aid. This is an insult to Punjab and the farmers.”
The post was deleted within two hours, but screenshots had already circulated widely, fueling criticism across political and bureaucratic circles. Questions were raised over the misuse of an official government handle for political commentary, leading to immediate scrutiny.
Chaba’s Apology and Clarification
On September 12, Chaba issued a public apology, clarifying:
“A political post was inadvertently issued from the official handle of DC Sangrur. The post was unauthorized and immediately deleted. This office reaffirms full neutrality and impartial service. Action is being taken against the concerned official. This lapse is regretted.”
Chaba further explained that he was inspecting the Ghaggar river when the post was uploaded and became aware of it only later that night. He immediately ordered its removal and suspended the District Public Relations Office (DPRO) staffer who had uploaded the message without authorization.
How the Post Originated
According to sources, the statement was not authored by Chaba but was actually a verbatim reproduction of remarks made by Punjab Minister and AAP MLA Barinder Kumar Goyal. A recently recruited staff member, unaware of protocol, mistakenly posted it from the DM’s official account instead of a political channel, triggering the controversy.
Government Action and Disciplinary Measures
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) asked the Punjab government to take disciplinary action. On September 15, the state issued a show-cause notice to Chaba for violating Rule 7 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which bars civil servants from making statements adverse to the government.
Chaba has since met with Punjab’s Chief Secretary and Public Relations Secretary to explain that the lapse was not intentional. However, the notice remains in force pending further inquiry.
Wider Implications
The episode underscores the risks of social media misuse in governance, especially as official handles gain growing importance in government communication. Experts argue that the controversy highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight, clearer guidelines, and better training for civil servants in managing official digital platforms.
