Controversy over VIP Protocol for Minister's Son in UP. CM Yogi's displeasure after uproar on social media leads to removal of Personal Secretary Anand Kumar.
UP: The issue of VIP protocol being given to Abhishek Singh, son of Uttar Pradesh's Minister of Jal Shakti (Water Resources) Swatantra Dev Singh, has suddenly come into the limelight. On August 14th, an official letter was issued by the minister's personal secretary, Anand Kumar, to the DM (District Magistrate) and SP (Superintendent of Police) of Jalaun, stating that Abhishek Singh should be provided with VIP protocol during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15th.
The letter included complete details, ranging from security arrangements to the vehicles accompanying him and his personal staff. However, as soon as this letter went viral on social media, the matter escalated, and the opposition began to question the government.
Social Media Uproar and Opposition's Questions
As the letter went viral, people on social media questioned the government's words and actions. Opposition parties immediately seized on the issue and alleged that when the government itself talks about ending VIP culture, why was the minister's son given VIP protocol? Leaders from the Congress and Samajwadi Party stated that the public does not receive basic amenities on time, but the sons of ministers are being given VIP treatment by using government resources. People termed this a dual policy of the administrative system and demanded transparency in such matters.
Chief Minister Expressed Displeasure
On Friday evening, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh had a pre-scheduled meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In this meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his displeasure over the entire matter and made it clear that VIP protocol will not be given to any minister's family member without proper justification. The Chief Minister also directed that the government's image should not be damaged by such matters in the future. Consequently, Anand Kumar, the minister's personal secretary who issued the controversial letter, was removed from his post.
BJP Leadership's Reaction
According to sources, the BJP leadership was also unhappy with the entire matter. The party wants a clear message to be conveyed to the public that the government does not promote VIP culture. Several senior leaders believed that this incident could affect the government's image, especially when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself has been talking about ending VIP culture. Therefore, the decision to remove the personal secretary was necessary not only from an administrative but also from a political point of view.
Government Office's Clarification
When a response was sought from the minister's office on this controversy, they admitted on condition of anonymity that the letter was indeed issued by their personal secretary. However, it was also clarified that the minister himself was not directly involved in this process. This clarification from the office made it clear that a mistake had occurred at the administrative level, but the minister has not yet given any official statement on the matter.
