A controversy has erupted over the Netaji Jayanti celebrations held in Cuttack on January 23, with a breach of privilege notice being issued to the District Collector.
The notice was issued by the Director of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat after accepting a written complaint submitted to the Chairman by Debashish Samantaray, along with other MPs of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The communication was served to Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde through the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The complaint pertains to the Netaji Jayanti function where the Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman, C. P. Radhakrishnan, attended as the chief guest. Samantaray alleged that he was not formally invited to the event and described the omission as an insult to the Rajya Sabha. He sought the issuance of a breach of privilege notice against the Collector for alleged protocol lapses.
Reacting to the development, Samantaray stated that he had earlier informed the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha about the issue. He said that as per the Chairman’s direction, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) would examine the matter.
The MP claimed that although an email invitation was sent, it was received at around 8:30 pm on the eve of the programme, which was scheduled for the following morning. He further alleged that his name wasneither included on the plaque nor mentioned in the printed invitation card.
