Copter ride: Khattar gives clean chit to 2 IAS officers

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 20

In an apparent clean chit to two IAS officers over the use of a government chopper while on a trek from Chamba to Barot valley in Mandi district, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said it was their moral responsibility to provide help to the officers.

Replying to a query on the use of government chopper for the two IAS officers, the CM said, “Two of our officers had gone on leave and went to Chamba for trekking. We got the information that our officers were stuck there. It is our moral responsibility to help out not only the officers but even the common man. On the request of the Chamba DC, the help was provided by the state government.”

The CM was here to attend the BJP’s intellectual cell meet.

On June 14, Hem Raj, ADC, Chamba, and Haryana officers Dr Shalin, Director, Medical Education, and Nitish Yadav, ADC, Karnal, were airlifted from the remote Bara Bhangal area in Kangra. The demand for the chopper was conveyed to the DC, Chamba, who further informed the Chief Secretary.

Circular on greeting MP, MLAs a routine: CM

On the state government circular reminding all its officials that they were required to stand up while meeting MPs and MLAs and that they should respond to any communication from them promptly, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, “It is a routine matter. Every year, new officers join and it is the duty of senior officials to make them aware of the protocol. It could be a normal letter, which you (media) are pointing out. I have not seen the letter yet.”