UP govt orders probe after TMC-like mattresses distributed at mass wedding
According to the Unnao district administration, directions have been issued to initiate departmental investigations against the Deputy Development Officer and Village Development Officer, who were responsible for the distribution of souvenirs to newlywed couples at the event under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana.
Additionally, a notification issued by the Unnao district administration on Sunday stated that the District Magistrate has directed to seek an explanation from the District Social Welfare Officer, Unnao.
“(Unnao District Magistrate) Ghanshyam Meena took seriously the incident regarding mattresses bearing prints resembling the TMC flag given as gifts to couples during the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana organized by the District Social Welfare Officer’s office at Dr Virendra Swarup Training Center on July 24,” the statement said. The statement was included.
The District Magistrate directed that a report be submitted immediately following an investigation by a committee headed by Chief Development Officer (CDO) Krati Raj and comprising Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue), Senior Treasurer and Deputy Commissioner (Industries).
The report submitted to the District Magistrate revealed that the marriages of 459 couples were formalized and each couple was given two beds.
“The covers of one or two of the 918 mattresses bore a design resembling the symbol of a political party. Based on this report, District Magistrate Ghanshyam Meena took stringent action against those responsible. The supplier firm was blacklisted and an FIR was lodged against Kotwali police station,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Chief Development Officer of Unnao Krati Raj said: “From the media, some of the beds given to some Newlywed couples bore resemblance to a particular political party and its election campaign materials.
“On the instructions of the DM, an investigation committee was formed under my leadership.”
He added that as per the findings of the investigation committee, the company supplying the mattresses has been blacklisted and an FIR has been lodged against it.
Apart from this, the ‘patal sahak’ (clerk) who received the material was suspended from duty with immediate effect.
Pictures of the mattresses showed TMC text and the party symbol (two flowers blooming on branches emerging from the grass) on them, but the placement of the three colors (saffron, white and green) was different from the TMC flag.
