Rajanna Sircilla collector served a notice after MLA’s protocol complaint

HYDERABAD: Rajanna Sircilla District collector Sandeep Kumar Jha has been served a notice over alleged protocol violations during the Praja Palana Day celebrations at the district collectorate on Wednesday.

Chief secretary K Rama Krishna Rao issued the notice on Thursday, directing the collector to submit a written explanation by 15.00 IST on Monday. The government said further action would follow after reviewing his reply.

MLA Aadi Srinivas complained of breach of protocol

According to officials, the controversy arose when the collector failed to follow protocol in receiving the chief guest, government whip and local MLA Aadi Srinivas. Instead of welcoming him at the venue, the collector reportedly arrived late, after MLA had unfurled the national flag and recited the national anthem.

The MLA reportedly complained to both the chief secretary and the chief minister’s office, citing breach of protocol. Treating the matter as significant, the government sought clarification, stressing that a district collector should arrive ahead of schedule and formally receive the chief guest at official functions..

Sources said tensions between the MLA and the collector surfaced earlier as well. During the Independence Day celebrations, the MLA reportedly felt upset when the collector sat beside him on the dais with one leg crossed and allegedly failed to extend courtesies to invited guests.