TV
The Odisha government has ordered an inquiry into an IAS probationer posted in Kalahandi district for allegedly misusing official privileges by using an amber beacon and a name board on a private vehicle, constituting an act seen as a breach of conduct rules for trainee officers.
The General Administration and Public Grievance Department (GA&PG) on Monday issued a letter to the Kalahandi Collector, seeking an immediate report into the incident.
“It has come to notice that the IAS Probationer of your district is using a vehicle fitted with the board ‘IAS Probationer Kalahandi’ along with amber light. It is not known under which circumstances the IAS Probationer is using such facilities. You are, therefore, requested to furnish a report on the matter to this Department at the earliest,” said a letter, signed by State Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar Mohanty.
Photos Surface, Beacon Use Questioned
The issue came to light after photos of the vehicle bearing the beacon and signage went viral on social media.
Reports stated that the car did not belong to the government but was being used by the probationer as an official conveyance.
However, as per the rules mandated by the Government of India, IAS probationers, while on district training, are not permitted to use official vehicles bearing personalised boards or beacons. The use of amber lights is tightly regulated and generally restricted to emergency vehicles or officers authorised by the state.
Incident Comes Amid Rising Scrutiny
This development comes close on the heels of another controversy in Kalahandi involving Sub-Collector Dhiman Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer, who was arrested by the Vigilance Department earlier this month for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. Chakma was later suspended from service.
While the two incidents are not directly connected, they have intensified scrutiny on the conduct and supervision of young IAS officers in the state.
