Minister Atishi Showcauses Delhi Administrators over Ad Controversy

Information and Publicity Minister Atishi has issued a showcause notice to the secretary and director of the department for releasing a newspaper advertisement without Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's photo. The action follows a rule violation, with the minister demanding an explanation within three days.

Information and Publicity Minister Atishi has issued a showcause notice to the department's secretary and director for publishing a newspaper advertisement without Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's photo, potentially igniting another dispute between the ruling AAP and Delhi's bureaucracy.

The notice, issued on Tuesday, demands the officers explain within three days why the cost of the advertisement should not be deducted from their salaries, as it was published without the minister-in-charge's approval. The Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) had objected to including the chief minister's photo, citing his current judicial custody status.

Atishi had directed the department on August 14 to carry a full-page ad featuring Kejriwal's image, arguing it symbolized democratic values. Despite this, a half-page ad without the CM's photo was released on August 15, amounting to what the notice calls 'wilful disobedience' and 'gross insubordination.'

(With inputs from agencies.)