File photo of Mahabubabad district collector Preethi Meena
The inappropriate behaviour of a legislator towards a lady district collector has kicked of storm in Telangana on Wednesday. The Incident occurred during the Haritha Haram afforestation programme during which the local legislator Shankar Nayak touched district collector Preethi Meena who was standing near the sapling being planted. The district SP and other senior officials were also present at the time of the incident.
While, TV footage shows the MLA trying to gently push the lady officer as if he was asking her to move forward for the group photo, the Collector did not take the act lightly. She not only objected to the inappropriate behavior of the legislator but made it clear there itself. While the news of the MLA touching the collector spread like wild fire, the district revenue staff wore black badges and protested even as the Chief Minister’s pet programme has been going on all across the district.
With the information reaching the Chief Minister’s office K. Chandrasekhar Rao has called the MLA and expressed anger over his rash behavior. He took the MLA to task for his misbehaviour. In a statement the CM expressed his regrets and anguish over the incident.
The CM has instructed the MLA to personally meet the Collector and tender an unconditional apology. The CM warned the MLA that if he does not change his behaviour he would be suspended from the party. The CM has also asked Deputy CM Kadiam Srihari and MP Sitaram Naik to speak to the Collector and settle the matter on behalf of the Government and TRS. The CM said such incidents should not reoccur.
The MLA in question then met the collector at her office and tendered his apologies. “I have folded my hands and offered her apology. I even said it immediately after I inadvertently touched her, directing her to the photo session,” Naik told the press. However the collector refused to budge in and said to have complained against the MLA to the IAS officers Association of the state. The collector was not available for comments.