Times are a changing. And the signs of changing times in old Adilabad district were visible on the dais from where the chief guests delivered their message on the occasion of Independence Day.
According to the protocol, followed during such occasions when erstwhile Adilabad was a united entity, only the Collector and Superintendent of Police besides the chief guest used to sit on the dais from where the proceedings were watched. For all other officers and elected representatives, including MP and MLA, a separate ‘VIP’ seating arrangement used to be made to the left of the stage and a few feet behind it.
The protocol is evidently being observed in breach since the last two years with officials from Revenue and Judiciary and elected representatives finding themselves a seat on the dais. The place looked overcrowded in Adilabad district with Forest Minister Jogu Ramanna as chief guest, District Judge Aruna Sarika, Zilla Parishad chairperson V. Shobha Rani, MP G. Nagesh and Boath MLA Rathod Bapur Rao forming the front row along with Collector D. Divya and SP Vishnu S. Warrier and other Judges and Municipal chairperson R. Manish bringing up the second line by the side of a good number of personal security officers among others.
The seriousness of the breach of protocol could not be ascertained as the official responsible for implementing it did not respond to a phone call made by The Hindu.
A retired Tahsildar said it was like breach of decorum.