Rani George called back from Paris

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tourism secretary Rani George, who has left for a foreign jaunt to France, has been summoned back by the chief secretary. The officer, who has been shortlisted as an election observer to another state, left for Paris without obtaining the clearance from the Election Commission of India.

On Wednesday, chief secretary Tom Jose asked George to take the first flight and report back to the state headquarters at the earliest. The general administration department has issued the message to the officer, through the Indian embassy in Paris, as the officer was not available over the phone. The officer is in France for participating in International Trade Fair, being held from March 12 to 18. The state government permitted her to undertake the trip 45 days ago. But, all such permissions become invalid once the election is announced.

Sources in the general administration (special-A) department said that the officer had left for the trip despite knowing that her name had been included in the draft list of IAS officers who are being shortlisted as election observers.

Principal secretary Biswanath Sinha has also issued an order to all the IAS, IPS and IFS officers that seeking permission from the chief secretary to proceed on foreign tour, particularly during the time of elections, is mandatory.