Govt submits report to Centre for breach of protocol during President’s north Bengal visit

The state government today sent a detailed report to the Central government on alleged breach of protocol of the President, Draupodi Murmu at an event in Siliguri on Saturday, where the President was the chief guest.

The Centre had sought a report from the state on the reported breach.

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The West Bengal government on Monday submitted a report to the Centre, explaining the circumstances behind the alleged breach of protocol, officials said on Monday.

State Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty sent the report to Union home Secretary Govind Mohan, along with substantiating documents detailing the sequence of events in connection with the incident.

The report also explained the circumstances why the Chief Minister, Mamata Bnerjee could not be present on the occasion of the International Santali convention presided over by the President to the Union home secretary Govind Mohan.

The state government also informed the Centre about the reasons behind the decision to change of venue for the International Santhal Conference during President Murmu’s visit.

It is learnt from reliable sources that the state Chief Secretary’s report contained details with required inputs from the district administration of North Bengal and a detailed information on chronological incidents leading to the alleged change in venue and the Chief Minister’s absence.

At a programme held at Siliguri in North Bengal, on Saturday, the President while expressing her grouse over the local administration’s decision to change the venue, also expressed her ire over the alleged absence of the Chief Minister and went public saying she could not come to terms on what went wrong that the chief minister Mamata Bnaerjee, who is like her sister, gave the occasion a miss. She had also expressed displeasure over prevention of the representatives of the International Santhal organization from entering the venue.

The Union home Secretary is supposed to have asked the state to furnish a response on the violations of the ‘Blue Book’ rules of protocol, venue and route arrangements during the President’s visit, state secretariat Nabanna sources said.