Mr. Neelabh Saxena, a 2014-batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer and the District Collector of Karauli, has landed in controversy after being strongly reprimanded by the state’s Chief Secretary, Mr. Sudhanshu Pant (1991-batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer), for vacationing in Jammu & Kashmir while his district is reeling under a severe heatwave and acute water shortages.
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With temperatures soaring across Rajasthan, the Bhajan Lal-led state government has gone into emergency mode to tackle the worsening electricity and water situation. As part of these efforts, Chief Secretary Mr. Pant convened an online meeting with district collectors, including those from Karauli and Sawai Madhopur, to assess and coordinate the crisis response.
However, Mr. Saxena’s absence from the district and his presence in Kashmir during the meeting shocked the administration. According to reports, Mr. Pant noticed the Collector dressed in warm clothing with an unusual demeanor during the virtual interaction. When asked about his location, Mr. Saxena admitted that he was in Jammu & Kashmir.
This revelation did not sit well with the Chief Secretary, who immediately chastised the officer for abandoning his responsibilities at such a critical time. “You had taken leave citing urgent personal work in your hometown. Had you informed that the leave was for a Kashmir trip, it could have been denied,” Mr. Pant reportedly said. He further added, “People in your district are suffering due to heat, electricity, and water shortages, and you are vacationing in cold valleys. This shows a serious lack of administrative sensitivity.”
Mr. Saxena had reportedly taken leave for personal reasons, but his trip to a tourist destination during a crisis has sparked outrage within administrative circles. Sources suggest that the officer could face disciplinary action for dereliction of duty and misleading the administration regarding the nature of his leave.
As Rajasthan battles scorching heat and increasing demands for water and electricity, the episode has highlighted the critical need for bureaucratic accountability and sensitivity during times of public distress.
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