https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

IAS Officer Served Show-Cause Notice For Criticizing PM Modi! Sangrur DM Rahul Chaba Riles Up Punjab Bureaucracy Through Controversial Post

IAS officer Mr. Rahul Chaba faces a show-cause notice after a controversial social media post criticized PM Modi's response to Punjab's floods
Indian Masterminds Stories

Mr. Rahul Chaba, the District Magistrate of Sangrur and an officer from the 2017 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), has recently found himself embroiled in controversy after a post from his official social media account criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to Punjab’s devastating floods. The post, which was later deleted, led to significant backlash and prompted a formal show-cause notice to Chaba from both the Punjab government and higher authorities.

Also Read: S.P. Velumani Case: Centre’s Document Translation Rule Delaying Sanction to Prosecute IAS Officers, DVAC Tells Madras HC

The Controversial Post and Immediate Backlash

On September 10, 2023, a post appeared on the official Twitter account of the District Magistrate’s office in Sangrur, which read: “Punjab has always stood at the forefront in every difficult moment for the country. Today, when Punjab needed economic support, Prime Minister Modi left after making a cruel joke with Punjab. Despite losses worth thousands of crores, only Rs. 1,600 crore were given in the name of aid. This is an insult to Punjab and the farmers.”

The post, which was shared at around 9 pm, was deleted within two hours. However, screenshots of the message quickly spread, leading to criticism from both the public and government officials. The post attracted significant attention and raised questions about the use of official social media accounts for political commentary, prompting the authorities to take action.

IAS Officer’s Apology and Clarification

On September 12, Mr. Chaba issued an apology from his official account. In the statement, he clarified, “Public notice: A political post was inadvertently issued from the official handle of DC Sangrur. The post was unauthorized and immediately deleted. This office reaffirms full neutrality and impartial service. Action is being taken against the concerned official. This lapse is regretted.”

Chaba also explained that he was inspecting the Ghaggar river, which had surpassed its danger mark, at the time the post was made. According to sources, Chaba was unaware of the post until he saw it around 11 pm. He immediately took action to have it removed and reprimanded the District Public Relations Office (DPRO) staff member responsible for the error. The concerned staff member was subsequently suspended.

Origins of the Controversial Post

Sources indicated that the post was not authored by Chaba himself but was instead a statement made by Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal, a Punjab Minister and AAP MLA representing the Lehra constituency, which falls under Sangrur. The person who posted the statement from Chaba’s official account was a newly hired staff member who was not aware that district magistrate accounts are meant solely for administrative purposes. As a result, the post, which was a verbatim reproduction of Goyal’s statement, led to the controversy.

Government Response and Future Actions

Following the incident, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) reached out to the Punjab government, urging it to issue a show-cause notice to Mr. Chaba. On September 15, 2023, the state government complied and served the notice, citing a violation of Section 7 of the All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968. This section prohibits civil servants from making public statements that are adverse to the central or state government.

Mr. Chaba has since met with the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Public Relations in Punjab, where he explained the situation and clarified that the post was not authorized by him. Despite his apology and corrective actions, the controversy has raised questions regarding the management of official social media accounts and the need for stricter oversight.

Implications for Governance and Accountability

This incident brings to light the increasing importance of social media in government communication and the potential risks associated with its misuse. In an age where a single post can quickly go viral, the need for clear guidelines and robust training for public servants in managing official accounts is more pressing than ever. The controversy surrounding this post underscores the challenges faced by government officials in maintaining neutrality while engaging with the public on digital platforms.

Also Read: SC Cancels Anticipatory Bail of Ex-IAS Officers Anil Tuteja, Alok Shukla in Chhattisgarh NAN Scam


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Rajesh Aggarwal
Who Is Rajesh Aggarwal? Technocrat IAS Officer Poised to Become Maharashtra’s Next Chief Secretary
bureaucracy news
IPoS Suvendu Kumar Swain Appointed as Member (Personnel), Postal Services Board; IAS Nand Kumarum Gets Additional Charge of MD & CEO, Digital India Corporation
hindustan-copper-ltd-resized
HCL to Celebrate 59th Foundation Day with Global Seminar on Critical Minerals for India’s Growth for Viksit Bharat @ 2047
IRCON
IRCON Appoints Rajesh Naik as Director (Projects) to Lead Strategic Growth and International Expansion
PM Shri Air Tourism Helicopter Service
MP Launches PM Shri Air Tourism Helicopter Service on 70th Foundation Day, Becomes First State in India with Intra-State Air Tourism Connectivity
mcl
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) Commits Rs 80 Lakh to Enhance Education Infrastructure in Odisha
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
Bharat Electronics Limited Secures Rs 732 Crore in New Defence Orders, Strengthening India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
Workshop_on_AI
NTPC Northern Region Hosts Workshop on Artificial Intelligence for Employees and Families in Lucknow
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Former IAS Anil Swarup
Former IAS Anil Swarup Reveals His Secrets of Success
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Rajesh Aggarwal
Who Is Rajesh Aggarwal? Technocrat IAS Officer Poised to Become Maharashtra’s Next Chief Secretary
bureaucracy news
IPoS Suvendu Kumar Swain Appointed as Member (Personnel), Postal Services Board; IAS Nand Kumarum Gets Additional Charge of MD & CEO, Digital India Corporation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Former IAS Anil Swarup
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT