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
Rail News
Northern Railways Achieves Historic Feat: Simultaneous Unloading of Two Goods Rakes in Jammu & Kashmir
bureaucracy news
Govt Appoints IAS Preeti Maithil as Deputy GM of TRIFED; IRS Officer Mashhood Ur Rehman Farooqui Named Director at NHA
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
29 IAS Officers Transferred in Major AP Bureaucratic Reshuffle; Pattanshetti Ravi Subash Appointed APPSC Secretary
PM Modi Global Fintech Fest
PM Narendra Modi Invites Global Investors to Join India’s Rapid Economic Growth at Global Fintech Fest 2025
PM Modi Global Fintech Fest 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Highlights India’s Digital Inclusion and Ethical AI Leadership at Global Fintech Fest 2025
Yogi Adityanath sports
Jhansi Sports Festival 2025: CM Yogi Applauds Rising Talent, Boosts Sports Ecosystem
CM Dhami 5 Crore Infra
Big Leap for Uttarakhand: CM Dhami Approves Road, SDRF Upgrade, Office in Pithoragarh and Hydropower Projects
Karnataka
Karnataka Appoints Retired IAS G V Krishna Rao as Recovery Commissioner to Seize Illegal Mining Assets Under 2025 Law
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Officer C
"She Believed She Could, So She Did" - The Inspiring Journey of IAS Officer C. Vanmathi
From herding buffaloes and facing early marriage pressure to becoming an IAS officer, C. Vanmathi’s journey...
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Social Media
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
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-09 at 16.50
From Stethoscope to Secretariat: The Remarkable Journey of IAS Dr. Sharat Chauhan
Rail News
Northern Railways Achieves Historic Feat: Simultaneous Unloading of Two Goods Rakes in Jammu & Kashmir
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT