Bhopal, May 14: The Madhya Pradesh government has imposed major restrictions on newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation chairman Saubhagya Singh Thakur following controversy over his reported 700-vehicle convoy from Ujjain to Bhopal during his assumption of office.
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, authorities issued a show-cause notice to Thakur for allegedly failing to follow appeals and guidelines related to fuel conservation and restraint in vehicle usage issued in the national interest.
The government has also imposed several restrictions on the chairman until further orders.
According to official instructions, Thakur will not be allowed to enter the office or premises of the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation. He will also be barred from using any official facilities, vehicles, staff or office resources linked to the corporation.
The restrictions further prevent him from participating in or chairing meetings related to the corporation. He will also not be permitted to take administrative or financial decisions or sign official files.
Officials added that Thakur cannot issue instructions to any employee of the corporation until further directions are issued by the government.
The action comes after reports and videos of a large convoy travelling from Ujjain to Bhopal surfaced publicly and triggered political discussion in the state.
Government sources said the decision aims to maintain administrative discipline and ensure compliance with directions issued by senior leadership regarding fuel conservation and avoiding unnecessary use of vehicles.
The controversy also comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens during a public programme in Hyderabad to adopt economic restraint and simplicity.
Modi had urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, reduce discretionary spending, encourage work from home practices, use public transport and promote fuel conservation measures.
