On Thursday, Delhi’s Information and Publicity Minister, Atishi, issued a show cause notice to the Director and Secretary of the Information and Publicity department for releasing an Independence Day advertisement that omitted the Chief Minister’s photograph.
The notice stated that on August 14, the Minister in-charge had specifically directed the release of a full-page advertisement featuring the Chief Minister of Delhi, consistent with the practice from the previous year.
The Minister had approved a revised media plan, stressing the importance of including the Chief Minister’s photograph, as it symbolises the values of democracy and independence, with the Chief Minister being the head of the democratically elected government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
However, despite these explicit instructions, the DIP, under the authority of senior officials, issued a half-page advertisement for Independence Day that did not include the Chief Minister’s photograph.
The DIP had previously requested the Minister to reconsider including the Chief Minister’s photograph, arguing that Independence Day celebrations should not be used to promote individuals, particularly when the individual in question is in custody. However, the Minister reaffirmed her directive to publish the full-page advertisement featuring the Chief Minister’s photograph and explicitly instructed that no alternative creative work should be issued. The notice further claims that the official’s decision to move forward with the half-page advertisement without the necessary approval violates several constitutional and legal provisions.
As a result, the official has been served a notice to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken and why the cost of the unauthorised advertisements should not be deducted from his salary. The Minister has requested a response within three days.
