Sikkim CM Prem Singh had said he was “deeply hurt” by the ad “terming the people of Sikkim as different citizen associated with Nepal & Bhutan”.
New Delhi| An advertisement by the Delhi government for the recruitment of civil defence volunteers provoked controversy on Saturday after it referred the people of Sikkim as “subject” along with those from Bhutan and Nepal, inciting the opposition to start a brutal attack on the AAP admin.
A senior official responsible for the “error” in the advertisement was suspended by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal confirmed the suspension of the officer and said that there is “zero tolerance for such gross misconduct,”
A senior officer of Directorate of Civil Defence (HQ) has been suspended with immediate effect for publishing an Advertisement which disrespects the territorial integrity of India by making incorrect reference to Sikkim on the same lines as some neighbouring countries.
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) May 23, 2020
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the incident and said action has been taken against the officer concerned.
Sikkim is an integral part of India. Such errors also cannot be tolerated. Advertisement has been withdrawn and action taken against the officer concerned. https://t.co/BgTcjJF4MF
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 23, 2020
The action came after Sikkim called the advertisement “immensely hurtful” and “offensive”.
In a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev, his Himalayan State’s Chief Secretary said, “In the recent newspaper ad of Delhi Govt for enrolment of volunteers for Civil Defence Corps, Sikkim has been clubbed with Bhutan and Nepal as a separate country.
Delhi BJP president Manoj slammed the Delhi government for the “serious lapse”.
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The newspaper advertisement for recruitment of volunteers for Civil Defense corps mentioned under eligibility criteria “Citizen of India or a subject of Sikkim or of Bhutan or of Nepal and a resident of Delhi”.
The Himalayan state became an Indian state in 1975.
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