CM's event in Silchar: DDIPR Indrani Goswami placed under suspension, Sajjadul Haque Chowdhury to be in charge

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonwal visited Barak Valley recently amid a severe natural calamity. However, Indrani Goswami, Deputy Director, District Information and Public Relations Department, was not present at her office on that day. Her absence was without a prior notice. As a result, she has been placed under suspension. Pritam Saikia, secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, issued an order suspending her on Monday evening.

According to the departmental directive, DDIPR Indrani Goswami was not present in Silchar on the day of the Chief Minister’s visit. She had not informed any official about this before. Her absence caused various chaos that day. The journalists who came to cover the event were made to wait for hours as a result of which Journalists later walked out of the event. The state government and the chief minister also took strong note of the incident, that earlier happened nowhere in the state. DDIPR Indrani Goswami was fully responsible for this, as a result of which she has been suspended from her post.

There were also various allegations against her before. She used to stay away from Silchar and her office for the most of the time. However, the news came to light after the extreme chaos at the Chief Minister’s event. Initially, an official of the district administration was suspended. However, this time the government has given a strong message by suspending Indrani Goswami.

The letter stated, “Whereas it is been found that Indrani Goswami Deputy Director Information and Public Relations Barak Valley region Silchar remained absent from duty on that day without obtaining any prior permission from the competent authority for which serious mismanagement took place regarding media persons who came to cover the program of Honorable Chief Minister Assam. As a result, a number of media person got agitated and left the venue causing much embarrassment to the government. Whereas the government is considered this is a serious misconduct and gross negligence of duty on the part of Shrimati Indrani Goswami Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Barak Valley region Silchar for causing an embarrassing position of to the government.”

Adding, “Now, therefore, pending drawal of departmental proceedings Indrani Goswami Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Barak Valley region Silchar is hereby placed under suspension.”

Meanwhile, in view of the suspension of Indrani Goswami, Md. Sajjadul Haque Chowdhury, Deputy Director IPR Karimganj District, has been given additional responsibility to continue the day-to-day work of the Cachar District. Sajjadul Chowdhury will continue his regular work and take on this additional responsibility.

The Governor of Assam has informed about the appointment in another order signed by the Commissioner and Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department of the Government of Assam, Pritam Saikia, IAS.

This order is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice.