DEO/ RO's Poltical Neutality at stake ?

In 1972 March , after winnig war against Pakistan and declararation of Bangldesh as independent  nation,Mrs Gandhi called for Parliamentary Elections by postponing decennial 1971 Census Ennumeration Operations due to begin on sunrise of March1 1971 by a month.
As Collector and DM Barmer I had faced all the challenges and ravages  of  the Indo -Pak War in  Barmer Sector War theatre. Rehabilitation work  of nearly 45000 Pak refugees 
was underway.
Be that as it may I was ex officio designated DEO / RO of Barmer Parliamentary Constituency supposedly the largest in the world in terms of area which also included the entire Jaisalmer District comprising only one of  total eight constituencies forming Barmer Parliamentary  constituency .
Amrit Nahata the sitting MP was Congress candidate while Shri BS Shekhawat was the BJP Candidate .
A dsy before Mrs Gandhi was to address a public Meeting ground behind Government Sr. Secondary Schoool  was being readied for the same..
Amrit Nahata had by then earned   reputation as producer of film 'Kissa Kursi ka." While he was busy  interacting with party workers Shri Shiv Charan Mathur then Education Minister in ML Sukhadia  led Congress Government in the State and Dhanti Bhushan,a Young Turk were staying at Dak Bungalow.
Shri BCJain sitting Barner MLA came to see me at my  residence  right opposite Dak Bungalow (later Circuit House).He conveyed that Shri SCMathur an Shanti  Bhushan had invited   me  to  come to discuss arrangements for Mrs Gandhi's public meeting. It struck me that during  election period   to me as DEO and R O it was neither called  for nor was such request to be complied with. With some hint Shri B C Jain  understood  my view point  immediately and assured  me that he would  convey that it would  be against protocol   to accede to their request  as members of a political  party fighting  elections.
At the same time I had expressed  that I would welcome them at Collector's Residence.I did receive  them and offered cold drinks and snacks after getting  from market as we did not have refrigerator at home.
Shri Mathur specially  showed  candour and gracefully acknowledged  my predicament  and position Shri BC Jain was highly appreciative of my conduct and dealing with  official   matters after discussions were over 

Neutrality and objectivity   more so in relation to poltical parties in election petiod is sine qua non of the  public office.






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