Music instructor Pushparani suspended

Imphal: Renowned singer Huidrom Pushparani Devi who served as  as Music Instructor at Government Ideal Blind School, Takyel, has been suspended for taking part in political a campaign organised in respect of the visit of the Prime Minister of India on February 22.

The state social welfare department in an order issued on Saturday said the office of the chief electoral officer, Manipur also shared video clips of the political events in which Pushparani.

As per the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, no government servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics nor shall take part in, subscribe in aid, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity. A show cause notice was served to her on February 23, the order said.

Pushparani submitted her written explanation on February 24 to the department, wherein, she had denied her association with a political party or any type of political activity. She said, “Singing has been my passion, my art and my identity. Singing has become a part of my life and apart from teaching the students, I enjoy singing in front of audiences. Therefore, when some people approached me for singing in some functions, I readily accepted the offers. However, I was not aware that they were connected with some political activities.”

The video evidence shared by the office of the chief electoral officer, Manipur is contrary to her claim and hence her reply to the explanation call is found unsatisfactory. Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-Rule (1) (a) of Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services(Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules,1965, Pushparani Devi, is placed under suspension with immediate effect, the order said.

It said during the period that this order shall remain in force, the headquarter of Pushparani shall be at Imphal and shall not leave the headquarter without obtaining prior permission of the comp tent authority.