3 min readShimlaJan 31, 2026 12:02 PM IST
First published on: Jan 31, 2026 at 11:50 AM IST
Ayush minister Yadvinder Goma Friday submitted a notice of privilege breach to the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly against the Mandi Deputy Commissioner, alleging failure to follow the prescribed protocol during the Republic Day celebrations.
Goma accused Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, a 2015-batch IAS officer, of violating established government protocol during his arrival in Mandi for the district-level Republic Day function.
The law minister, Goma, submitted the notice under Rule 75 of Chapter XII of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the state Legislative Assembly. This comes days after the controversial remarks of PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh wherein he advised bureaucrats from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to work according to the Himachal ethos.
Yadvinder Goma told The Indian Express, “As per the protocol, the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, was supposed to be present at the place where I reached on January 25… around 7 PM in Mandi. There were scores of people who came to submit their grievances. I was supposed to forward these grievances to the Deputy Commissioner but he was not present. One ADC and the local SDM were present. Locals also complained about the Deputy Commissioner.”
The minister, who is a two-time MLA from Jaisinghpur assembly, also said the DC reached the venue only after the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister were informed about the situation. “The DC never tried to explain to me the reasons why he was not present… on January 25,” he said.
Sources said the privilege notice was received in the office of Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, who was out of station.
Goma said, “The Speaker’s office staff told me that the notice will be forwarded to the Privilege Committee for a probe when the Speaker will return.”
The district-level Republic Day function was held at the Seri Manch, Mandi, where the Ayush minister attended the function as the chief guest.
Repeated attempts were made to contact DC Devgan but there was no response.
It is the second time since December 2022 when the Congress came into power and a party legislator moved a privilege notice against a bureaucrat.
In 2024, Congress MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary from Doon assembly moved a privilege notice against then Superintendent of Police (Baddi), Ilam Afroz, a 2018-batch IPS, for allegedly breaching his privacy.
Subsequently, SP Afroz went on a long causal leave and later transferred as the SP of Lahaul & Spiti district. In August 2025, Ilma went on study leave and her charge was given to the 2020-batch IPS officer, Shivani Mehla.
Himachal Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma moved a privilege notice against Mandi DC Apoorv Devgan, alleging protocol violations during Republic Day celebrations. (Credit: Facebook/ Yadvinder Goma ) 
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