Saharsa DM faces Bihar CM146;s anger

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday pulled up District Magistrate DM of Saharsa Pradeep Chowdhury over the phone and threatened him with suspension for ignoring a complaint regarding non-distribution of relief material in a particular panchayat of his district. He also directed Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Chowdhury to hold an inquiry against the DM and 8220;take him to task8221;.

The Chief Minister8217;s secretary, Pradeep Pandey, called up the DM after a person from that panchayat made allegations against him at the weekly 8220;janta darbar8221; addressed by Kumar in Patna. The DM, however, refused to entertain the call thinking it was a hoax caller. The secretary then re-connected the phone and handed it over to the Chief Minister. 8220;You did not recognise who had earlier called from this number. You know there is enough ground for initiating suspension proceedings against you,8221; said Kumar. It is understood that the Chief Minister lost his cool after the DM refused to recognise his voice as well.

Talking to reporters at Saharsa, Chowdhury blamed it on BSNL service. 8220;The voice was breaking. I was unable to hear what the caller was saying. It was because of BSNL8217;s poor service,8221; he reportedly said.