Ahead of Independence Day celebrations, the Government has warned officers invited to attend the flag-hoisting ceremony that their absence would be viewed seriously.
“It has been observed that there is, at times, low attendance of the official invitees to the ceremony. This is unacceptable considering that the occasion is of great national importance.
“There is clearly a need to remind the officers that it is their duty to attend the Independence Day ceremony,” Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth said in a letter to the secretaries of government departments.
“Considering the importance of this national function, at which the Prime Minister addresses the nation, it is expected that all officers who are invited will attend the ceremony,” he said.
Secretaries have been asked to suitably advise all officers under their ministry or department, who are invited to the ceremony, to attend the function. “You might also caution them that a serious view will be taken of their absence on this occasion,” the Cabinet Secretary wrote.