Thiruvananthapuram: Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran on Thursday asked the Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand to inquire into the circular directing officials to celebrate Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary’s birthday in all RTO offices in the state. This was after a controversy broke out over the celebrations of the birthday in various offices of the Motor Vehicles Department.
The minister, who was away in New Delhi, asked Mr Vijayanand to examine if any circular had been issued by Mr Thachankary, asking the staff to cut cakes and distribute sweets at various offices. As the issue became controversial, Mr Thachankary claimed he had spent money for the celebrations from his own pocket. The controversy was that Mr Thachankary issued an unusual circular to all RTOs in the state asking them to 'celebrate' his birthday.
The circular captioned 'Today is my birthday' asked officials to distribute sweets at all RTOs and that the expenses would be reimbursed later. The circular had also listed the achievements of the officer during his tenure in office. The Transport Minister told reporters that there were no restrictions placed on government officials to celebrate their birthdays in office and it was a matter of personal choice. However, it was for the officials to look into the 'appropriateness' of his act.
‘No order issued’
Amidst controversy surrounding his birthday bash, the transport commissioner Tomin J. Thachankary has got support from officials of the motor vehicles department. In a statement, official said there was nothing wrong in the celebrations.
Mr Thachankary dismissed the brouhaha saying that he had spent money from his own pocket for the celebrations and hence there was no need to whip up any controversy. Moreover, he said he had not issued any order asking officers to celebrate his birthday. “What was being now painted as a circular was mere a letter written to colleagues,” Mr Thachankary clarified.
