Raichur, 19 July

A video of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Praveen playing rummy on his phone during a District Planning Committee (KDP) meeting in Raichur has gone viral, prompting disciplinary action against him.

The incident occurred on Friday at the District Panchayat office hall in Raichur. The video, discretely recorded by a member, showed several attendees idly browsing their phones, even though several district MLAs were urging the district-in-charge minister to take note and uphold the dignity of the meeting.

The meeting was supposed to focus on the progress of development projects, implementation of plans, and public welfare issues.

Minister for Forest, Zoology, and Environment, Eshwar Khandre has directed that a showcause notice be issued to the officer, while district in-charge Minister Sharanprakash Patil instructed the Deputy Commissioner to write to the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department for disciplinary action against the DCF.

“Playing games during an official meeting is unacceptable. There will be zero tolerance for officers who are not committed to the integrity of governance. Such incidents should not be repeated in future meetings,” Patil said.