It has cited reports of low attendance of officials at the August 15 event every year, attended by an estimated 25,000 people
The Cabinet Secretariat has asked invited officials of all ministries to be present at the Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort, warning that a "serious view" will otherwise be taken of their absence.
It has cited reports of low attendance of officials at the August 15 event every year, attended by an estimated 25,000 people. Those in the rank of undersecretary and above in every ministry usually get an official invitation to attend the event, senior officials said.
In his letter to secretaries of ministries, Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha said that the flag hoisting ceremony on August 15 every year is a "historic and national function."
"Considering the importance of this national function at which the Prime Minister addresses the nation, it is expected that all the officers who are invited attend the ceremony," the letter states.
Sinha's letter says that it has been observed that, at times, there is low attendance of the official invitees to the ceremony, which is inappropriate, "considering that the occasion is of great national importance."
Urging the ministry heads to advise all invited officers of their ministries and departments to attend the event, the letter states that they should be cautioned that a serious view could be taken of their absence.
Meanwhile, the government is in the process of making a comprehensive, consolidated plan to mark the 70th anniversary of India's freedom and other related outreach programmes based on a recent mega campaign idea, 'Sankalp se Siddhi', given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said.
In his latest monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, Modi said the campaign will aim at resolving to free the country of corruption, communalism, casteism, terrorism, filth and poverty.
A meeting on the subject was held on Thursday, which was attended by senior ministers such as Smriti Irani, Jitender Singh, Mahesh Sharma, Radha Mohan Singh and Prakash Jawadekar, besides senior officials.
Different ideas on celebrating Independence Day and its outreach across the country by roping in Krishi Vigyan Kendras, schools and colleges, public broadcasters and other cultural organisations were discussed in the meeting, an official said, adding a consolidated plan will be finalised in a day or two.
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