Thiruvalla: Thiruvalla Municipality is embroiled in controversy following a viral video filmed by eight government officials within their office premises, subsequently shared on social media. The incident has ignited accusations of negligence, misuse of official space and resources, and tarnishing the office’s reputation.
The officials involved received a show-cause notice from senior authorities to explain their actions amid growing criticism. The video, featuring a rendition of a popular song from the Malayalam movie “Devadoothan,” was recorded during office hours, raising concerns about the professionalism and conduct of the staff.
Authorities are currently investigating to ascertain if there was a violation of conduct regulations and misuse of governmental resources. The implicated employees are reportedly preparing explanations to mitigate the potential repercussions of their actions.
However, the controversy took a turn when Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh voiced support for the employees, urging the local body not to take punitive measures against them. Rajesh commended the staff for their dedication, highlighting their voluntary work on a Sunday to assist the district Collector in preparing for the upcoming monsoon season.
This stance sparked a lively debate on social media, with supporters praising the employees’ commitment while critics condemned the alleged misuse of official time and resources. Notably, IAS officer Prasanth. N and disaster management expert Dr. Murali Thummarukudy joined the discourse, backing the employees and advocating for a nuanced approach to modernizing work culture in government offices.
