Major Lapse: Palampur Administration and State-Level Holi Mela Committee Face Backlash Over Mis-representation of Acting VC

The Palampur administration and the State-Level Holi Mahotsav Committee are under fire for committing a grave administrative blunder—misrepresenting the Acting Vice-Chancellor of CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV) Palampur as the full-fledged Vice-Chancellor in official invitations and event materials. This misleading designation is not just a minor oversight but a deliberate misrepresentation that raises serious questions about the competence and intent of the officials involved.

The controversy erupted after official invitations for the State-Level Holi Mahotsav 2025 referred to Dr. Naveen Kumar as the ‘Vice-Chancellor’ of CSKHPKV Palampur. However, the undeniable truth remains that he is the Head of the Department of Agronomy at CSKHPKV and is holding additional charges as Director of Research and Acting Vice-Chancellor until a regular VC is appointed. Labeling him as ‘Vice-Chancellor’ in an official government document is not only factually incorrect but a severe breach of administrative protocol.

Gross Negligence or Deliberate Misconduct?

This serious lapse raises pressing concerns about the accountability and efficiency of the responsible authorities, including high-ranking IAS and HAS officers who should have ensured accuracy in official designations. How could such a critical mistake be made when senior officials were directly involved in overseeing the event? This error reeks of either sheer negligence or an intentional effort to mislead the public. Such reckless disregard for official protocol must not go unpunished.

Demand for Immediate High-Level Probe

This misrepresentation is not just a clerical error—it is a violation of established administrative practices and demands immediate scrutiny at the highest level. The state government must launch a thorough and impartial inquiry to determine whether this was a deliberate act or a result of gross incompetence. Those found responsible, whether through negligence or intentional misconduct, must face strict disciplinary action to prevent such malpractices in the future.

The administration bears the responsibility of ensuring that designations and official roles are communicated accurately, especially in government-led events of state-level significance. Such blunders seriously undermine the credibility of government institutions. It is imperative that the Holi Mahotsav Committee, the state government, and CSKHPKV Palampur issue an immediate clarification and take corrective action without delay.

Shocking Display of Administrative Lapses

This incident also highlights a larger, deeply troubling issue—has the Himachal Pradesh government and its administration become habitually negligent in maintaining procedural accuracy? If such blatant distortions can occur in high-profile public events, what other misrepresentations and errors are slipping through the cracks in official documents and policies?

The citizens of Himachal Pradesh deserve an urgent response and a firm commitment from the administration that such serious lapses will never be repeated. Transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to protocol are non-negotiable in governance, and those failing in their duties must be held accountable without exception.

It is time for the authorities to act decisively and restore public confidence in the system.