Why was saffron wall repainted? UP government asks Haj Committee, fires secretary

The Uttar Pradesh government has demanded a clarification from the UP Haj Committee over the re-painting of its office boundary wall.

The office wall was painted saffron and was repainted by the Haj Committee.

Uttar Pradesh minister of state for Muslim Waqf and Haj, Mohsin Raza, asked his department's principal secretary to get a clarification from UP Haj Committee's secretary.

"The boundary wall of the Haj Committee was given a saffron coat as per the directives of the secretary of Haj Committee of UP. A day later, the colour of the boundary wall was changed. Under which circumstances this was done is not clear," Raza noted.

A seven-point notice issued to the secretary of Haj Committee demanded a clarification on the same. The notice also sought an explanation on "whose orders was the boundary wall painted for the first time".

"When a saffron coat was already given, then under which circumstances there was a need to change the colour, and on whose orders was the colour changed?" Mohsin asked in the notice.

"Who was responsible for the ordering of the second coat of paint? And who will bear the cost for the second coat of paint?" the notice asked.

"Were any written orders issued to the contractor? According to the press release, some action was to be initiated against the contractor. Hence, what action has been initiated against the contractor," Raza demanded.

According to fresh reports, RP Singh, Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee, has been removed from his position. 

(With inputs from agencies)