Thiruvananthapuram:
A circular asking women teachers to wear green blouses while attending an official function has kicked up a controversy in Thiruvananthapuram, prompting the government to suspend an official in the Education Department.
Department sources said KM Aliyar, District Project Officer of Sarva Sikshha Abhiyan (SSA), was suspended for issuing the circular, which triggered a row with some teachers unions alleging political motive behind it as green is the colour of the flag of Indian Union Muslim League, whose nominee holds the Education portfolio.
The circular had directed teachers to wear green blouses while attending the inauguration of a function connected with the SSA project at Ernakulam, the sources said.
The office of Education Minister PK Abdu Rabb, however, made it clear that the department had no connection
with the circular.
The Minister also directed the Secretary of the General Education department to take action against the official and hold an inquiry into the controversy. The function, scheduled for Tuesday, was cancelled.
A spokesperson for Mr Rabb said "this order appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Minister and the department."