The Noida Authority has taken swift administrative action, removing Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) Executive Director Mahendra Prasad from his post. This decisive move comes in the wake of revelations that the official NMRC calendar for 2026 prominently featured photographs of Prasad himself.
The Calendar Controversy
On Saturday, reports surfaced that the page for July in the NMRC calendar displayed two photographs of Mahendra Prasad, who also serves as an Officer on Special Duty in the Noida Authority. The images captured him walking in a corridor and addressing an event. Notably, July is the month of Prasad's birthday, which falls on July 5. The 2014-batch IAS officer defended the calendar's content on Friday, stating there was "nothing personal, nothing commercial" about it. He asserted it was done in the government's interest, adding, "It's not as if I have printed anyone's photo who does not hold an official post."
Immediate Replacement and Official Order
The removal was executed with immediate effect. In a letter dated January 9, the Noida Authority announced that Krishna Karunesh, the Authority's Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO), would replace Prasad as the Executive Director of NMRC. The order cited "the immediate interest of the Authority's work" as the reason for the change. The directive was issued with the approval of both the CEO of Noida and the Managing Director of NMRC Limited, Lokesh M.
Another IAS Officer's Photos Featured
Interestingly, Lokesh M, whose approval was part of the removal order, also found his photographs in the same calendar. Two pictures of the 2005-batch IAS officer were used for the month of April, which coincides with his birthday on April 3. One photograph showed him playing the sitar, while the other depicted him addressing a gathering.
Lokesh M claimed on Friday that his photographs had been used without his permission. He stated that upon learning of the matter, he issued a show-cause notice to the concerned officials. He clarified that the sitar-playing image was from when he performed Vande Mataram during Noida Authority's Independence Day celebration. However, a subsequent photograph emerged showing Lokesh M posing with the calendar featuring his pictures, surrounded by applauding officials. While he was unavailable for comment on Saturday, an official confirmed the show-cause notice was issued promptly.
Aftermath and Ongoing Scrutiny
The swift removal of Mahendra Prasad underscores the sensitivity surrounding the use of official resources and the perception of self-promotion within public offices. The incident has sparked discussions about protocol and propriety in government-backed publications. The Noida Authority's action highlights a strict stance against any potential misuse of position, even as the involved officials present differing narratives regarding the intent and authorization behind the calendar's content.
