Daman Administrator Praful Patel Under Fire for Weekend Office Operations

The move has triggered sharp criticism from Daman and Diu MP Umesh Patel, who questioned the administrator Praful Patel’s intentions and slammed the BJP’s local leaders for shielding him.

By Times News Network On Aug 1, 2025

Umesh Patel RTI complaint Daman and Diu administrator praful patel, the blunt times — Daman and Diu MP Umesh Patel has filed a complaint with the Central Information Commission against Administrator Praful Patel, alleging violations of the RTI Act, 2005

Daman, Union Territory – Union Territory Administrator Praful Patel is once again in the eye of a political storm after it was revealed that government offices in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, remained open during a weekend without any official explanation. The move has triggered sharp criticism from Daman and Diu MP Umesh Patel, who questioned the administrator’s intentions and slammed the BJP’s local leaders for shielding him.

“What kind of emergency situation arose that government offices had to remain functional on a weekend? Files were being moved around. What secret operations are being run under the guise of governance?” asked MP Umesh Patel during a press interaction.

The issue first came to light after Majid Ladani, BJP spokesperson in the Union Territory, unintentionally revealed the weekend functioning of government offices in a social media post. Ironically, Ladani’s post, meant to back the administrator, ended up exposing the irregular activity.

“The real question is — why are BJP leaders like Majid Ladani acting as the mouthpiece of the administrator? Every time I raise a question, the response comes not from officials, but BJP leaders. It shows how deep the political interference is in administrative affairs,” said Umesh Patel.

In a bold statement, Patel also questioned the luxurious new government circuit house in Daman, accusing the administration of charging exorbitant rents from the common public while the officials enjoy elite privileges.

“My official bungalow in Delhi is open to all — BJP, Congress, or any citizen. I serve everyone who knocks on my door. Perhaps the administrator should spend a few days with me in Delhi, meet real people, and understand what public service actually means,” Patel said, inviting Praful Patel to stay with him.

He further demanded clarity on why Gaurav Singh Rajawat, a transferred officer now posted in Lakshadweep, was called back to Daman and what confidential files were processed during the weekend activity.