Lucknow: A controversy erupted after mattresses with prints resembling Trinamool Congress flag were distributed to couples during govt’s mass marriage programme organised in Unnao on July 24.The administration was alerted on the issue and found the complaints to be true.The mattresses reportedly bore Trinamool Congress’s symbol, with ‘TMC’ also visible on some of them.Couples have been asked to return the mattresses and they will be given fresh ones in exchange.Chief development officer, Unnao, Krati Raj said that 459 couples were married during the programme and some of them received mattresses which had a design resembling TMC symbol on the packaging.“The matter was brought to our attention after the ceremony was over. District magistrate Ghanshyam Meena has formed an inquiry committee to be set up to look into the issue and has recommended that the company which supplied the mattresses should be blacklisted,” she said.A statement issued by the administration said that at the ceremony, each couple received two mattresses. “Among the 918 mattresses, the covers of one or two bore a design resembling the symbol of a political party. Based on this report, DM Ghanshyam Meena has taken strict action against those responsible. An FIR has also been lodged at the Kotwali police station in this connection,” the statement read.The Unnao CDO said that disciplinary action had also been initiated against the officer who received the mattresses and did not bring the matter to the notice of senior officers.A showcase notice has also been issued to the local district social welfare officer for the “serious lapse”, she said.A couple, who participated in the ceremony, told TOI on condition of anonymity: “We received the mattress wrapped in packaging which looked like TMC’s symbol. The administration has contacted us and asked us to return the mattress. We will be issued a fresh set.”
