Bastar, May 15 (NDTV): An IAS officer in Chhattisgarh has been issued notice for keeping his dark glasses on while greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's visit to Naxal-affected areas of the state earlier this month.

Amit Kataria, the district magistrate of Bastar, has violated IAS rules, the state's BJP government alleged in its notice.

Local media had reported that when the officer received Mr Modi on the air strip after he landed in Bastar on May 9, the Prime Minister had called him a "Dabang" or fearless officer. It was seen as appreciation of his work in a difficult region.

Mr Kataria had posted a picture of his handshake with the Prime Minister on his Facebook page. He is wearing a striped blue shirt and dark glasses in the photograph.

Bastar has begun to trend on Twitter with people questioning the notice to the officer, with many calling it "bizarre."

Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister Raman Singh has, however, defended the notice, pointing out that no action has been taken against him and another officer, who too has been issued notice for not following the dress code.

"The notice has been given as a warning that they must maintain protocol for the PM," Mr Singh said, adding, "All officers must maintain absolute integrity and do nothing unbecoming of a member of the service."

The state government has also issued notice to Dantewada Collector KC Dev Senapati who has been accused of not being in the prescribed dress code.

PM Modi made his first visit to the Bastar region on May 9 and was received on the air strip by both Mr Kataria and Mr Dev Senapati.