Panaji, Aug 13 (IANS): The Congress in Goa on Tuesday demanded action against a state government joint secretary, after the official accidentally referred to Independence Day as Republic Day in a circular regarding sale of plastic flags.

"This is what happens when you have a Chief Minister travelling abroad to Russia on the eve of Independence Day. The officer who has issued this circular has to be immediately hauled up," Congress spokesperson Trajano D'Mello said on Tuesday.

Joint Secretary (Environment) Johnson Fernandes in a circular issued on Tuesday had said: "Please find enclosed herewith circular regarding ban on sale of Indian national flags made out of plastic materials on the occasion of the important National Days. You are kindly requested to take needful action in light of the ensuing celebration of Republic Day (Aug 15, 2019)".

D'Mello said it is shocking that such errors could occur in intra-government documentation in a "nationalistic government".

"On one side, the BJP talks about the pride of the country and then its government officers behave like this," D'Mello said.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is on two-day official visit to Russia, as part of a government delegation led by Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal.

Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry late on Tuesday issued a corrigendum, correcting the error in the circular.