Maharashtra Government Issues Protocol for Officials to Respect MLAs and MPs

Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Maharashtra government has issued new rules for its officials regarding interactions with elected representatives. From now on, officials are required to stand and welcome any MLA or MP who visits their office and to listen attentively to their concerns.

Key Guidelines for Officials

According to the new protocol, officials must:

• Stand to greet visiting MLAs or MPs in their offices.
• Interact with representatives courteously and attentively.
• Use polite language when speaking over the phone.
• Maintain a separate register for correspondence from MLAs and MPs and respond within two months. If a timely response is not possible, officials must escalate the matter and inform the concerned representative.

Accountability and Compliance

The state Chief Secretary, Rajesh Kumar, stated that respecting elected representatives is essential to build a trustworthy and accountable administration. Officials failing to comply with these rules may face disciplinary action. The new guidelines combine and expand upon previous circulars, providing clearer and stricter instructions.

Engagement in District-Level Events

Government and semi-government bodies must now invite local MLAs to district-level events such as inaugurations and foundation ceremonies. Invitations should accurately display the representatives’ names, and seating arrangements must follow official precedence.

Scheduled and Flexible Meetings

Departments are instructed to allocate two hours on the first and third Thursday of each month for meetings with citizens and elected representatives. For urgent matters, MLAs and MPs may meet officials at any time. Officials are also reminded to strictly adhere to legislative privileges when dealing with representatives.

Objective of the New Protocol

The move comes after some elected representatives expressed frustration over officials being unavailable or unresponsive to their concerns. The government emphasizes that good governance, transparency, and efficiency are priorities, and these rules aim to strengthen the working relationship between officers and lawmakers.