New Government Guidelines for MLAs and MPs: Officers Must Follow Strict Protocol

New guidelines instruct all ministry departments and staff to treat elected representatives with courtesy and proper protocol.

Government officer standing to greet an MLA inside an office according to new Government Guidelines for MLAs. — ***New rules mandate officers to stand and greet elected representatives. (File Photo)***

The state government of Maharashtra has issued special instructions to all administrative departments regarding elected representatives. All heads of departments, district chiefs, and office heads must follow these rules. Staff in government, semi-government offices, and corporations must treat MLAs and MPs with respect. Officers should show courtesy when these members visit their offices. The government order states that officers must listen carefully to their concerns. They should provide immediate help according to official rules and procedures.

Government Decision: Officers Must Stand to Greet Leaders

Officers must stand up to greet members of the legislature or parliament. They should do this when members arrive and when they leave. The order also mentions following proper etiquette while talking on mobile phones. Language used during calls must always be respectful and polite. Field department heads must reserve time for these representatives. They should keep two hours free on the first and third Thursdays. This time is for reviewing work and meeting elected members.

Print Names Correctly on Event Invites per Protocol

Local representatives must be invited to official events in the district. This includes groundbreakings or inaugurations of government projects. Ministers, Guardian Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and local body heads should get invitations. The Resident Deputy Collector must verify the names on the invitation cards. Names must be printed correctly according to official protocol. The government insists that these rules be followed strictly for every program.

Ethics Committee to Decide Rules for MLA Conduct

An Ethics Committee will now decide how committee members should behave. MLA Chainsukh Sancheti is the chairman of this new committee. Behavioral rules will be finalized after the committee submits its report. The committee includes members like Sudhir Mungantiwar and Deepak Kesarkar. This follows a controversy involving money found during a committee tour. The Chief Minister had ordered a deep inquiry into that incident.