Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has issued a comprehensive government resolution mandating all state departments, semi-government offices, and government-controlled bodies to treat Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) with utmost respect and courtesy.
The circular issued by the General Administration Department directs all officials to rise and greet MLAs and MPs when they visit government offices and to listen carefully to their concerns, providing assistance in accordance with relevant government rules. “Telephone communication with these representatives must be conducted politely and respectfully.”
To ensure accountability, every office is instructed to maintain a separate register for all correspondence received from MLAs and MPs, with replies to be issued within two months. In cases where a timely reply is not possible, the matter must be escalated to the department head, and the concerned legislator must be officially informed. Department heads are also required to review all such correspondence every three months, the circular stated.
The circular further mandated inviting all relevant dignitaries–including central and state ministers, guardian ministers, local MLAs, MPs, mayors, district council presidents, and municipal chairpersons–to major government functions. Proper seating protocols must be observed during such events.
Additionally, department heads must reserve two hours on the first and third Thursdays of every month specifically for meetings with MLAs, MPs, and local citizens, although urgent matters can be addressed outside these designated times. The government advises avoiding major local-level programs during legislative sessions unless unavoidable, optimising attention on parliamentary work, it stated.
Strict compliance with legislative privileges committee recommendations is emphasized, with disciplinary action prescribed for violations under existing civil service rules. Information pertaining to welfare-related legislative duties must be provided free of charge to MLAs and MPs, except where restricted by the Right to Information Act, 2005, it added.