29 September,2026 11:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra government on Monday issued revised guidelines directing civil servants to treat Members of Parliament and legislators with respect and courtesy, while warning that officials who fail to comply could face disciplinary action.
The order was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) under Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal. It follows strong displeasure expressed by the Assembly Privileges Committee on September 1 over what it described as inadequate implementation of earlier directions issued in November 2025 and April 2026.
The revised guidelines cover the conduct of government officials while dealing with MPs, MLAs and MLCs, as well as procedures for handling their correspondence, meetings and participation in official functions.
Under the new directions, government officials have been asked to maintain respectful conduct while interacting with MPs, MLAs and MLCs, including during telephone conversations.
Officials have also been instructed to listen to representations made by lawmakers and provide necessary assistance when they visit government offices.
The guidelines, however, specify circumstances in which the special protocol will not apply. Officials are not required to stand up or offer formal greetings when a legislator visits an office as an accused, appellant or party in a criminal or legal case.
The same provision applies when a legislator visits a government office for election-related administrative work, including the filing or scrutiny of nomination papers. In such circumstances, the legislator is to be treated in the same manner as an ordinary citizen, according to the order.
The government has also laid down procedures for handling letters and representations received from lawmakers.
All correspondence received from MPs, MLAs and MLCs is required to be entered in a separate register or in the VIP section of the e-office system. A final written response should ordinarily be issued within two months and signed by the designated authority.
Department heads have been directed to review pending correspondence every three months to ensure that representations from lawmakers do not remain unresolved for extended periods.
The guidelines also provide for dedicated interaction time between lawmakers and field-level officials. Such officials have been asked to reserve two hours on the first and third Thursday of every month for MPs and legislators to meet them and review local development works.
The designated meeting facility will be in addition to regular public visiting hours. The order also allows lawmakers to meet officials at other times during office hours in urgent cases.
The government has further directed officials to formally invite local and state-level MPs, MLAs, MLCs, mayors and Zilla Parishad chiefs to government functions. These include foundation-stone laying ceremonies and inauguration events.
Officials have been instructed to ensure that protocol arrangements and seating are properly followed at such functions. The correct spelling of lawmakers' names is also to be verified through the Resident Deputy Collector.
The government has further advised that official functions should generally not be scheduled while the state Assembly or Parliament is in session. If an event cannot be avoided during a session, it should preferably be held on a non-sitting day.
The revised guidelines also address requests for public-interest information and data from lawmakers.
Government officials have been directed to provide such information free of cost to MPs, MLAs and MLCs to assist them in discharging their parliamentary and legislative responsibilities. However, the provision remains subject to exemptions under Section 8(1) of the Right to Information Act.
The government said compliance with the revised directions would be monitored through the prescribed administrative mechanisms.
The order warns that officials who fail to follow the guidelines could face disciplinary proceedings.
Such action may be initiated against negligent officials under the applicable Maharashtra Civil Services Rules and the Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act, 2005.
(With inputs from PTI)
