After representing the public and working for their welfare, legislators deserve to be remembered with dignity when they pass away, but the state government has been left red-faced several times, after forgetful officials failed to inform the state legislature of the demise of former or sitting members of the House. To avoid such embarrassments, the state has now decreed that officials must keep track of political representatives and report any deaths to the state legislature office within 24 hours, or face strict action.

Protocol demands that when legislators — former or sitting — pass away, tribute must be paid to them on the first day of the next immediate session. But there have been several lapses in this custom after the authorities failed to report deaths. To avoid such situations, the parliamentary affairs department has issued a directive to officials — right from district collectors to police patils (honorary police officer in the villages) and talathi (the junior most revenue officer in the villages) — to keep track of deaths of political representatives.