Maharashtra has directed government offices across the state to reserve two hours on the first and third Thursday of every month for meetings with MLAs and MPs, while clarifying when officials must follow ceremonial protocol and when elected representatives must be treated as ordinary citizens.
The directives, reported by The Indian Express, reinforce earlier instructions after the Legislative Assembly Committee on Privileges expressed displeasure over their poor implementation. The government has also instructed officials to respond to letters from elected representatives within two months and to provide prompt assistance for work-related representations, subject to applicable rules and procedures.
Under the revised instructions, regional department heads and office heads must reserve and publicly announce a two-hour window on the first and third Thursday of every month. These meetings will be held in addition to regular visiting hours and are intended to allow MLAs and MPs to raise issues connected with their work and review their progress with government departments.
The circular sets out how officials and employees should receive elected representatives when they visit government offices. They are expected to treat MLAs and MPs with respect and courtesy, listen to their representations and provide assistance within the framework of government rules.
It also specifies circumstances in which officials do not need to stand up and greet an elected representative. These include cases where the MLA or MP has been convicted in a criminal or other case, has been called for an inquiry or hearing as an appellant or party, or is visiting an office for election-related work such as filing nominations, scrutiny or hearings.
“On such occasions, the concerned officers are expected to treat public representatives like ordinary citizens in accordance with the law, rules, and circumstances, without any discrimination,” the circular said, according to The Indian Express.
The distinction places office protocol alongside the legal status of elected representatives and the purpose of their visit. While the government has reiterated that public representatives should receive courtesy and prompt attention, the circular also states that officials must follow the law, rules and circumstances applicable to each case.
The directions have implications for how citizens’ complaints and constituency-level issues move through the state administration. By creating fixed meeting windows, the government is attempting to formalise access between elected representatives and department officials rather than leaving such interactions entirely to informal visits or individual office practices. The material supplied does not specify how attendance, meeting outcomes or compliance with the two-month response requirement will be monitored.
The government has also reiterated protocol for official functions, including bhoomi pujan ceremonies and inaugurations. When such programmes are held in a district, Union and state ministers, ministers of state, the district guardian minister and elected representatives from all political parties are to be invited.
The list also includes MLAs, MPs, mayors, presidents of zilla parishads and municipal councils, and sarpanches. Seating arrangements at these events must follow official protocol, the circular said.
The revised directives follow the committee’s September 1 meeting, at which it expressed strong displeasure over the failure to strictly implement earlier instructions on dealing with public representatives. Regional department heads and office heads are now responsible for announcing the designated meeting windows and implementing the reiterated protocol.
