Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 21: In a move aimed at reinforcing decorum and protocol within government offices, the Maharashtra government has issued a fresh set of guidelines directing all employees to treat visiting Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with utmost respect — including standing up to greet them.

The new “government etiquette manual,” released by the General Administration Department (GAD), details how officers and staff must conduct themselves while interacting with elected representatives. The directives outline behavioural expectations, communication standards and meeting procedures.

According to the guidelines, officials are required to listen attentively to MPs and MLAs during visits and extend prompt assistance in line with government rules. Employees must stand and greet representatives upon their arrival and departure from any government or semi-government office.

During phone conversations, officials have been instructed to use polite and respectful language at all times. The government has also mandated strict timelines for responding to letters or queries from public representatives, with every office required to maintain physical or digital registers tracking such correspondence.

The protocol extends to government-related programmes as well. All public representatives — including Union ministers, state ministers, guardian ministers, MPs, MLAs and Zilla Parishad chairpersons — must be formally invited, with their names printed on invitations and seating arrangements made strictly as per protocol.

Regional and district heads have also been directed to reserve two hours on the first and third Thursday of every month exclusively to meet MPs and MLAs.

The GAD has warned that non-compliance with these instructions will attract disciplinary action against the concerned officers or employees.