Panaji, Jun 23 (TOI): The Goa government has directed its officials not to attend any meeting called by public representatives at their respective residences.

Undersecretary, general administration, Varsha Naik, who issued the circular, stated that it has been brought to the notice of chief minister Manohar Parrikar that government officials participate in meetings convened by public representatives at the latter's residential or official premises during office hours thereby disrupting the functioning of the offices of the departments concerned.

She said that in order to ensure that the functioning of offices of various departments is not disturbed, the following guidelines are issued for strict compliance.

"Except the ministers, who may conduct meetings in their office or official residences, all such meetings shall be held at the offices of the concerned department or in the office of district collector/deputy collector and sub-division officer/taluka mamlatdars," she added.

She also said that any site visit by the officials with public representatives should be done with prior approval of the head of department only. "This is issued with the approval of the chief minister," Naik said.

The circular has been sent to all secretaries, heads of departments and additional secretaries, joint secretaries and undersecretaries.