Maharashtra Implements New Protocol: Officials Must Stand and Greet Visiting MPs and MLAs

The Maharashtra government has implemented new protocols requiring all government employees to show respect to visiting Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) by standing up when greeting them. This formal etiquette manual, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), establishes clear standards for employee behavior, communication practices, and meeting protocols.

In Mumbai, the GAD has outlined several specific guidelines. Government and semi-government employees must attentively listen to visiting MPs or MLAs and provide immediate assistance according to government regulations. Additionally, officers and employees are required to stand and politely greet these elected officials upon their arrival or departure from meetings.

The protocol mandates respectful and courteous language during telephone conversations with parliamentarians and legislators. It also establishes strict timelines for responding to correspondence from these officials. All government offices must maintain physical or online registers to document letters received from political representatives.

For government-related events, the guidelines require invitations to all public representatives, including Union and state ministers, guardian ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Zilla Parishad chairpersons. Their names must appear on event invitations, and seating arrangements must follow official protocol.

Regional and district heads are instructed to reserve two hours on the first and third Thursday of each month specifically for meetings with MPs and MLAs. The GAD has emphasized that any violation of these instructions will result in disciplinary action against the responsible officer or employee.