Maharashtra govt amends protocol, no mandatory greeting by officers for MPs, MLAs in legal or poll-related cases
Mumbai, April 30
The Maharashtra government has issued a corrigendum to its November 2025 circular on according courtesy to Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly, clarifying that officials are not required to stand and greet public representatives in certain situations, including when they are involved in legal or election-related proceedings.
According to the revised government circular dated April 28, 2026, the earlier provision mandating officers to stand and greet legislators upon their arrival and departure from government offices has been modified with specific exceptions.
"In the above-mentioned Government circular, point no. 1.2 stated, 'Whenever a Member of the Legislature/Parliament visits or arrives at an office and leaves after completing the visit, officers should stand up and greet them,'" the circular noted.
It further stated, "Instead, point no. 1.2 shall now be read as follows: 'If a public representative has been convicted in a criminal or any other case, or has been called for inquiry/hearing as an appellant or party, or is present in a government office in connection with the election process (such as filing nomination papers, scrutiny, hearings, etc.), then in such situations, when the Member of Legislature/Parliament arrives or leaves after the visit, it is not necessary for officers to stand up and greet them.'"
The corrigendum added that in such cases, officials must treat public representatives like ordinary citizens. "In such cases, concerned officers are expected to treat public representatives like ordinary citizens, without any discrimination, in accordance with the law, rules, and prevailing circumstances," it said.
The circular is part of a revised and comprehensive set of guidelines issued by the General Administration Department regarding "giving of honour and courtesy" to legislators, consolidating circulars issued between July 27, 2015, and August 20, 2021.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I get the intention behind this, but what about MPs and MLAs who are simply accused but not convicted? The circular mentions "convicted" specifically, but later talks about those called for inquiry too. Seems like a grey area. Officers need clear guidelines to avoid confusion or misuse.
Honestly, this is long overdue. We've all seen how some MLAs throw their weight around in government offices. Treating them like ordinary citizens when they're involved in legal cases is the bare minimum. Hope this doesn't get challenged in court though! 😅
A step in the right direction, but what about the broader issue of VIP culture during elections? The EC should also ensure that candidates with serious criminal charges don't get special treatment even during election work. This circular is just a drop in the ocean.
As a tax-paying citizen, I fully support this. Why should government staff be forced to treat someone with respect when they're facing serious allegations? This also protects officers from potential pressure. Hope other states follow Maharashtra's lead. 🇮🇳
Wait, so if an MLA comes to file nomination papers, officers don't need to stand? That sounds a bit harsh. I mean, everyone deserves basic courtesy regardless of their legal status. The amendment could have been more balanced - still maintain decorum but without the ostentatious VIP treatment.
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