Ensuring that protocol is duly followed and representatives are treated respectfully during their district visits has been a major concern for the Uttar Pradesh government, which has issued more than 12 orders and reminders in the past two years. “With the People’s Representative.
These instructions include providing them with seating arrangements decorated “according to their stature”, saving their contact details in officials’ mobile phones and replying to them promptly, what kind of chair or sofa for public representatives. including mention that should. At least equal to the authorities, if not greater.
In a recent reminder sent by the Appointments Department to all District Magistrates (DMs) and Divisional Commissioners (DCs), five such orders have been cited, asking them to ensure implementation of each of them and pointing out that complaints have been received for non-implementation. .
The Indian Express found more than a dozen orders in the last two years, which define in detail how bureaucrats should interact with public representatives.
One of these orders, which has been cited in a recent reminder by the appointment department, is dated October 3, 2023. The DM has been asked to ensure that all those government orders are “strictly followed” and the order states “how” all officers must mandatorily secure CUG numbers of Hon’ble Members of Parliament and Hon’ble Members of State Legislature or any other mobile number specified by them. Mobile and receive their calls when they come. In the case of being in a meeting/unavailable, after getting the information about the case that came on the phone, calling the public representative back as soon as possible with a message of priority and informing them on the basis of priority when solving the case that came on the phone. Call of Honorable Members”.
It added, “All the subordinate officers and staff working at the field level of the district will also be responsible for securing the mobile numbers of MPs and MLAs in their areas.” And if the above is not followed, the controlling agency has been warned that action will be taken according to the rules.
The order also defines the protocol to be received by public representatives when they meet officials in connection with public interest work.
“They should get up from their seats and receive a proper welcome/respect and respectfully request a drink of water. If the officers are unable to accept their request or suggestion while speaking to the honorable members, the officers will politely inform them of the reasons for not accepting their request. The office bearers are also expected to stand up and farewell the honorable members respectfully.”
This order and others cite that the people’s representatives have a “‘subsidiary warrant of precedent’ status, so their appropriate protocol should be of top priority.”
In another such order issued by the Parliamentary Affairs Department on October 7, 2024, officials have been asked to comply with the earlier “October 10, 2023” order and the next one dated January 5, 2024. It also cited the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker’s meeting with the people’s representatives. It is mentioned in the order that in the meeting held in September 2024, the people’s representative brought to the attention of the Speaker that how the people’s representatives are invited to the meeting held at the headquarters or district level. Officials sit on relatively tall and decorated (toweled) chairs, while ordinary chairs are reserved for honorable members or officials sit on sofas and hold meetings. Honorable members sit in the chair, it is highly objectionable.
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“Associate Warrant of Precedence” issued by the State Government has “certain/superior status of People’s Representatives”, such provisions are in violation of the same.
The order directs the authorities to “ensure dignified seating arrangements for inviting honorable MPs and honorable members of state legislatures as per their protocol to meetings held at headquarters/district level and arrange decorated chairs for the honorable members. ‘Members shall be seated as above. The order added, “Furthermore, If officers hold meetings sitting on sofas, arrangement should be made for honorable members to sit on sofas respectfully”, besides this, to ensure strict compliance of these orders and instructions, District Magistrates have been urged in this regard.
Not only the opposition but also the MLAs and MPs of the ruling party have been complaining that the district level officials have not listened to their complaints. According to the government sources, these orders and reminders came after continuous complaints about the people’s representatives not following the protocol during their visits to their areas.