Elected representatives in Maharashtra will now be treated as ordinary citizens when they visit government offices as an accused in a criminal case, for a hearing or inquiry, or when they come to file their nominations, scrutiny, or work related to the election process. The state's General Administration Department issued a circular on Tuesday, signed by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, amending Point 1.2 of a previous circular issued in November 2025.
Point 1.2 of the November 2025 circular had stated that when members of the legislature or Parliament visit a government office, officials should stand up and greet them upon arrival and departure. The new circular modifies this directive, specifying that if a public representative has been found guilty in a criminal or other case, or has been called as an appellant or party for inquiry or hearing, or is present in a government office in connection with the election process—such as submission of nomination forms, scrutiny, or hearing—then officials are not required to stand up and greet them. In such circumstances, officials are expected to treat public representatives like ordinary citizens, without any discrimination, in accordance with law, rules, and circumstances.
Congress MLA Amin Patel commented that even today, while filing nomination papers, representatives are treated as ordinary citizens, which he finds absolutely fine. The November 2025 Government Resolution (GR) had consolidated all previous GRs on how to interact with elected representatives, issued after several MLAs complained about not being treated with respect by government officers. BJP Mumbai unit president and MLA from Andheri West, Ameet Satam, said the fresh circular addresses very specific situations. He stated that if an elected representative has come as an accused, to record a statement, or to file nominations, the returning officer need not stand up and greet him to maintain neutrality and transparency, and he finds nothing objectionable in it.
