The Maharashtra government has issued a circular stating that elected representatives will be treated as ordinary citizens when they visit government offices as accused in criminal cases, for hearings or inquiries, or for election-related work such as filing nominations and scrutiny.
Circular Details
On Tuesday, the state's General Administration Department issued a circular signed by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, amending Point 1.2 of a previous circular from November 2025. The earlier circular had mandated that officials stand up and greet legislators and Parliament members upon their arrival and departure. The new circular clarifies that this protocol does not apply in specific circumstances.
Revised Protocol
The amended Point 1.2 now reads: "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/hearing, or is present in a government office in connection with the election process (submission of nomination forms, scrutiny, hearing, etc.), then in such circumstances, when members of the legislature/Parliament come for a visit and when they leave after the visit, officials are not required to stand up and greet them. In such circumstances, the concerned officials are expected to treat public representatives like ordinary citizens, without any discrimination, in accordance with law, rules and circumstances."
Background
The November 2025 Government Resolution (GR) had consolidated all previous directives on interacting with elected representatives after several MLAs complained about not being treated with respect by government officers.
Reaction from Politicians
BJP Mumbai unit president and MLA from Andheri West, Ameet Satam, said the fresh circular addresses very specific situations. "If an elected representative has come as an accused, has come to record a statement or has come to file his nominations, then the returning officer need not stand up and greet him to maintain neutrality and transparency. I find nothing objectionable in it," he said.
