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UP Govt passes directive on how to greet ministers

The directive requires all government officials to pay due deference to all MPs and MLAs

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In what seems to be a bid to 'empower' MPs and MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, the state's chief secretary Rajiv Kumar has passed a directive which requires all government officials to pay 'due deference' to politicians. The order also warns that if this 'deference' is not provided to the politicians, strict action will be taken against the offenders.

According to the directive, which comes as part of the Protocol of Public Representatives, if MPs and MLAs come to meet senior bureaucrats, the latter must stand up and welcome them, and do the same when seeing them off.

In addition, all phone calls of the people's representatives need to be taken at all times, even if the bureaucrat is in a meeting. Finally, the directive states, no officer can be the chief guest at any public function from now on, and public representatives must be invited instead.

The directive has understandably kicked-up a political storm. While state BJP leaders have justified the move stating it will ensure that bureaucrats do not treat ministers' orders with apathy — a practice that they say was increasingly occurring in recent times — politicians from the Samajwadi Party are furious with what they see as the government's bid to 'harass officers'.

Speaking to the media, SP party spokesperson Juhi Singh said, "This order has been issued only to put pressure on officers." She alleged that this was being done so that officers would be forced to carry out 'wrong orders' and be part of "nefarious activities that may be carried out by any BJP politician".

NEW RULES

  • The directive requires all government officials to pay due deference to all MPs and MLAs.
     
  • It also states that phone calls from ministers must be taken at all times, even if the officer is in a meeting.
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